José Benito Vives de Andréis Marine and Coastal Research Institute

Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras,
José Benito Vives de Andréis

José Benito Vives de Andréis Marine and Coastal Research Institute
Agency overview
Formed	22 December 1993 (1993-12-22)
Preceding agency	Punta Betín Marine Research Institute
Headquarters	Calle 25 № 2-55, Playa Salguero Santa Marta, Magdalena, Colombia
Motto	"Colombia 50% sea"
Agency executive	Francisco Armando Arias Isaza, Director
Parent agency	Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development
Website	www.invemar.org.co

The Marine and Coastal Research Institute "José Benito Vives de Andréis" (INVEMAR) is a nonprofit marine and coastal research institute of Colombia,^[1] linked to the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development.^[2] They edit the journal Boletín de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (the Bulletin of Marine and Coastal Research).^[3] It is located in Playa Salguero, in Santa Marta,^[4] and is named after José Benito Vives de Andréis, a well-known local politician involved different aspects of the city's development.^[5] Their institutional motto "Colombia 50% sea" refers to the extensive jurisdictional maritime area the country has.^[6]

INVEMAR is currently led by director general Francisco Armando Arias Isaza, a navy officer and marine biologist with a PhD in Coastal Zone Management.^[7]

Purpose and function

Site of the INVEMAR, in Santa Marta

The mission of INVEMAR is to carry out basic and applied research on the environment and renewable resources in marine and oceanic ecosystems of Colombia, to provide the scientific knowledge for the sustainable management of the resources, the recovery of the marine and protection of coastal ecosystems.^[8]

Among its objectives are to advise other governmental agencies on the use of natural resources and conservation of coastal and marine ecosystem, to liaise with the Ministry of Environment, and strengthen scientific and research capabilities in Colombia.^[8]

Research programs

Biodiversity and Marine Ecosystems

This program is in charge of the inventory of the marine and coastal biodiversity of Colombia. It also manages the Museum of Marine Natural History of Colombia Makuriwa.^[9]

Marine Environmental Quality

This program focuses on the impact of natural and anthropogenic activities on marine and coastal ecosystems.^[10]

Marine and Coastal Geoscience

This program studies geographical and physicochemical aspects of coastal and oceanic systems, and how they are influenced by Colombia's productive processes.^[11]

Valuation and Use of Marine and Coastal Resources

José Benito Vives de Andréis and his family

This program deals mainly with the sustainable use and production in coastal environments, and the application of related products in health and industry.^[12]

Public engagement and outreach

INVEMAR manages Makuriwa, the Museum of Marine Natural History of Colombia; its name comes from the Ikun language of the Arhuaco indigenous populations.^[13] Their purpose is to share their research and knowledge about the Colombian coastal and oceanic ecosystems, to promote the rational use of resources by scientists, policy makers and the general public.^[14]

They also engage the public using social media, through their Twitter and Instagram accounts.

References

1. "MinCiencias - Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras José Benito Vives de Andreis". Retrieved 24 November 2020.
2. "Institute of marine and coastal research "José Benito Vives de Andreis" (INVEMAR)". Alexander von Humboldt Biological Resources Research Institute. Archived from the original on 2012-08-02. Retrieved 2010-11-10.
3. "About the Journal". INVEMAR. Archived from the original on 21 October 2019.
4. Marine and Coastal Research Institute "Jose Benito Vives de Andreis". "INVEMAR - History". Retrieved 24 November 2020.
5. El Informador - newspaper. "José Benito Vives De Andréis" (in Spanish). Retrieved 24 November 2020.
6. "INVEMAR - Colombia 50% ocean".^{[permanent dead link‍]}
7. "INVEMAR - Organizational Chart". Retrieved 24 November 2020.^{[permanent dead link‍]}
8. "INVEMAR - Who are we". Archived from the original on 23 March 2019. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
9. "Museo Makuriwa" (in Spanish). Retrieved 24 November 2020.
10. "Marine Environmental Quality Research Program". INVEMAR. Archived from the original on 23 October 2020. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
11. "Marine and Coastal Geoscience Research Program". INVEMAR. Archived from the original on 29 September 2020. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
12. "Evaluation and Use of Marine and Coastal Resources Program". INVEMAR. Archived from the original on 29 September 2020. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
13. "Museo Makuriwa - Acerca de nosotros" (in Spanish). Retrieved 24 November 2020.
14. "Museo Makuriwa - Nuestra pasión" (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 11 August 2020. Retrieved 24 November 2020.

External links

• INVEMAR on Twitter
• INVEMAR on Instagram