Science and research at the Oceanogràfic

The Oceanogràfic works for the conservation of marine biodiversity

Since opening in 2003, raising awareness, research and the development of programmes to contribute to the preservation of marine diversity have been a constant concern in the development of this the largest marine centre in Europe. The Oceanogràfic has a Research Department formed by professionals specialising in the maintenance, biology and health of marine fauna.

These professionals work on the various lines of research undertaken both inside the installations and in the natural environment. Ovarian stimulation in loggerhead sea turtles, a species in danger of extinction (research that is undertaken in collaboration with Rara Avis Biotec S.L.), the creation of the first Mediterranean marine species tissue bank (an initiative included in the Marine Health Project with the Universidad Complutense of Madrid) , or the Antarctic environmental impact assessment project, are just some of the lines set up. Also undertaken is assisted therapy with dolphins, an initiative that enjoys the support of support of the Pfizer company , bioacoustic studies on beluga whales and participation by the Oceanogràfic in the Regional Environmental Ministry’s cetacean detection programme on the coast.

The Oceanogràfic has medical laboratories equipped with the latest technologies and an Education and Research Building that houses the laboratories for the tasks of maintaining and conserving species, as well as the ARCA DEL MAR, a conservation and recovery centre. It also works with the Regional Ministry for the Environment and more than 70 institutions, among which are Official Centres, Universities, NGOs, Research Laboratories and private enterprises

Main research projects

Project to assess the potential and ability of sea lions to aid in rescue

The Oceanogràfic at the City of Arts and Sciences has come up with an idea that is a first in Europe and virtually a world first. It revolves around assessing the potential and ability of sea lions to aid in rescue tasks at sea. This potential could be tapped into by organizations that work at sea and that could see a real benefit in this type of action. The Oceanogràfic¿s intention is to bring its experience to possible partners or backers of the project. ...
'On site' programmes: BIOACOUSTICS. Study of cetaceans in the western Mediterranean

Bioacoustics provides an extraordinarily powerful tool for studying marine mammals and, in combination with traditional sightings, allows us to increase our knowledge on the behaviour of the different species of cetaceans that inhabit our coasts and of those that use them in their migratory passage. ...
Marine Health Project

The Oceanogràfic of the City of Arts and Sciences of Valencia with the collaboration of the Regional Environment Ministry and the Veterinary Health Surveillance Centre (VISAVET) of the Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM) manage the 'Marine Health' Project, whose aim is to improve the health of marine fauna in the Mediterranean. This research enjoys the collaboration of the Pzifer company. ...
Assisted reproduction study on loggerhead sea turtles

The Research Department of the City of Arts and Sciences Oceanogràfic in collaboration with the Rara Avis Biotec S.L company has managed, for the first time worldwide, to stimulate ovaries in reptiles, specifically in a loggerhead sea turtle, a species in danger of extinction. This work, in collaboration with the Regional Environment Ministry, has been developed to breed loggerhead sea turtles in captivity through assisted reproduction techniques, which until now have only been successfully applied to mammals. ...