The National Institute of Marine Sciences and Technology (INSTM) is a government-funded research facility. It was founded in 1924 as the Salambo Oceanographic Station (SOS), and originally consisted of a research laboratory, a public museum, a library, and a reference collection of marine species.
The INSTM (Institut National des Sciences et Technologies de la Mer) is a Tunisian public research institute that is administered by the Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources, and Fisheries. It was founded in 1924 as the Salambo Oceanographic Station (SOS), and originally consisted of a research laboratory, a public museum, a library, and a reference collection of marine species.
Following independence in 1956, the former SOS was renamed the National Scientific and Technical Institute for Oceanography and Fisheries, or “INSTOP.” This epoch was defined by the establishment of the La Goulette and Sfax annexes, as well as the proliferation of research programs. INSTOP was transferred from the Ministry of Agriculture’s to the State Secretariat for Scientific Research and Technology’s supervision in 1992. The institute’s name has since been changed to the National Institute of Marine, Sciences, and Technologies.
It conducts research programs directly or indirectly related to the sea and its resources, such as fishing, marine environment, sea technologies, and oceanography, transferring expertise and research findings to policymakers, maritime professionals, and scientists, as well as contributing to the dissemination of marine culture and public awareness about the importance of protecting and preserving the sea and its biodiversity in Tunisia.
INSTM’s Marine Biodiversity Laboratory contributes to the conservation of marine life, sensitive habitats, and biodiversity. For marine turtles, the laboratory manages the marine turtle rescue center and the national stranding network’s marine turtle and cetacean-related activities since 2004. (www.rne.tn). Since 1997, the laboratory has also monitored nesting sites for marine turtles. The laboratory is currently conducting numerous studies on marine turtles, with a particular emphasis on bycatch.
- Phone Number: +(216) 71730420
- Fax: +(216) 71732622
- City: Tunis
- Address: 28, rue du March 2, 1934 -2035
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