Research Marine Centre in Santa PolaResearch Marine Centre in Santa Pola
The CIMAR lies at the foot of a fossil coral reef of Messinian age (approx. 5 million years ago) a beautifully preserved shaped atoll. Its ravines host representative species of the native vegetation of the area (Mediterranean dwarf palm, kermes oak, mastic, rosemary, esparto grass…), as well as a flora microreserve. The area closest to the sea is characterized by its halophytic communities of Limonium and marine fennel.
In the coastal marine areas, populated by a variety of fauna and flora in Rocky and Sandy funds, the meadow of Posidonia oceanica grows under its waters, a Mediterranean endemic marine plant of great biological and ecological importance as well as colonies of the sessile gastropod Dendropoma petraeum, protected by Spanish legislation.
Opposite the CIMAR, we find the Island of Tabarca, declared a marine reserve in 1986, the first on the Spanish territory.
Universidad de Alicante
Carretera de San Vicente del Raspeig s/n
03690 San Vicente del Raspeig
Alicante (Spain)
Tel: (+34) 96 590 3400Fax: (+34) 96 590 3464
