The services offered by the CIM are available to the entire community, for both internal and external users. Interested users must submit their requests through the LIMS service platform. LIMS is the web platform used for requesting and monitoring the services offered. To access it, a user code and password are required, which must be requested from the Head of Service Access, Tania Tato.
The Toralla Marine Sciences Station (ECIMAT) is the main marine research infrastructure of CIM. It is a Research Support Center that offers cutting-edge facilities by the sea and a wide range of scientific and technical services.
ECIMAT is also a key element in CIM’s internationalization strategy. It participates in numerous international initiatives and is notable for its integration as one of the marine stations forming the Spanish node of the European infrastructure EMBRC-ERIC.
Located on the southern shore of the Vigo estuary, ECIMAT has laboratories and specialized equipment by the sea, technological platforms for marine research, supply of biological resources, processing and analysis of water, sediment, and marine organism samples, as well as direct access to the estuarine ecosystems.
ECIMAT has three types of spaces: areas assigned to research groups from the University of Vigo, common areas accessible to all users, and service areas accessible only to Station staff.
ECIMAT provides advanced support for marine research, ensuring access to high-level resources and infrastructures. As the main marine research infrastructure of CIM and the University of Vigo, its mission is to deliver efficient services and guarantee the availability of the necessary resources.
To achieve this goal and with the aim of strengthening the quality and continuous improvement of its services, it has implemented a quality management system based on the international ISO 9001 standard, which has been certified by independent entities since 2013.
The CIM mesocosm, located at ECIMAT, is a unique research infrastructure in Spain that allows the recreation of marine ecosystems under conditions close to natural. It features large tanks and outdoor experimental systems situated in an upwelling zone, reproducing pelagic and benthic conditions with precise control of temperature, salinity, and tidal cycles.
This setup enables detailed study of marine biodiversity, ecological processes, and the impact of climate change and pollution, combining the rigor of a laboratory with proximity to real marine conditions. Thanks to these capabilities, CIM has become a reference in marine experimentation and promotes collaboration with researchers at national and international levels.
Environmental Quality Unit
Person in charge: Tania Tato
taniatato@uvigo.gal
986 815704
Marine Culture Unit
Person in charge: Damián Costas
dcostas@uvigo.gal
986 815711
Oceanography Unit
Person in charge: José González
josegonzales@uvigo.gal
986 815710
Marine Environment Unit
Person in charge: Enrique Poza
epoza@uvigo.gal
986 815710
Responsible Research
Person in charge: Rosa Farto
rfarto@uvigo.gal
986 815710
Located in the Ría de Aldán, CIM’s raft is a unique platform that combines direct access to the marine environment with cutting-edge technology, allowing the study of ecological processes and the optimization of aquaculture in a sustainable and efficient way. Thanks to advanced sensors and real-time data transmission, researchers, students, and visitors can observe the ocean from a direct and dynamic perspective, connecting scientific rigor with the reality of the sea.
The CIM UVIGO oceanographic vessel is the first plug-in hybrid ship in Spain, designed for sampling in coastal and continental shelf waters. It is equipped with advanced scientific instrumentation, navigation systems, and provides biological analysis services, as well as real-time transmission of oceanographic data. This combination of technology and sustainability makes it a key platform for studying biodiversity, environmental impact, and climate change.
The CIM oceanographic fleet is complemented by light vessels to provide versatile and efficient access to the marine environment. Light vessels, under 8 m in length, such as Inndaga, Kraken, and Noctiluca, allow agile access to coastal, shellfishing, and port areas, facilitating sampling, surveys, and high-resolution studies in hard-to-reach locations.
The incorporation of an oceanographic glider with an operational capacity of up to 400 meters depth represents a significant qualitative leap in the CIM’s capabilities.
This equipment will make it possible to expand and optimize the use of the oceanographic vessel B/O CIM UVIGO by enabling long-range, long-duration autonomous missions that complement traditional oceanographic campaigns.
The glider will provide real-time time series of physicochemical and biological data, increasing the efficiency and scope of research, reducing operational costs, and improving the sustainability of the campaigns.
Its integration will strengthen CIM’s capacity to lead marine monitoring and observation projects, consolidating its role as a benchmark in oceanographic research at both national and international levels.
Its commissioning is scheduled for 2027.
