The Instituto Espanol de Oceanografia (IEO) of the Ministry of Science and Technology, was established in 1914 for the purpose of carrying out multidisciplinary oceanographic research on our seas and on specific aspects of other areas, as well as to counsel the State Administration and other Public Administrations. Research and counsel encompass marine biology, physical, chemical and geological oceanography, pollution of the marine environment and fishing aspects, as well as research and experience in aquaculture. The Instituto Espanol de Oceanografia maintain an Oceanographic Data Centre which was established in 1968, and is responsible for the compilation, storage and distribution of the data produced by the different research areas of the Institute. It acts as the Spanish representative at the international data exchange, and operates within the network of national oceanographic databases established by the IOC.

The IEO is organised in 3 main areas:

- Environment

- Fisheries

- Aquaculture

The IEO Data Centre freely exchanges its data with other national centres on the basis of bilateral agreements, but holds the right to charge marginal costs up to other consumers, e.g. copy, materials and postage expenses. The availability of certain data is restricted, and is subject to the authorization of the scientists who were responsible for the collection and reports thereof.