About IIM

The Institute of Marine Research (IIM-CSIC) is one of the main marine research centers in the Iberian Peninsula. Looking at the Atlantic from Vigo, a city with a strong connection with the sea, the IIM-CSIC faces the challenge of increasing our knowledge about the ocean, from its physical characteristics to the food we take from it and the processes that bind the whole system together.

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Research

Research is at the core of the Institute of Marine Research's work. Working along 3 Core Research Themes, which intertwine and connect to each other, the researchers and technicians at the IIM-CSIC look for answers within 9 different research lines.

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Innovation

While our research provides us with new knowledge about our sea and shores, at the Institute of Marine Research we are committed to go a step further, creating new collaborations with the industry and other economic activities, be they already 'established' industries, such as fisheries or aquaculture, or 'emerging' ones, such as ocean observation.

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Society

Science is not complete until it is shared with society. As a public research institution, the IIM understands that its commitment is with society, fostering a two-way relationship with its surrounding community and an open perspective on science.

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Work & Study

Marine scientists, lab technicians, biologists, chemists and engineers, but also economists, lawyers or communicators (both working and in training) contribute to the interdisciplinary nature of our center. With more than 200 employees, the IIM-CSIC is a large community of people who work together for the sake of science, knowledge and sustainability.

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News & Events

Do you want to be aware of the latest at the IIM? The Institute has a whole team involved in communication & outreach, sharing all news that arise and organizing events to reach all sectors of society: from other peers working in science to children in schools or our neighbors from Vigo.

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Ecophysiology, Biomarkers & Sustainable Management of Bivalves

The Galician blue economy couldn't be understood without bivalves.

From mussels grown on the countless mussel farms found in 'rias' (estuaries) to scallops and clams, bivalves are one of the keystones of the region's aquaculture. Their strategic importance calls for the comprehensive study of ecological interactions of farmed bivalves to assess the effects that climate change could have on their culture and to develop new and more sustainable tools for aquaculture management.

Following this line of work, the IIM-CSIC's Ecophysiology, Biomarkers & Sustainable Management of Bivalves group (also known as 'EsMaBa') researches this strategic field of study, with a particular focus on mussels (Mytilus spp.).

The research team works to understand the ecophysiology of bivalves, that is, how their physiology is affected by environmental conditions, and to develop new methods for the continuous measurement of ecological parameters surrounding farmed animals, such as valvometry. For instance, the group studies the biochemistry of bivalve secretions, such as byssus or shells, and how the environment determines their strength, a key factor, particularly to ensure proper attachment of mussels to culture raft ropes.

Based on these ecophysiological studies, the group is able to determine the impact of climate and global change, bioinvasions or other threats on exploited bivalve species, as well as to model ecosystem carrying capacity, thus generating new aquaculture management tools with an ecosystem perspective.

