The Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA) is a national public body, subject to the vigilance of the Ministry of the Environment, Territory and Sea. ISPRA contributes actively to the implementation of several EU Directives, such as the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC), the Marine Strategy (2008/56/EC), being member of committees and working-groups at national and European level.
Marine research activities in ISPRA are related to the following topics:
- environmental characterization of marine and brackish contaminated areas
- prevention, evaluation and mitigation of impacts (emergencies, environmental impact analysis)
- monitoring of the quality of the marine environment (water and biota)
- habitats and biodiversity
- coastal zone protection.