Pôle Mer Bretagne Atlantique : A sign of blue economic development With a network of almost 370 players consisting of major companies, SMEs, research centres and higher education establishments, the Pôle Mer cluster contributes to the economic development of France's maritime sector. The Pôle acts as: Initiator : It stimulates the maritime economy by supporting innovation. Facilitator : It encourages the emergence of pioneering projects and helps them secure funding by networking to ensure the transfer of skills between businesses and research labs. Catalyst : It supports SME growth as companies seek to invest in R&D, access new markets for their products and develop internationally. Player : It works to secure recognition of the maritime sector in France and Europe, so that its themes are identified as part of priority programmes, thereby positioning cluster members in emerging markets. Key figures : . 370 members including SMEs/SMIs, major companies, universities and advanced HE institutes ( Grandes Ecoles ) and professional bodies . 1 regional centre of maritime excellence : Brittany-Pays de La Loire . 378 recognised projects with 983 million euros of investment in R&D (key figures - nov 2019) . 285 million euros of public funding secured over ten years . Six major fields of activity: Defence, Maritime safety and security, shipbuilding and leisure boatbuilding, marine energy and mining resources, marine biological resources (fishing/aquaculture and blue biotech), environmental and coastal planning and development and maritime ports, logistic and transport.