Dr. Francois Galgani | Chemical Pollution | Best Paper Award
Senior scientist, IFREMER, France
Dr. François Galgani is a renowned French oceanographer and senior scientist at IFREMER, with a distinguished career dedicated to marine pollution, particularly marine litter. Based in Bonifacio, France, he chairs the non-profit Echos D’Oceans and plays pivotal roles in international advisory groups like GESAMP and IOC. His expertise spans oceanology, ecotoxicology, and environmental policy. Dr. Galgani served as chair and co-chair of major international and EU groups, contributing significantly to marine litter strategies across the Mediterranean, EU, and global initiatives. He has authored 200+ peer-reviewed articles and serves as Editor-in-Chief of Marine Pollution Bulletin. A passionate advocate for sustainable oceans, he is involved in the UN Decade for Ocean Science and supports global environmental frameworks. His work bridges science and policy, influencing directives like the EU MSFD and frameworks like SDG 14.1.1 🌍🔬📘.
Profile
Education
🎓 Dr. François Galgani’s academic foundation combines rigorous scientific training and strategic management. He earned a Ph.D. in Oceanology in 1983 from Aix-Marseille II (MIO), followed by a Master’s in Oceanography in 1981. In 1987, he gained a certificate in financial management from the prestigious ESCP Business School, Paris, equipping him with administrative acumen. That same year, he also achieved a research management habilitation from Aix-Marseille II. Broadening his expertise in biological sciences, he completed a degree in Molecular Biology from the University of Nantes in 1991. This rich multidisciplinary background—spanning ocean sciences, molecular biology, and management—enabled Dr. Galgani to lead complex scientific projects and international environmental initiatives effectively. His strong educational base continues to underpin his research in marine pollution and policy advising on ocean sustainability. 🌊🔬📚
Experience
🧪 Dr. François Galgani’s career spans over four decades of impactful scientific research, leadership, and global environmental governance. Since 2022, he has served as a senior scientist at IFREMER. From 2008 to 2022, he was the head of IFREMER Corsica, directing labs and regional projects. Previously, he held project manager roles in IFREMER Sete and Toulon. Earlier in his career, he led the ecotoxicology lab in Nantes and served as a program manager. His international experience includes a postdoctoral fellowship at Tokyo University of Fisheries and a visiting scientist position at Stanford University in 1993. Dr. Galgani has also worked in IFREMER Tahiti and has led major EU, Mediterranean, and UN projects. Beyond research, he contributes policy insights to global marine litter reduction and monitoring strategies. His career reflects a strong fusion of field expertise, laboratory leadership, and international collaboration. 🌍🔎🧫
Research Focus
🔬 Dr. François Galgani’s research focuses on marine pollution, especially the sources, distribution, impacts, and mitigation of marine litter. His work spans ecotoxicology, oceanography, molecular biology, modeling, and environmental management. As a leading figure in marine litter science, he contributed to developing and implementing international monitoring systems under EU directives (e.g., MSFD Descriptor 10) and UN regional action plans. He supports policies on global, regional, and national levels for marine environmental protection, offering expertise to organizations like UNEP, GESAMP, and the European Commission. He has a keen interest in developing harmonized monitoring protocols, data management strategies, and risk assessment models. Dr. Galgani also advises scientific institutions and governments worldwide, including those in Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, French Polynesia, and Australia. His research not only addresses marine debris but also informs long-term sustainability goals and conservation policies. 🌐♻️🧪
Publication Top Note
EMODnet Visualization products for beach litter data
National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics, 2025 | Report
DOI: 10.13120/14cc-r118
Contributors: François Gaudin, Maria Eugenia Molina Jack, Matteo Vinci, Alexia Cociancich, Alessandra GIORGETTI, Morgan Le Moigne, Erwann Quimbert, Alexander Barth, Neil Holdsworth, François Galgani et al.
EMODnet Visualization products for seafloor litter data
National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics, 2025 | Report
DOI: 10.13120/c622d045-94ed-4b6a-9c78-404e86b8b9a3.v1
Contributors: François Gaudin, Gwenaël Caer, Maria Eugenia Molina Jack, Matteo Vinci, Alexia Cociancich, Alessandra GIORGETTI, Morgan Le Moigne, Erwann Quimbert, Alexander Barth, Neil Holdsworth et al.
Plastic and oceans
2025 | Book chapter
DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-443-15779-0.00004-3
Contributors: François Galgani, Maes Thomas, Li Daoji
Working Group on Marine Litter (WGML; outputs from 2024 meeting)
ICES Scientific Reports/Rapports scientifiques du CIEM, 2025 | Journal article
DOI: 10.17895/ices.pub.28685027
Marine litter in the deepest site of the Mediterranean Sea
Marine Pollution Bulletin, April 2025 | Journal article
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.117610
Contributors: Hanke Georg, Canals Miquel, Vescovo Victor, MacDonald Tim, Martini Eirini, Ruiz-Orejón Luis F., François Galgani, Palma Marco, Papatheodorou George, Ioakeimidis Christos et al.
Mission Tara Microplastics: a holistic set of protocols and data resources for the field investigation of plastic pollution along the land-sea continuum in Europe
Environmental Science and Pollution Research, April 2025 | Journal article
DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-26883-9
Contributors: Ghiglione Jean-François, Barbe Valérie, Bruzaud Stéphane, Burgaud Gaëtan, Cachot Jerome, Eyheraguibel Boris, Lartaud Franck, Ludwig Wolfgang, Meistertzheim Anne-Leila, Paul PONT Ika et al.
Déchets flottants. Région marine Méditerranée
Ifremer, 2024 | Book
DOI: 10.13155/98198
Contributors: Olivia Gerigny, Elise Georges, Mélanie Brun, Maxime Olsommer, Sophie Beauvais, François Galgani
Conclusion
François Galgani stands as a pioneering force in marine environmental science, with a distinguished career spanning over four decades. As a senior scientist at IFREMER and Chair of Echos D’Océans, his global contributions have significantly advanced our understanding of marine litter, ocean pollution, and environmental monitoring. His leadership in international expert groups, EU missions, and UN initiatives reflects a profound commitment to sustainable ocean management. With over 200 peer-reviewed publications and key editorial roles in top journals, Galgani’s influence bridges science and policy. His work continues to inspire collaborative action for cleaner, healthier oceans worldwide. 🌍🌊📘