MEC/IEO

Partner 16: Spain, The Ministry of Education and Science (MEC/IEO) 

The Ministry of Education and Science is the Department of the General Administration in charge of the proposal and execution of Government policy regarding Education, Sport and Universities, as well as the policy of promotion and general coordination of scientific research and technological innovation.  The Secretariat of the State of Universities and Research assigned the following Public Research Institutes:

• Research Centre for Energy, Environment and Technology.
• National Institute of Research and Technology of Agriculture and Food.
• Spanish Institute of Oceanography.
• The Geological and Mining Institute of Spain.

The Ministry will be legally represented in MariFish by the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO).

The IEO is a Public Research Institution integrated into the Ministry of Education and Science (through the Secretary of State of Universities and Research), which has ultimate responsibility for management and funding of research.  The Marine Fishing Law (2001) states that IEO is the institution responsible for managing research and giving advice in relation to the fishing policy on behalf of the Spanish government.

Founded in 1914, the IEO is the only Spanish institution devoted entirely to fisheries and multidisciplinary marine research. Its activities are mostly centred around carrying out research and giving advice to the Spanish Administration on fisheries and marine-related issues. The IEO also represents Spain in international marine organisations, such as the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES). IEO scientists participate actively in most of the international commission’s dealing with fisheries assessment, marine pollution and marine environmental policy.

Role

• Co-leader of Work Package 6