The Institute of Oceanology, BAS, Varna is affiliated to the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. The main research activities are focused on the field of coastal dynamics, marine physics, chemistry, geology, biology, ecology, and underwater investigations. Traditionally involved in all aspects of marine research it also offers consulting and expert services, environmental impact assessment studies, education and training. The total scientific staff is 52 scientists (3 senior scientists - Professors, 14 senior scientists - Assoc. Professors, 35 scientists - Assoc. Researchers. DSci. - 3; PhD - 22). 15 scientist are licensed experts to the Bulgarian Ministry of Environment and one scientist is an expert-evaluator to the 5 FP of EC.

The main fields of research can be summarised in several topics:
- Coastal zone Hydrodynamics (wind wave in deep sea and shallow water, wind wave climate, wind wave modelling, statistical wind wave models), Lythodynamics (sediment transport, contemporary bottom changes, beach dynamics and cadastre) and Coastal zone management;
- Marine Physics (marine hydrology, water circulation, currents, hydrophysical aspects of marine pollution, semi-enclosed and enclosed basins modelling - Black Sea, Caspian Sea, Mediterranean Sea);
- Marine Biology and Ecology (phytoplankton, zooplankton, macrophytobenthos and zoobenthos, fish-stock assessment, bio-diversity, response to environmental parameters ? eutophication and pollution);
- Marine Chemistry (monitoring and analysis of hydro-chemical components in the sea, rivers and lakes, indicators of marine environment ecological state: nutrients, oxygen, suspended matter, POC, heavy metals in sea water and sediments);
- Marine Geology and Archaeology (geological, geophysical and geo-chemical research, geological mapping, geomorphologic evolution and seabed processes, ancient sea coasts);
- Ocean Engineering (developing of oceanographic instrumentation, specialised and precise devices, deep diving and hyperbaric systems, hydro- and geoacoustics).

The experts are involved in consulting decision and policy makers for elaboration of environmental friendly regulations and standards for sustainable management of Black Sea living resources at governmental and local authorities level. The scientific staff is qualified in environmental impact assessment expertise.