INSTITUTO DE CIENCIAS DEL MAR Y LIMNOLOGÍA

What INSTITUTO DE CIENCIAS DEL MAR Y LIMNOLOGÍA does

Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología (ICML) is a public research institute of Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), founded in 1981, dedicated to the scientific study of marine and inland aquatic systems. Its mandate spans five disciplinary departments: aquatic biology and fisheries, marine geology and geochemistry, limnology, physical oceanography, and aquatic chemistry and contamination. The institute operates four regional units across Mexico — Ciudad Universitaria in Mexico City, Mazatlán on the Pacific coast, Puerto Morelos on the Caribbean, and Ciudad del Carmen on the Gulf of Mexico — providing national-scale coverage of coastal and inland water bodies.

ICML's research output is anchored by long-horizon ecological monitoring programs, including the SIGSBEE deep-ocean sediment-trap time series (active for 24 years), and by ISO 9001:2015-certified analytical and field services spanning water-quality assays, biodiversity inventories, and oceanographic observation. Recent strategic initiatives include the Apixqui mete-oceanic monitoring platform (developed with SEMAR), UNESCO and UN Special Rapporteur engagements on marine pollution and biodiversity governance, and IAEA collaboration on microplastics monitoring. The institute has published peer-reviewed work in venues including Nature (2024–2025).

The entity's "business model" is that of a publicly funded research dependency: its operating budget is allocated through UNAM and federal science agencies (notably Secihti), supplemented by competitive grants and international cooperation agreements. It does not pursue commercial revenue in the conventional sense; rather, it delivers public scientific goods (datasets, peer-reviewed publications, technical advisory, certified laboratory services) to government, academic, and intergovernmental counterparties. The current administrative lead is Director Píndaro Díaz Jaimes, who delivered the institute's second annual report in 2025.

Name

INSTITUTO DE CIENCIAS DEL MAR Y LIMNOLOGÍA

Legal name

Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología de la UNAM

Website

https://icmyl.unam.mx

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología is a UNAM-affiliated public research institute operating four Mexican regional units to study marine and inland aquatic systems, delivering peer-reviewed science, certified laboratory services, and long-term ecological monitoring to government and intergovernmental partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine and Limnological Research Services

NAICS

Environmental Consulting Services (54162)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental Data Management Platforms (EHS/EMS, LIMS, ELN, Compliance Data Hubs) (EUAHAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Data Management, LIMS & Compliance Software (ELN, eDMS, reporting automation) (EUANAJAE)

Keywords

• Marine science research
• Limnology research
• Aquatic biogeochemistry
• Oceanographic monitoring
• Coastal ecology studies

Headquarters

HQ city

Ciudad de México (CDMX)

HQ country

Mexico

HQ region

Latin America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Public Institutional Funding: As a public research institute of UNAM (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México), ICML is funded by federal public budget allocations. No commercial revenue generation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

ICML is a public research institute under UNAM that conducts interdisciplinary research in marine sciences and limnology. It operates specialized laboratory services (electron microscopy, nutrient analysis, particle sizing, sediment dating, toxicology, infrared spectroscopy), oceanographic and meteorological monitoring, and graduate education programs. The institute supports biodiversity research, long-term ecological monitoring, environmental impact assessment, and evidence-based environmental policy advice across marine, coastal, and continental aquatic ecosystems in Mexico.

Product overview

The Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología (ICML-UNAM) is a research institute that provides specialized laboratory and monitoring services for marine and aquatic sciences. The institution operates multiple academic service units including: the Scanning Electron Microscopy Service (SAMEB) for surface structure analysis; the Biogeochemistry Laboratory for nutrient analysis (NO2, NO3, NH4, SRP, DON, DOP); particle size analysis by laser; sediment dating; infrared spectroscopy; and oceanographic monitoring (SAMMO). The institute also maintains bioinformatics infrastructure (CHIHUIL server) and field sampling capabilities including deep-sea sediment coring. These services support biodiversity research, ecological studies, environmental assessment, and marine conservation across ICML's four campuses in Ciudad Universitaria, Mazatlán, Puerto Morelos, and Ciudad del Carmen.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Laboratorio de Biogeoquímica Acuática: Laboratory focused on aquatic biogeochemistry studies, nutrient cycling, and aquatic ecosystem metabolism
• Servicio Académico de Microscopía Electrónica de Barrido (SAMEB)
• Laboratorio de Contaminación Marina
• Coralium

Products and services

• Scanning Electron Microscopy Service (SAMEB)

Quantifiable outcome

• SAMEB service targets 80% client satisfaction and 90% on-time delivery of results.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

