Organised by the RIEM (International Network of Sea Eco-Explorers) and the Océanopole of Tan Tan (OTT), the RIEM international meetings will be held on 16 and 17 October 2012 at the Bouregreg marina, Oualidia, and Casablanca.

These debates and exchanges, which will take place in the form of round tables, will be held on Tuesday the 16th at the Bouregreg marina, in the presence of officials from the INRH (National Institute for Fisheries Research), decision-makers from the fishing, aquaculture, and port sectors, and foreign eco-biologists. They will be concluded by the signing of a RIEM/OTT convention project memorandum, followed by a press briefing.

On this occasion, the sailing boat EOLICA will dock at the Bouregreg marina from Monday 15 to Sunday 21 October, with 5 eco-biologists on board who have come especially for the RIEM meetings, firstly in Rabat/Salé, then in Oualidia and at the Casablanca fishing port.

Subsequently, an appointment is set for Wednesday the 17th in Oualidia in order to learn about the state of oyster farming and the fragility of its lagoon. In the afternoon, a study visit to the Casablanca fishing port is planned.

Noting that there is currently no coordination network for participatory marine eco-exploration and the growing need of scientists and organisations for the protection of the maritime environment, which plays a fundamental role in the planet's major biological, climatic, and atmospheric balances, this cannot be covered without the participation of eco-volunteers. The actions of the RIEM aim to offer this new generation of explorers a space for periodic meetings, consultation, and collaboration where the question of aligning the proposed means with the needs of science and its quality requirements could be addressed in greater depth.

Among the missions of the RIEM are the establishment of a network of actors (sailors, scientists, eco-volunteers with or without a boat) in order to federate initiatives, advise project leaders, and communicate to the general public; the animation of an Internet platform for eco-volunteering, to develop participatory marine eco-exploration among the various navigating actors (pleasure boating, fishing, merchant navy, etc.); the annual organisation of international meetings on marine eco-exploration, the goal being to open a space for meetings and information for eco-volunteers and professionals involved in these actions and the general public. In addition to promoting the development of simplified protocols for collecting oceanographic data in collaboration with research institutes, in particular with IFREMER and the Roscoff biological station, to develop the quality of data during eco-volunteering missions; the development of training modules to allow active participation of sailing schools and eco-volunteers articulated around precise data collection protocols; and the implementation of an educational programme intended for young pupils, in order to raise their awareness of the issues linked to the preservation of the oceans.