Cépralmar

What Cépralmar does

Cépralmar (Centre d'Étude et de Prestations sur les Ressources Aquatiques) is a non-profit regional technical center headquartered in Sète, Occitanie, France, dedicated to professional fishing and marine aquaculture in the Mediterranean. The organization was founded in 1978 (with firmographic records citing 1981) and operates under a "d'intérêt général" mandate, delivering expertise to professionals and management structures across the regional industry, which encompasses the second-largest French fishing fleet and 530 conchyliculture businesses. Its core services span studies and research, field expertise, project engineering, monitoring programs, and technical-economic assessments of marine resources, fishery products, and aquaculture systems.

Its technical platform is built around long-running monitoring programs — most notably the Conchylicole Observatory (launched 2021) tracking shellfish performance, hydrobiology and environmental parameters across Mediterranean lagoons — combined with targeted R&D projects in species diversification (HOLOSUD sea cucumber, AURA LIZA grey mullet), fleet decarbonization (HYPEMO vessel hybridization), and marine environmental monitoring (AZA4ICE harmful algal blooms). These projects are conducted in partnership with public research bodies (IFREMER, CNRS, Universités de Montpellier and Perpignan, CSIC, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research) and with regional industry committees (CRPMEM, CRCM, SMBT).

Cépralmar is financed primarily through public grants: European funds (FEAMP and now FEAMPA), the French State, Région Occitanie, and the departmental councils of Hérault, Pyrénées-Orientales, Aude, Gard, Haute-Garonne, Ariège, Tarn, Tarn-et-Garonne, Lot and Lozère. Its revenue model is therefore grant-driven rather than fee-for-service, with multi-year programmatic alignment governed by the 2024-2026 regional sector contract signed in September 2024 by 41 regional signatories. The organization operates with a small specialized team (~9-10 staff) and acts as the operational technical arm for the regional fishing and aquaculture ecosystem.

Name

Cépralmar

Legal name

Cépralmar

Website

https://cepralmar.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Cépralmar is a non-profit regional technical center in Sète, Occitanie, that provides R&D, monitoring, and advisory services to the Mediterranean professional fishing and marine aquaculture sectors, serving ~530 shellfish farms and the second-largest French fishing fleet under public grant funding.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fisheries and Aquaculture Technical Services

NAICS

Shellfish Farming (112512), Aquaculture (11251), Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Support Activities for Animal Production (11521)

SIC

Agricultural Prod-Livestock & Animal Specialties (200), Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAIAMAI

Coastal & Marine Resources Administration (Oceans, Fisheries, Shorelines)

Business & Public Services/Public Sector & Government Administration/Environmental Protection & Natural Resources Administration

SECONDARYAFAEAAAK

Aquaculture Health, Biosecurity & Veterinary Services

Agriculture & Food Production/Animal Production & Aquaculture/Aquaculture (Fish & Shellfish Farming)

SECONDARYBPADALAI

Oceans, Coastal & Marine Resource Management

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/Climate, Environment & Sustainable Development Programs

SECONDARYAFALAMAL

Seafood & Aquaculture Certification Services (MSC/ASC/BAP)

Agriculture & Food Production/Food Safety, Testing & Certification/Certification Services (Organic, Non-GMO, etc.)

Keywords

• Regional technical center
• Shellfish farming monitoring
• Marine aquaculture research
• Fisheries expertise services
• Lagoon resource assessment

Headquarters

HQ city

Sète

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Public Funding: Cépralmar operates as a regional technical center funded by public sources including European funds (FEAMP/FEAMPA), national government (État), and regional/local authorities (Région Occitanie, departments).

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Cépralmar is a regional technical center providing technical expertise, monitoring programs, and sector coordination for the fishing, shellfish farming (conchyliculture), and marine aquaculture sectors in Occitanie, France. Its core deliverables include monthly shellfish performance monitoring (Observatoire Conchylicole), resource stock assessments (POP, PALTEVA), aquaculture development projects (AURA LIZA, HOLOSUD/HOLONURS/HOLOPROD), and fishing fleet innovation studies (HYPEMO, IN OVO), delivered to regional professionals and management structures free of charge under public funding.

