L'Ifremer, joins in "2011: Year of Overseas France"

Following proposals from the ‘National consultation on overseas territories’ and decisions from the inter-ministerial commission for overseas territories (CIOM) in November 2009, France’s president announced during his traditional New Year's greetings to the citizens of overseas France that 2011 will be ‘The Year of Overseas France’.

With its overseas territories, France is present across the globe and has the second largest maritime space in the world after the United States. France’s overseas territories make up 97% of the French exclusive economic zone (EEZ), i.e. more than 10 million km2. They harbour great natural wealth and the stakes are high for the sustainable utilisation of their resources, both current (mostly fisheries-related) and emerging (biodiversity and biotechnology, new aquaculture production systems, mineral and energy resources).

Specific commitments were made during the ‘Grenelle’ Marine Environment Forum’ in regard to overseas France and advocate enhancing observation programmes and adapting research efforts to local specificities and know-how as well as the size and diversity of the concerned environments. The consolidation of IFREMER's actions in overseas territories is also part of the commitments spelt out during the 'Grenelle Marine Environment Forum’ (commitment 135b).

For more information on Ifremer events in Overseas and the agenda, see the following press release:

See "Les nouvelles de l'Ifremer" n°120 (avril 2011) Outre-mer : Soutenir le développement socio-économique

Ifremer website : 2011, année des Outre-mer français