The Centro de Ciências do Mar (CCMAR) is a private non-profit scientific research organization at the University of Algarve. CCMAR is dedicated to Research and Innovation in marine sciences and aims to promote multidisciplinary research and education related to the marine environment, with an emphasis on the processes of environmental change that affect marine ecosystems.

CCMAR is organized by thematic lines and sub-lines:

The Ramalhete Centre is an infrastructure of the University of the Algarve managed by the Centre of Marine Sciences of the Algarve since 1994. Ramalhete is located in the middle of Ria and is a very versatile maritime station, it has tanks and aquariums for the maintenance of living organisms, from small inside tank to large outdoor mesocosms. It receives water directly from the Ria Formosa and well-water is used to regulate salinity. The easy access to the unique and extensive system of lagoons and salt marshes of the Ria Formosa and coastal areas that facilitate in situ studies.