THE IUEM MARINE OBSERVATORY
At the beginning of the 21st century, the environment is a major scientific and societal issue.
Whether through climate change or multiple anthropogenic pressures (nutrient inputs, invasive species outbreaks, eutrophication, tourism, fisheries, etc.), the marine environment is particularly variable and is characterized by natural and anthropogenic fluctuations on extremely large spatial and temporal scales.
The entire scientific community agrees that one of the necessary conditions for describing and understanding the ocean and coastal environment, both in its physical and chemical aspects, but also in its biological and anthropogenic aspects, is to maintain specific long-term observation series, making it possible to resolve cycles of major variability (from the daytime cycle to seasonal variation and ten-year fluctuations), and to couple these observations to relevant targeted research actions.
The nature of this work, which combines technicality, knowledge and permanence, often requires that it be carried out by a body of research staff associated with observation professionals.
The Brest Marine Station (IUEM) has had the status of Observatory of Universe Sciences (OSU) of the National Institute of Universe and Environmental Sciences (INSU) since 1997 and allows the continuity of this work.
