Sustainability of renewable living resources

We determine the status of exploited marine resources by collecting and analyzing data on commercial species.

We monitor fishing activities and the effect of fishing on discards, bycatch and vulnerable habitats.

We assess the socioeconomic and ecological dynamics of fishing to ensure a proper balance between exploitation and conservation.

We provide solutions to the aquaculture sector to improve the reproduction, growth, immunocompetence and welfare of high-value farmed fish, mollusks and crustaceans. Solutions include environmental, nutritional and endocrine management of broodstock, as well as the use of different types of biomarkers (transcriptomic, epigenomic, lipidomicand metabolomic), to select the best-performing individuals.

We have developed protocols for the control of the proportion and early determination of sex infish, as well as biotechnological solutions to improve fish reproduction in captivity and to cryopreserve fish gametes and embryos.

We study the occurrence, distribution, ecology and conservation status of marine species, communities and ecosystems.

We develop and apply a variety of methods including DNA species identification, monitoring and tracking, analysis of ecological relationships with biogeochemical markers and biodiversity indicators using GIS, big data and ecosystem modeling.

We provide ecotoxicological and ecophysiological approaches to assess the effects of exposure to pollutants and to climate change on the physiology, reproduction, and health performance of a wide range of aquatic species.

We use monospecific, multi-specific, and ecosystem-based perspectives using marine ecosystem models.

We provide advice for sustainable commercial fishing, identification of marine protected areas, spatial planning, and improving of fishing gear selectivity as well as reduction of waste and seabed impacts.