Centre Ifremer Méditerranée
Site de Toulon
Type of Research Institution
 Intergovernmental  Academic
 Governmental, national  Private
 Governmental, local  Charity / Foundation
Address : Zone portuaire de Brégaillon
83507 La Seyne sur Mer FRANCE
Phone : +33 4 94 30 44 87
Web Site : https://mediterranee.ifr...
Director : Dr Vincent Rigaud
Contact person :
Claudiane CHEVALIER de Corbiac
Email : claudiane.chevalier@ifremer.fr
Number of permanent staff
 Scientists (with doctorate/ PhD) : 70  others : 150
Type of Activities
 Pure research  Academic
 Applied research  Education / Outreach
 Long-term monitoring  Policy / Planning / Consultancy
 Technology for environmental applications  Conservation & Protection
Main fields of research (at present - 6 max)
environment, contaminants, restoration; oceanography and ecosystems dynamic; marine biodiversity (exploitation and conservation); integrated multi trophic aquaculture; host pathogens interaction; under water systems and technology
Main research collaborations at international level (at present)
* Ifremer's expertise in the collection, management and analysis of marine data is internationally recognized, as evidenced by its role in the major United Nations programs devoted to ocean observation (GOOS, Argo …), ocean data management (IODE) and toxic algal blooms (HAB). Ifremer is a member of the Partnership for Global Ocean Observation (POGO). Ifremer works to ensure that expertise and knowledge about the ocean take their rightful place in intergovernmental negotiations and in major international events (UN Decade of Ocean Science, UN Ocean Conference, UN Conferences on Climate Change, Convention on Biodiversity). Ifremer is closely working with the International Seabed Authority. Ifremer has initiated more than ten partnerships with the main research institutions in the world: in the North Atlantic (NOAA, MPO), in the Pacific (JAMSTEC, Japan FRA, CSIRO /UTAS , CPS) or in the Mediterranean South (INSTM, INRH).
Ongoing long-term monitoring programs
* Marine environment quality, marine resources and contaminants (REMI, the network for testing the microbiological quality of shellfish from production areas; REPHYTOX: the phycotoxin monitoring network; REPHY: the phytoplankton and hydrology observation and monitoring network; ROCCH: the chemical contamination observation and monitoring network; REPAMO: the mollusc pathology network; RESCO and MYTILOBS: shellfish observation networks)
* The assessment of fisheries resources is carried out through various networks (Obsmer, Obsventes, Obsdeb, cruises) implemented by the Fisheries Information Systems laboratory (SIH). (Obsmer: observation aboard fishing boats; Obsventes: observation of the fish market; Obsbed: observation of landings)
* Research Infrastructure (EMSO : European Multidisciplinary Seafloor and Water Column Observatory; ILICO: French infrastructure for coastal research; JERICO-IR: Joint European Research; Infrastructure of Coastal Observatories)
Total area dedicated to research (m2)
30 000
Conference room
 no yes (number of seats : 60 )
Research vessel(s)
 less than 12 m in length; number of vessels : 10
  more than 12 m in length; number of vessels : 18
Brief description of vessels and on board scientific equipment :
Ifremer fleet (>12m length) is mutualized in the French Oceanographic Fleet.
The French oceanographic fleet brings together a panoply of research vessels, underwater vehicles and mobile equipment, giving it access to all the oceans and seas of the globe, outside the polar zone:
* Four offshore vessels (Marion Dufresne, Pourquoi pas?, L'Atalante, Thalassa) capable of carrying out oceanographic campaigns on all oceans (excluding polar areas). From 30 to 120 meters long, they can perform: bathymetric surveys of the seabed; deploy deep underwater systems to take samples, perform moorings and samples in water columns; to carry out (ship measurements en route (meteorology, current measurement, etc.); to carry out sedimentary coring (world record on the Marion Dufresne);
* Two semi-offshore vessels (Antea and Alis) carrying out oceanographic missions of physics, chemistry, fisheries, exploration of the water column and underwater mapping. These vessels operate in the Mediterranean, in the Indian and Tropical Atlantic Oceans, in the South West Pacific and overseas;
* Five coastal vessels (L'Europe, Thalia, Côtes de la Manche, Tethys II and Haliotis) used in the Channel-Atlantic and the Mediterranean for numerous and varied scientific campaigns with the ability to provide a continuum of means between the coast and the offshore
* Seven station ships, which can go out from one day to three days, for the most recent ones, spread over metropolitan seaboards: Antedon II (Marseille), Sepia II (Wimereux), Nereis (Port-Vendres), Neomysis (Roscoff), Albert Lucas (Brest), Planula IV (Arcachon), Sagitta III (Nice)
Other major research facilities and equipment
* Deep underwater vehicles, unique in Europe: a) such as the Nautile manned submarine, the Victor 6000 remotely operated vehicle and UlyX autonomous underwater vehicle capable of working at a depth of 6,000 meters, b) AsterX et IdefX autonomous underwater vehicles capable of working at a depth of 3,000 meters c) the hybrid remotely operated vehicle Ariane capable of working at a depth of 2,500 meters.
*  Mobile seismic or sampling machines;
*  Acoustic equipment, etc.
*  4 000m2 dedicated to aquaculture facilities with the Palavas Experimental Aquaculture Research Station
Ecosystem types available nearby
 Direct access to sea Direct access to brackish / estuarine waters
Areas of taxonomic expertise
 Seabass collection
Specimen collections
 yes no
Hosting facilities for visiting scientists
 yes no
Training courses
 yes no
Capacity and brief description of library
 

CIESM GUIDE OF COASTAL INSTITUTES IN THE MEDITERRANEAN AND ADJACENT SEAS
 Last update : 01/02/2023