The new website is an important step towards enhancing visibility, communication and scientific collaboration in its areas of activity.
CIMAR-LA — an associated laboratory that brings together two of Portugal’s leading marine research centres, CIIMAR (University of Porto) and CCMAR (University of Algarve) — is launching its new official website today, National Sea Day, an important step towards enhancing visibility, communication and scientific collaboration in its areas of activity.
Founded in 2002, the Marine and Environmental Research Centre, Associated Laboratory (CIMAR-LA) is part of CCMAR and CIIMAR, functioning as a structure that brings together the scientific and strategic efforts of both institutions.
CIMAR-LA’s main mission is to advance ocean science in Portugal, contributing to the implementation of national and European public policies in the areas of marine science and economics. The associated laboratory operates through synergies in several areas of activity: advanced training, policy and society, business and innovation, internationalisation and research infrastructure.
With the launch of its new website, CIMAR-LA reinforces its strategic objectives, namely:
Since its creation, CIMAR-LA has promoted scientific excellence and constant collaboration between its teams, with results of great relevance to marine science and society.
Among the most recent initiatives, the involvement of the CIMAR-LA community in an open letter to the Ministry of Environment and Energy stands out, advocating for the inclusion of the sea in the National Nature Restoration Plan, which gathered more than 600 signatories.
Another important milestone was the launch of the “Guide to Handling Sharks and Rays for Trawl Fishing Vessels,” a practical tool designed to reduce the impact of trawl fishing on vulnerable species in Portuguese waters.
In the field of advanced training, CIMAR-LA has promoted training programmes in European research infrastructures, notably the event “Exploring Marine Research Infrastructures: Access Opportunities by CIMAR-LA“, which introduced new platforms and opportunities for scientific collaboration to the CIIMAR and CCMAR communities in terms of European platforms and networks.
Still in the field of training, the BlueThink Conference, held this year at CIIMAR, enabled PhD students from both institutions to meet and discuss ideas, fostering contact and knowledge sharing among all.
CIMAR-LA teams carry out continuous and collaborative work in key areas such as biodiversity, global change, circular economy, blue growth, and open science.
Every year, researchers from the associated laboratory meet strategically to share and plan, in an effort to promote cooperation between teams and their respective institutions. The last meeting took place on 27 May 2025, at the CCMAR headquarters in Faro, and the next one will be held in Matosinhos, at the CIIMAR facilities.
CCMAR and CIIMAR invite all communities – scientific, business, political and civil – to visit the new CIMAR-LA website. A new digital space to explore lines of research, consult ongoing projects, access training opportunities and discover ways to collaborate with the Associated Laboratory.
