MarBIS is a system for collecting, treating and disseminating information on biodiversity in Portugal's marine waters. This system intends to incorporate the assets of the M@rBis program, which was conceived as a georeferenced marine biodiversity information system. This initiative, which will seek to be articulated with the national and international scientific community, is intended to provide the scientific system and the economic system with access to metadata, data and samples, including genetic information, which can leverage knowledge of marine biodiversity and its economic use. The MarBIS work program seeks to address one of the most important societal challenges of our times: knowledge and preservation of marine genetic potential. This requires obtaining scientifically validated information, promoting understanding of the physicochemical and biological processes that underpin marine ecosystems and identifying vulnerable ecosystems and species.