Marine Biology Station Piran, a Unit of the National Institute of Biology Ljubljana:
"The Slovenian centre for knowledge of the sea"

Address:	National Institute of Biology, Marine Biology Station Piran Fornace 41, 6330 Piran, Slovenia
Phone:	+386 (0)5 6712 900
Fax:	+386 (0)5 6712 902
E-mail:

The Marine Biology Station Piran MBS was founded in 1969 as a Unit of the Institute of Biology, University of Ljubljana. Like its predecessor, the Board of Marine Research, the MBS was established because of increasing public interest in the sea, practical need and for fundamental reasons of environmental concern. The Station was initially oriented toward research on the local flora and fauna but gradually developed into a larger unit with more weight on work with ecological and pollution aspects. These days the MBS predominantly undertakes diverse interdisciplinary marine research.

The Marine Biology Station is currently the only research group in Slovenia devoted to maritime scientific research and professional work. Collaborating with high calibre foreign marine research centres, it represents a national focal point for development in the area of marine research. Through three decades of development, the MBS has significantly outgrown it's earliest frame of reference as a marine branch of the National Institute of Biology. Its assests, staffing, programs and links to foreign research have been markedly strengthened to reflect Slovenia's significant traditional ties with the sea.

Its geographical location

The MBS of Piran is housed in its own building, situated on the northern shore of the Bay of Piran near the Bernardin hotel complex. Nearby is the famous tourist resort of Portoroz with its numerous hotels, a marina, an airport and the ancient city of Piran.

Infrastructure

There are 36 people routinely employed at the MBS, comprising of 16 researchers, 10 young researchers and 10 technical and administrative collaborators. The research work is periodically augmented by students and trainee postgraduate and postdoctoral fellows with various disciplines.

	The infrastructure of the MBS is comprised of:
	2.500 square metre of total facilities. A 1.500 square metre research laboratory (biological, chemical, microbiological etc), associated work beches.
	A salt water laboratory aquarium with lab to sea interflow capability.
	Dormitory with 24 beds Congress hall with 95 seats Classroom with 40 seats Biology practice Meeting room for 25 persons
	A library containing about 1500 scientific monographs and 60 specialized journals
	A diving base with workshop
	A 12m long research vessel, with a dry and wet lab and associated field equipment and a 7m long working boat.