The Institut Français de Recherche pour l’Exploitation de la Mer (French for 'French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea') or Ifremer is an oceanographic institution in France. A state-run and funded scientific organization, it is France’s national integrated marine science research institute.[2] Ifremer operates a number of research vessels and other vehicles, including the ROV Victor 6000 and the crewed submersible Nautile.[3]
Scope of works
Ifremer focuses its research activities in the following areas:[4]
- Monitoring, use and enhancement of coastal seas
- Monitoring and optimization of aquaculture production
- Fishery resources
- Exploration and exploitation of the oceans and their biodiversity
- Circulation and marine ecosystems, mechanisms, trends and forecasting
- Engineering of major facilities in the service of oceanography
- Knowledge transfer and innovation in its fields of its activities
In other words, Ifremer’s purpose is to:[5]
“Conduct research, innovate, and provide expertise to protect and restore the ocean, sustainably manage marine resources and ecosystems, and share marine data.”
History
- In 1985, Ifremer partnered with Dr. Robert Ballard for an ultimately successful expedition to locate the wreck of the RMS Titanic.[citation needed]
- In 1994 Ifremer assisted in the salvage of the cargo from the SS John Barry.[citation needed]
- In 2008, Ifremer partnered with Dr. Bruce Shillito for the testing and initial operations of the PERISCOP, a deep sea fish recovery device.[6]
- In 2023, Ifremer sent the Atalante ship and the Victor 6000 ROV to the rescue operation of the Titan submersible.[7]
Centres
Ifremer is located at 26 sites, including five main centres (Boulogne, Brest, Nantes, Toulon, and Tahiti), with headquarters at Brest. About twenty research departments are associated to these centres.[citation needed]
Gallery
-
-
Thalassa -
The Atalante in Tahiti -
L’Europe, in the Mediterranean, 2012 -
Le Suroît near Concarneau -
Cyana -
Pourquoi pas ? and Thalassa in Brest harbor
References
- ^ a b Ifremer: Presentation of the Institute
- ^ “Institut Français de Recherche pour l’Exploitation de la MER”. Eurofleets – An alliance of European marine research infrastructure to meet the evolving needs of the research and industrial communities. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
- ^ Update on Ifremer technological developments and operational feedbacks with underwater systems
- ^ “The French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea (IFREMER) | Tethys”. tethys.pnnl.gov. Retrieved 2025-10-10.
- ^ “Ifremer presentation leaflet” (PDF). 2024-05-15.
- ^ Lever, Anna-Marie (31 July 2008). “Live fish caught at record depth”. BBC News. Retrieved 18 February 2011.
- ^ “In race against clock, diving robot joins search for Titanic sub”. South China Morning Post. 2023-06-21. Retrieved 2025-10-10.
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
