Growing of human pressure on habitats and marine resources in a context of global change are leading to a decrease of biodiversity and fish stock in oceans and coastal areas. Maintaining the integrity of the marine environment including reefs is of major interest in Western Indian Ocean (WIO) states among which Reunion Island is the only and the furthest outermost region from the continental Europe. The objectives of the project are to enhance the local critic mass and skill of researchers in sea sciences, to increase the visibility of the teams at regional and international levels, including EU, and to unlock technologic gaps. In a very active international context for the ICPC countries in this region, the impact of the European action in the WIO will be clearly identifiable thanks to this project. Europe will thus support the setting up of the pole of excellence in marine sciences at Reunion Island. Moreover, and beyond the scientific and technologic interests, the measures implemented during the project will have several positives impacts on the economic area of fisheries and aquaculture as well as on the social management of human practices on coastal area notably in Marine Protected Area.