News

The ocean and coastal areas play a crucial role in our health and well-being. From bioactive compounds derived from marine organisms to the positive effects of coastal landscapes on stress and cognitive functions, marine research continues to provide valuable insights that contribute to medical advancements and overall well-being. The prestigious Delcroix Awards, presented by Hydro vzw and The Sea...

Many people experience a sense of relaxation and well-being when spending time by the sea. Scientific studies have shown that living near the ocean is linked to better health, though the exact reasons for this are not yet fully understood. Recent research by Yunmeng Li (VLIZ, Ghent University, and the University of Antwerp) sheds new light on a surprising factor: the air we breathe at the coast...

The newly appointed EU Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans Costas Kadis visited – at the invitation and in the presence of Minister Crevits, Governor Decaluwé and a delegation of European, federal, regional and local dignitaries – the research facilities of the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) and the Institute for Agricultural, Fisheries and Food Research (ILVO) in Ostend on 20 January. In the...

From November 26-27, the vibrant city of Málaga hosted CommOCEAN 2024, bringing together 135 participants passionate about marine science communication. Organized by the European Marine Board Communication Panel, the conference was a platform for exchanging ideas, exploring innovative strategies, and fostering collaborations.

The by VLIZ developed PANTHYR instrument is playing a key role in enhancing satellite observations for marine environmental monitoring. The installation in Chesapeake Bay (USA), not only measures water quality but also validates crucial satellite data of NASA’s newest PACE mission.

In a world where both human and planetary health are under increasing strain, a vital question arises: how can we connect with nature to support our well-being? While the positive effects of nature on mental health are well-known, most research has focused on green spaces, such as forests and parks. However, blue spaces – rivers, lakes, and especially coastal areas – are equally beneficial. Why do...

The VLIZ Marine Science Day 2025, taking place on Wednesday, 5 March at VIVES hogeschool in Bruges, will be a special event, as it marks the 25th anniversary of the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ). In addition to the usual scientific presentations and networking opportunities for marine scientists across a wide range of disciplines, this year’s event offers a unique chance to reflect on VLIZ’s...

VLIZ is pleased to welcome a new group of PhD researchers to our research community. These eight doctoral candidates are each undertaking important projects that address key issues in marine science. Their work will enhance our understanding of the ocean and coastal environments, while contributing to solutions for today’s environmental challenges. From studying microplastics and climate change to...

Bioplastics* cannot be seen as the ‘holy grail’ for the marine plastic problem after all. The research by Zhiyue Niu, PhD student at Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) and UGent, shows that bioplastics also break down into microplastic particles under the influence of UV radiation and wave action, albeit to a lesser extent than the usual petroleum-based plastics. Bioplastics also leak their...

For her PhD research, Nelle Meyers (VLIZ, ILVO, UGent) developed a new cost- and time-effective method for the detection and identification of microplastics in the marine environment. The semi-automatic method combines staining of microplastic particles with the fluorescent dye nile red and machine-learning algorithms. The method tested reliably for most types of polymers, even when the...

This spring, the Flanders Marine Institute is opening six vacancies to recruit new PhD candidates. Curious which new research projects we are launching in close collaboration with one or more of the Flemish universities?

The non-profit organisations HYDRO and Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) are awarding the Dr Edouard Delcroix Incentive Award for the fifth time. This international annual scientific prize, worth 2,500 EUR, will be awarded to a young scientist conducting research in the broad field of "ocean and human health". The incentive prize is reserved for candidates who recently obtained their master's...

PLUXIN, one of the most comprehensive studies in Flemish coastal waters, seaports and estuaries, shows that plastic particles are everywhere. The quantities of 'microplastic' are an order of magnitude larger than the larger litter. It accumulates in riverbeds and on their banks. And estuaries, such as the Scheldt, are not sources of plastic to the open sea, but rather settling places. In turn, the...

Be part of the programme of VLIZ Marine Science Day 2024 on 6 March 2024 at De Grote Post in Oostende. The #VMSD24 – formally framed within the Belgian EU Presidency – will revolve entirely around the EU Mission Ocean & Waters, and its three main themes: ocean pollution, climate/carbon, and biodiversity. Make your own research part of the #VMSD24 programme and submit an abstract by 12 January 2024...

The Sea as a Good Cause supports young, original-thinking marine researchers by once again awarding 6 research grants - each worth EUR 5,000. PhD students and junior postdocs in Flanders, as well as PhD students from the South, who dare to think out-of-the box, are eligible for this research funding. Deadline for submitting proposals: 26 January 2024.

Have you recently defended your BSc, MSc or PhD thesis on a marine research theme? Then you have until 31 December to apply for one of the VLIZ Marine Science Awards 2023. From now on, with a slight twist in the conditions to participate.

Last month, the Innovative Solutions for Plastic Free European Rivers (INSPIRE Europe) consortium kicked off the start of a new four-year project. 25 partners spread across Europe and one partner from Thailand will join forces to reduce the plastic pollution in European rivers.

Some 290 shipwrecks lie in the Belgian part of the North Sea alone, with probably more than 1,000 in the entire North Sea, many of them silent witnesses to the two world wars. Until recently, the environmental impact of these wrecks was largely unknown and, as far as the presence of munitions is concerned, they represented a true Pandora’s box. The North Sea Wrecks project has changed this.