Product overview

Cépralmar is a regional study center that does not operate a unified software product or platform. Its offerings consist of service-based activities, monitoring programs, and research projects for the fishing and shellfish farming sectors in Occitanie. The main programs include the shellfish observatory (Observatoire Conchylicole) providing monthly performance data on cultivated species; resource monitoring programs like POP tracking clams, sea urchins, and murex populations; aquaculture development projects for sea cucumbers (HOLOSUD, HOLONURS, HOLOPROD) and grey mullet (AURA LIZA); and fishing innovation initiatives such as the HYPEMO hybridization study and IN OVO spawning support structures. These programs collectively serve regional professionals through expertise provision, project management, and sector coordination rather than a productized software offering.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Observatoire conchylicole: Shellfish observatory monitoring performance (mortality, growth, flesh rate) of oysters and mussels in Thau and Leucate lagoons since 2021
• PALTEVA
• AURA LIZA
• POP (Palourdes-Oursins-Poivres)
• HYPEMO
• HOLONURS
• HOLOPROD
• HOLOSUD
• AZA4ICE
• Contrat de filière pêche et pisciculture marine Occitanie 2024-2026
• SIPEN
• IN OVO
• PEEXNAC
• VARA
• FILIPECH
• RECYPECH
• PROSPECTCHAMED
• NATIUSTRA
• EXONDEX
• FILMS 360

Products and services

• Observatoire Conchylicole Ongoing monthly shellfish monitoring service tracking mortality, growth, and flesh rate for cupped oyster, flat oyster, and Mediterranean mussel across Thau and Leucate lagoons, delivered to Occitanie shellfish farming professionals as part of the national CTR shellfish observatory network.
• POP (Palourdes-Oursins-Poivres) Bi-annual field monitoring program assessing exploited resources (clams, sea urchins, murex) in Thau lagoon across 38 sampling points, including sediment sampling and biometric measurements, for regional fisheries management stakeholders.
• SIPEN Inter-regional monitoring program comparing survival and growth performance of oyster seed from different origins across major French oyster-farming basins, delivered in collaboration with peer Regional Technical Centers (CAPENA, SMIDAP, SMEL).
• Suivi Moules en Mer Standardized data collection program for sea-based mussel production across the farming cycle, providing zootechnical reference data to Occitanie mussel farmers and regional shellfish committees.
• ECO2 Decision Support Tool Economic decision-support tool (outil d'aide à la décision) for mussel and oyster farming enterprises to analyze production costs and compare performance with peer businesses.
• AURA LIZA Grey Mullet Aquaculture R&D program validating grey mullet (Mugilidae) aquaculture using the In-Pond Raceway System (IPRS) in Occitanie lagoons, in partnership with Lizalg and Ferme Marine des Aresquiers.
• PALTEVA Clam Stock Assessment Clam stock assessment project delivering the first comprehensive evaluation of European clam populations in Thau lagoon, providing baseline data for restoration research and fisheries management.
• HOLONURS Sea Cucumber Juvenile Production Aquaculture R&D program validating sea cucumber (Holothuria tubulosa) juvenile production in hatchery-nursery settings and developing a functional protocol for pilot-scale production.
• HOLOPROD Sea Cucumber Production Aquaculture R&D program conducting natural growth trials of sea cucumber in enclosures across Prévost, Thau, Salins de Gruissan, and Tamaris bay lagoons.
• AZA4ICE Sustainable Aquaculture European aquaculture project identifying appropriate zones and promoting sustainable, circular aquaculture practices across inland and coastal waters, applied to the Thau lagoon context.
• HYPEMO Hybrid Fishing Vessel Feasibility study for hybrid electric propulsion systems tailored to small-scale Occitanie fishing vessels, with onboard continuous sensors measuring fuel consumption and operational data.
• IN OVO Cephalopod Spawning Support Program deploying temporary submerged technical structures to support recruitment of cuttlefish and squid by enabling egg-laying on hard substrates, supporting sustainable coastal fishing in the Gulf of Lion.

