ANSES consolidates its presence in Boulogne-sur-Mer!
Centrally located in the port of Boulogne-sur-Mer, the Laboratory for Food Safety's site specialising in fishery and aquaculture products is expanding! This extension, financed jointly by the Hauts-de-France Region and the local community, underlines ANSES's scientific investment in Boulogne-sur-Mer and is fully consistent with regional research dynamics for the quality and safety of aquatic products. These new premises can henceforth accommodate scientists from the Biochemistry of Aquatic Products Unit of the University of the Littoral-Côte d’Opale, enabling capacities and resources to be pooled to address challenges specific to the sector of fishery and aquaculture products.
With a team of more than 20 people working on the quality and hygiene of fishery and aquaculture products, the Boulogne-sur-Mer site of the ANSES Laboratory for Food Safety develops methods for detecting, characterising and quantifying pathogens (micro-organisms and parasites) and chemical contaminants (biogenic amines, microplastics, etc.) found in fish, shellfish and crustaceans.
Strong ties with the Hauts-de-France academic and scientific community
Involved in numerous joint research projects with the University of the Littoral-Côte d’Opale, the Boulogne-sur-Mer site is a major partner of the MARCO State-Region plan contract (CPER) whose aim is to develop an original and innovative approach to the investigation of marine environments and their resources and the quality of aquatic products as part of a regional dynamic taking into account environmental impacts.
The MARCO project, entitled “Marine and coastal research in Côte d’Opale: from environments to resources, uses and the quality of aquatic products”, is a way to strengthen ties between various research and academic institutions to benefit the local area and preserve the diversity of its environments.
Essential support from local authorities
The Hauts-de-France Region and the Boulogne-sur-Mer Urban Community, which are long-standing partners of ANSES in Boulogne-sur-Mer, provided funding for an extension with suitable infrastructures able to accommodate scientists from the Biochemistry of Aquatic Products Unit of the University of the Littoral-Côte d’Opale. This research team, also linked to the Charles Viollette Regional Institute for Agrifood and Biotechnology Research of the University of Lille, now enables the skills of several organisations to be pooled and regional research capacities to be strengthened.
Capitalising on these multiple links with the universities and research institutions present in Hauts-de-France, the new building, bringing together around 40 scientists, technicians and administrative and financial staff members in total, will enable the teams to continue their mission to safeguard health and coordinate the research community in the area of fishery and aquaculture products.
These new premises will boost the local presence of ANSES's Boulogne-sur-Mer site, making it a leading centre of excellence for the quality and safety of aquatic products.