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

• Instituto de Ciencias de la Atmósfera y el Cambio Climático (ICAyCC-UNAM)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Co-development partner in the Apixqui project for inter-institutional mete-oceanic monitoring and early warning of extreme events, alongside CICESE, SEMAR, and SMN.
• CICESE (Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Co-development partner in the Apixqui inter-institutional mete-oceanic monitoring and early warning system project.
• Secretaría de Marina (SEMAR)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Partner in the Apixqui project for mete-oceanic monitoring and hurricane early warning in the Mexican Pacific.
• Servicio Meteorológico Nacional (SMN)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Partner in the Apixqui project contributing meteorological data and expertise to hurricane monitoring.
• Gulf-LISTEN (Long-term Investigation on Sperm Trends in the Ecosystem of the Northern Gulf)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Collaborative international research project studying cetacean distribution, density, abundance, and long-term seasonal and spatial trends in the Gulf of Mexico. Extended for 4 additional years. ICML contributes through Dr. Adolfo Gracia Gasca.
• United Nations Special Rapporteur on Toxic Substances and Human RightsmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026ICML's Marine Contamination Laboratory contributed scientific evidence on pollution in Mexico during the UN Special Rapporteur's official visit, supporting international human rights and environmental reporting.
• Instituto de Biotecnología (IBt-UNAM)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2024Joint research collaboration during the SIGSBEE-24 deep-sea expedition, where IBt researchers led by Dra. Liliana Pardo conducted in-situ biotechnological protocols including in-situ massive sequencing for ocean health biomarker monitoring using bacteria.
• Coordinación de Plataformas Oceanográficas (COPO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Collaboration for hydrographic data acquisition during oceanographic research campaigns, including the SIGSBEE deep-sea research program using the oceanographic vessel 'Justo Sierra'.
• Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas (CONANP)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Collaboration during deep-sea research campaigns, contributing conservation expertise to ocean research expeditions. Active partner in ICML's long-term ecological monitoring programs.
• Universidad Abdelmalek Essaâdi (Reino de Marruecos)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023President of the Moroccan university visited ICML in October 2023, indicating international academic exchange and potential collaboration.
• Organismo Internacional de Energía Atómica (OIEA / IAEA)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Collaboration through LATINS project and other initiatives using radioactive tracers to study microplastics and coastal sediment dynamics. IAEA roundtables and capacity-building programs with ICML participation.
• CIOMC (Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigación para el Desarrollo Integral Regional — Unidad Campeche)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Signing of a letter of intent in June 2021 for collaborative research between ICML and CIOMC-Campeche.
• UNESCO — Década Internacional de los OcéanoscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021UNAM, with ICML as a key participant, leads multiple projects under the UNESCO Ocean Decade (2021-2030) aimed at achieving clean, sustainably managed, and biologically productive oceans.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Scripps Institution of Oceanography: One of the world's premier marine research institutions within UC San Diego. Directly comparable to ICML as a large multi-disciplinary oceanographic research institute with deep-sea, climate, and biogeochemistry programs.
• Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS): Mid-Atlantic marine research institute with overlapping oceanographic, reef, and atmospheric monitoring programs. Comparable as a multi-disciplinary marine science center operating field stations and research cruises.
• GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel: German marine research center with comparable multidisciplinary ocean science and deep-sea research portfolio. Functions as a direct peer in marine geology, biogeochemistry, and climate-ocean research.
• Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI): German polar and marine research institute with comparable deep-sea, ocean chemistry, and biological oceanography research scope, including expedition-based field campaigns analogous to SIGSBEE.
• National Oceanography Centre (NOC): UK's center for oceanographic research with overlapping deep-sea, ocean chemistry, and marine technology programs. Comparable scale and graduate education mandate.
• CICESE (Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada): Mexican public research center and active ICML partner in the Apixqui hurricane monitoring project. Closest national peer with overlapping oceanographic and coastal research scope.
• Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution: U.S.-based private marine research institution with similar deep-sea, ocean chemistry, and long-term ecological monitoring missions. Comparable in offering oceanographic research infrastructure and graduate-level training.
• Plymouth Marine Laboratory: UK-based marine research institute with comparable focus on marine biogeochemistry, nutrient cycling, and ocean-color remote sensing. Similar in offering certified analytical services to external researchers.
• Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM-CSIC): Spain's premier marine research institute under CSIC with directly comparable research lines in marine biology, geology, physical oceanography, and aquatic chemistry. Closest Iberian peer to ICML.

Regional players

• Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS): Australian government marine research institute with similar long-term reef and coastal monitoring programs. Functions as a geographic peer — comparable scope but operating in a different region.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/IcmlUnam
• Facebookfacebook.com/Instituto-de-Ciencias-del-Mar-y-Limnolog%C3%ADa-UNAM-ICML-668910819868092
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/instituto-de-ciencias-del-mar-y-limnolog%C3%ADa
• Instagraminstagram.com/icml.unam

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about INSTITUTO DE CIENCIAS DEL MAR Y LIMNOLOGÍA