7
staff
1.42 M
€
funding*
12
projects & contracts*
*data from the last 5 years
Research
Lines
Projects
Publications
  • Mangano, M.C.; Berlino, M.; Corbari, L.; Milisenda, G.; Lucchese, M.; Terzo, S.; Bosch-Belmar, M.; Azaza, M.S.; Babarro, J.M.F.; Bakiu, R.; Broitman, B.R.; Buschmann, A.H.; Christofoletti, R.; Dong, Y.; Glamuzina, B.; Luthman, O.; Makridis, P.; Nogueira, A.J.A.; Palomo, M.G.; Dineshram, R.; Sanchez-Jerez, P.; Sevgili, H.; Troell, M.; AbouelFadl, K.Y.; Azra, M.N.; Britz, P.; Carrington, E.; Celi¿, I.; Choi, F.; Qin, C.; Dionísio, M.A.; Dobroslavi¿, T.; Galli, P.; Giannetto, D.; Grabowski, J.H.; Helmuth, B.; Lebata-Ramos, M.J.H.; Lim, P.T.; Liu, Y.; Llorens, S.M.; Mirto, S.; Pe¿arevi¿, M.; Pita, C.; Ragg, N.; Ravagnan, E.; Saidi, D.; Schultz, K.; Shaltout, M.; Tan, S.H. (2022) The aquaculture supply chain in the time of covid-19 pandemic: Vulnerability, resilience, solutions and priorities at the global scale Environmental Science and Policy DOI:10.1016/j.envsci.2021.10.014
  • Rodríguez-Velarte, P.; Babarro, J.M.F.; Cobelo-García, A. (2022) Bioaccumulation patterns of trace elements by native (M. galloprovincialis) and invasive (X. securis) mussels in coastal systems (Vigo Ria, NW Iberian Peninsula) Marine Pollution Bulletin DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113463
  • Sánchez-Jerez, P.; Babarro, J.M.F.; Padin, X.A.; Longa Portabales, A.; Martinez-Llorens, S.; Ballester-Berman, J.D.; Sara, G.; Magano, M.C. (2022) Cumulative climatic stressors strangles marine aquaculture: Ancillary effects of COVID 19 on Spanish mariculture Aquaculture DOI:10.1016/j.aquaculture.2021.737749
  • G. Sar aa; M. C. Manganob; M. Berlinoa; L. Corbaria; M. Lucchesea; G. Milisendab; S. Terzoa; M. S. Azazac; J. M. F. Babarro; R. Bakiue; B. R. Broitmanf; A. H. Buschmanng; R. Christofolettih; A. Deiduni; Y. Dongj; J. Galdiesi; B. Glamuzinak; O. Luthmanl; P. Makridism; A. J. A. Nogueiran; M. G. Palomoo; R. Dineshramp; G. Rilovq; P. Sanchez-Jerezr; H. Sevgilis; M. Troellt; u; K. Y. AbouelFadlv; M. N. Azraw; P. Britzx; C. Brugerey; E. Carringtonz; I. Celi caa; F. Choiab; C. Qinac; T. Dobroslavi ck; P. Galliad; D. Giannettoae; J. Grabowskiab; M. J. H. Lebata-Ramosaf; P. T. Limag; Y. Liuah; S. M. Llorensai; G. Maricchioloaj; S. Mirtoak; M. Pe carevi ck; N. Raggal; E. Ravagnanam; D. Saidian; K. Schultzab; M. Shaltoutao; C. Solidoroaa; S. H. Tanap; V. Thiyagarajanaq; B. Helmuthab (2022) The Synergistic Impacts of Anthropogenic Stressors and COVID-19 on Aquaculture: A Current Global Perspective Reviews in Fisheries Science and Aquaculture DOI:10.1080/23308249.2021.1876633
  • Vázquez E; Woodin SA; Wethey DS; Peteiro LG; Olabarria C (2021) Reproduction Under Stress: Acute Effect of Low Salinities and Heat Waves on Reproductive Cycle of Four Ecologically and Commercially Important Bivalves FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE DOI:10.3389/fmars.2021.685282
Theses
  • TFM - Hugo Marques Feio (30/08/2021) Effectoftemperatureandsedimentdisturbanceonecophysiologicalresponsesoftheinfaunalclam Polititapes rhomboides Université de Nantes
  • PhD - Jihene Lassoued (18/02/2021) Étude des sécrétions coquillère et byssale de la moule Mytilus galloprovincialis: Influence de l¿augmentation de la température et de l¿acidification de l¿eau et possibilités de valorisation Institut National Agronomique de Tunisie
  • TFM - Hamza El Morabet (04/03/2016) Shell thickness as protective tissue of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis: effect of cultivation site and culture depth Universidade de Vigo (UVIGO)
  • TFM - Juan Ramón Suárez García (03/03/2016) Análisis macro- y micro-geográfico de la fortaleza de sujeción del mejillón (Mytilus galloprovincialis) en cultivo UdC
  • PhD - Jade Irisarri Cal (15/04/2015) Integration of physiological energetics, biometrics, proximate composition and fatty acids as biomarkers to assess the utilization of fish feed waste by mussels growing near fish cages, UNIVERSIDAD DE VIGO
Innovation
Sectors
Contracts
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Society

Team

Head of Group

PostDoc Researcher

Research Support Technicians

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