30 / 05 / 2006
The Marine Board of the European Science Foundation (ESF/MB) is recognised as the multidisciplinary European Forum for marine sciences. It has been established in 1995 to improve the coordination between the European marine scientific organisations (research ánd financing institutes) and to develop a strategy on marine sciences in Europe. The ESF/Marine Board has 25 acknowledged members originating from 17 countries. Both Belgian Science Foundations are represented in the board: FWO-Flanders and its French counterpart FNRS.
Minister Fientje Moerman (vice-president of the Flemish Government and the Flemish Minister of Economy, Enterprise, Science, Innovation and Foreign Trade) provides 120.000 EUR for the renovation of extra storehouses at the site of the fish market in Ostend, Belgium where the VLIZ is located. It also includes support to the set-up of the secretary. The management agreement of VLIZ has been adapted in order to manage this subsidy. The official inauguration is planned at the end of 2006.
EFARO, the 'European Fisheries and Aquaculture Research Organisation', recently decided to organise an associated secretary at the ESF/MB and will move from Brest to Ostend.