CCMAR – Centre of Marine Sciences (Universidade do Algarve)

CCMAR, the Centre of Marine Sciences, researches marine ecology, biodiversity, paleoclimatology, ocean observation, aquaculture, biotechnology and fisheries management. It's a non-profit research organisation on the Gambelas campus of the University of Algarve, in Faro, and its mission is to understand, protect and explore the ocean. CCMAR holds Associate Laboratory status alongside CIIMAR. It employs around 200 staff, 80 of whom hold a PhD. Its laboratories and specialised facilities include a Scientific Diving Centre, labs for cultivating macroalgae and kelp, and microscopy platforms. As a partner in EMSO-Portugal, CCMAR contributes to a long-term ocean observation system along the Iberian Margin. This includes an autonomous observatory station south of Sagres, which continuously monitors ocean temperature, salinity, oxygen, turbidity, chlorophyll-a and currents. Science communication and education are part of the work too. The Ocean Education Unit organises citizen science projects and an annual Marine Sciences Fair, aimed at engaging students and the public with topics such as marine ecology, climate change and blue biotechnology. The centre also hosts international students, including through the IMBRSea programme, who get hands-on experience of marine research across several scientific disciplines. CCMAR's international research network spans more than 20 partner institutions worldwide, and it has over 40,000 followers on LinkedIn. The centre works to advance marine science in Portugal and Europe, and its research supports evidence-based decisions on ocean conservation and climate resilience.