Faroe Marine Research Institute – FAMRI

The Faroe Islands’ economy and way of life are deeply tied to the sea. Fisheries and aquaculture make up the majority of exports, supported by rich marine ecosystems around the islands. To safeguard these resources, the Faroe Marine Research Institute have developed and maintain a comprehensive ocean observation program, with some records extending back over 100 years.

Today, advanced monitoring — from research vessels and buoys to satellites combined with novel imaging, molecular and sensor based approaches allow our scientists understand how climate and ocean changes affect oceanographic conditions, fish stocks, seabirds, and biodiversity. This knowledge is critical to ensure sustainable management of marine resources and strengthens the Faroe Islands’ role at the critical boundary between the Atlantic and Arctic oceans.

The observation program combines many tools: moorings and buoys track ocean currents and conditions, satellites monitor plankton blooms, ships and ferries collect data on water chemistry and marine life, and surveys measure fish populations and seabird colonies. Together, these efforts provide a picture of how the marine environment is changing.