Quantifiable outcome

• 530 conchyliculture businesses supported representing 10% of national production
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• IFREMERcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor French marine research institute. Cépralmar collaborates with IFREMER on shellfish farming research, sea cucumber aquaculture projects (HOLOSUD, HOLONURS, HOLOPROD), and clam stock assessment (PALTEVA).
• SMBT (Syndicat Mixte du Bassin de Thau)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThau Basin Mixed Union. Cépralmar works with SMBT on lagoon observation networks and shellfish resource monitoring, particularly for the PALTEVA clam study.
• CRPMEM OccitaniecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional Committee of Marine Fisheries and Marine Farming. Primary professional organization representing fishermen in Occitanie, co-developing sector contracts and fishing resource projects.
• CRCM (Comité Régional de la Conchyliculture de la Méditerranée)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional Shellfish Committee representing Mediterranean shellfish farmers. Cépralmar partners on shellfish farming research, observation systems, and sector development projects.
• Lycée de la Mer Paul BousquetminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMaritime vocational school in Sète. Provides technical support for aquaculture experiments and serves as a site for shellfish farming trials.
• Groupe BarbamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor seafood production company. Co-develops sea cucumber (holothurian) aquaculture projects including HOLOSUD, HOLONURS, and HOLOPROD for establishing new aquaculture sector.
• CAPENA, SMIDAP, SMELmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional Technical Centers (CTRs) for shellfish farming across France. Cépralmar collaborates on inter-regional shellfish performance monitoring (SIPEN) and the shellfish observatory network.
• Prud'homie de Thau-IngrillminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraditional fishermen's guild for Thau-Ingrill lagoon. Partner in PALTEVA project for clam stock assessment in the lagoon.
• Pôle Mer MéditerranéecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCompetitiveness cluster for Mediterranean maritime industries. Labels and supports innovative projects including HOLONURS, HOLOPROD, and AZA4ICE aquaculture projects.
• Région OccitaniecoreOthersPrincipal regional authority funding body. Provides financial support for majority of Cépralmar projects including shellfish observatory, fishing sector development, and aquaculture innovation.
• FEAMP/FEAMPA (Fonds Européen pour les Affaires Maritimes et la Pêche)coreOthersEuropean Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund. Major financial supporter of Cépralmar projects including shellfish farming research, fishing fleet studies, and aquaculture development.
• OP du SudminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProducers' Organization for Southern France. Partner in fishing research projects including IN OVO cephalopod spawning support and noisette de mer studies.
• LizalgminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology partner for AURA LIZA project developing IPRS (In-Pond Raceway System) for grey mullet aquaculture in Occitanie lagoons.
• Ferme Marine des AresquiersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMarine farm facility hosting AURA LIZA grey mullet aquaculture trials using IPRS technology in Frontignan lagoon.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Cerema: Public establishment for coastal management and sustainable development. Collaborates with Cépralmar on integrating shellfish observatory data into the Géoportail platform.
• Pôle Mer Méditerranée: Mediterranean maritime competitiveness cluster that labels and supports Cépralmar's innovation projects (HOLONURS, HOLOPROD, AZA4ICE). Operates at a much broader innovation-scope level across the maritime sector.
• IFREMER: National marine research institute that partners with Cépralmar on HOLOSUD, HOLONURS, and PALTEVA. A much larger incumbent in marine science that overlaps with Cépralmar on aquaculture and resource research.

Direct peers

• SMIDAP: Syndicat Mixte pour le Développement de l'Aquaculture en Pays de la Loire. Sister regional technical center collaborating with Cépralmar on inter-regional shellfish performance monitoring and CTR network activities.
• CAPENA: Centre Technique Régional for shellfish farming on the Charente-Maritime basin. Direct peer in the French CTR network, sharing the same national observatory and SIPEN inter-regional monitoring framework with Cépralmar.
• SMEL: Syndicat Mixte de l'Equipement du Littoral in Normandy. Fellow CTR in the French shellfish farming observatory network, comparable in scope and funding model to Cépralmar.

Regional players

• SMBT (Syndicat Mixte du Bassin de Thau): Thau Basin Mixed Union managing the lagoon ecosystem. Close institutional partner to Cépralmar on lagoon observation networks and shellfish resource monitoring.
• CRPMEM Occitanie: Regional Committee of Marine Fisheries and Marine Farming for Occitanie. Core professional body partner of Cépralmar, jointly steering sector contracts and fishing resource projects across the same regional scope.
• CRCM (Comité Régional de la Conchyliculture de la Méditerranée): Mediterranean shellfish farming professional committee. Represents the shellfish producers that Cépralmar serves through research, observation, and sector coordination.

Emerging players

• Lizalg: Technology partner providing IPRS (In-Pond Raceway System) technology for the AURA LIZA grey mullet project. Comparable emerging aquaculture technology participant operating in adjacent Mediterranean value chains.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Cepralmar
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cepralmar-sete

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cépralmar