About IOLR: Israel's Aquatic Research Institute

About IOLR

The Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research Institute (IOLR) is Israel's national research institution for aquatic science. Established in 1967, it advances knowledge that helps safeguard and sustainably manage the country's marine, coastal and freshwater resources.

Mediterranean coastal ecology research study — Mediterranean coastal ecology study

National Institute of Oceanography (NIO)

IOLR scientists study and monitor the bodies of water known as “The Four Seas of Israel”: the Mediterranean, the Red Sea, the Dead Sea and Lake Kinneret.

Atlantic Bluefin Tuna at the National Center for Mariculture — Atlantic Bluefin Tuna

Kinneret Limnological Laboratory (KLL)

Its research covers physical oceanography, marine biology, marine biotechnology, limnology (the study of lakes) and mariculture (saltwater fish farming), addressing questions of national, regional and global importance.

National Center for Mariculture (NCM)

Learn more about IOLR through its research strategy, which spans both basic and applied research, and through its dedication to sustainable development.

IOLR’s Research Strategy – Basic and Applied Research IOLR and Sustainable Development

Research Centers of IOLR

NIO — National Institute of Oceanography
KLL — Kinneret Limnological Laboratory
NCM — National Center for Mariculture

Note: the eastern Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea Gulf of Eilat/Aqaba are true seas; the Dead Sea is a hypersaline lake; and Lake Kinneret, also known as the Sea of Galilee, is a freshwater lake.

Common Questions About IOLR

What is IOLR?

The Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research Institute (IOLR) is Israel's national research institution for aquatic science. Founded in 1967, its mission is to generate knowledge that supports the sustainable use and protection of the country's marine, coastal and freshwater resources.

Which “Four Seas” of Israel does IOLR study?

IOLR researchers study and monitor the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea, the Dead Sea and Lake Kinneret. The eastern Mediterranean and the Red Sea's Gulf of Eilat/Aqaba are true seas, the Dead Sea is a hypersaline lake, and Lake Kinneret (the Sea of Galilee) is a freshwater lake.

Which research fields does IOLR cover?

IOLR carries out research in physical oceanography, marine biology, marine biotechnology, limnology (lake science) and mariculture (saltwater fish farming), tackling issues of national, regional and global importance.

Which research centers make up IOLR?

IOLR's research centers are the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), the Kinneret Limnological Laboratory (KLL) and the National Center for Mariculture (NCM). Further detail is available on the Research Centers of IOLR page.

Where can I find more on IOLR's research strategy and sustainability work?

Visit IOLR's Research Strategy – Basic and Applied Research and IOLR and Sustainable Development, and browse Research Updates for the latest findings.

Research Centers of IOLR Research Updates Research Updates

IOLR is proud to partner with JNF-USA

NAF-IOLR Home Twitter

IOLR brings together oceanography, lake science and mariculture under one national institute, so findings from the Mediterranean, the Red Sea, the Dead Sea and Lake Kinneret can inform how Israel's water environments are understood and cared for. Explore the research centers and strategy pages to see how this work connects to sustainable development.