" CIESM is dedicated to research at the frontiers of marine science. Understanding the processes and changes that govern the functioning of the Mediterranean Sea and affect its interaction with growing coastal populations is one of its primary missions ..."

CIESM Programs usually originate from recommendations of Research Workshops; they are carried out at the whole Basin scale, with a medium- to long-term horizon. The participating scientists from various coastal countries use rigorously similar protocols for sampling and analysis.

At the moment eight programs, involving a large number of associated research institutes in CIESM Member States, monitor parameters of importance for understanding the changing dynamics, biodiversity, hydrology and health of the Mediterranean and Black Seas: Jellywatch, Hydrochanges, Atlas of Exotic Species, MedGloss, Tropical Signals, Musselwatch, and PartnerSHIPS.

Other Collaborative Projects: CIESM is part of the MARCOM+ consortium of international organizations active in the sectors of the marine research/ maritime industry sector. This program, initiated in January 2010 and financed by the EU, develops new cross-sectoral partnerhips and will make recommendations for innovative tools enhancing integrated maritime policy.

The large scientific gene pool of the Commission -- more than 2000 researchers in over 30 countries -- is structured into six Committees: Marine Geosciences, Physics and  Climate of the Ocean, Marine Biogeochemistry, Marine Microbiology and Biotechnology, Marine Ecosystems and Living Resources, Coastal Systems.

They organize research workshops, mostly focused on emerging scientific issues, communicate significant discoveries, identify remaining gaps in knowledge, provide impartial analyses of oceanographic trends, and engage in cooperative initatives at the interface between marine disciplines.