What data products can we develop based on marine biological data pumped into EMODnet Biology? Which tools are essential for management, policy, planning and education? The EMODnet Biology workshop in London (10 October 2017) held a brainstorm on these two questions with representatives of high level data users, such as the four European regional sea commissions, various global and transatlantic...

Citizen Science is a new research approach that is rapidly gaining interest, especially in marine and maritime sciences. On a voluntary basis, citizens help scientists by gathering and analyzing data in a scientifically sound way. With regard to the ocean, Citizen Science has a special role to play. The vastness of the ocean and the lack of connection most people feel with the blue part of our...

The first VLIZ Science Symposium of 6 September has been passed for a couple of weeks. The presence of the two laureates of the Delcroix Prize, which were presented on a previous day, in Ostend was the direct reason for the organization of a scientific symposium on ‘the Ocean and Human Health’. Ten excellent speakers working in this multidisciplinary research theme gave insight into their research...

Did you know that VLIZ puts the ROV Genesis at the disposal of the entire marine research community? As a marine scientist, you can make use of the Remotely Operated Vehicle for your research, both nationally and internationally. A brand-new animated film illustrates the working and functions of the ROV.

A new block of birdcages is operational at the Wildlife Rescue Centre Ostend. This infrastructure has been realized with the financial support of a.o. VLIZ. The birdcage serves for birds to recover, but functions as well as an enclosed environment to conduct research on birds.

A Dutch-language written field guide focuses on what can be found on the Belgian/Dutch North Sea coast.

Once more the 2016 Annual Report reviews all highlights for VLIZ in the past year and focuses on the VLIZ activities carried out for the purpose of third parties. Performance indicators, loads of numbers and lists all together aim to give an overview of the functioning of the institute.

What are algae? And why are they so important to us? These are questions rarely asked to students in Multimedia Technology at the Karel de Grote College (KdG) or the High School of Arts Sint-Lucas in Gent. Yet these were the subjects they digged in to during the past few months. Earlier this year both groups of students were introduced into the world of ‘algology’ and were challenged to make...

All activities realised in the past year thanks to VLIZ philanthropy are summarised in an annual report.

The COLUMBUS project published the document ‘'Use and sharing of marine observations and data by industry' that addresses the specific needs, bottlenecks and challenges regarding the use of marine data by the industry. The publication contains a number of recommendations and some good practices in order to obtain a better data flow from and to the maritime economy, and to enhance Blue Growth.

How many fish do Belgian marine recreational fishermen actually catch? Until today no exact answer can be given to this question so far, as data are lacking. However, this will change soon. From 1 April 2017 onwards, numerous recreational fishermen will contribute by reporting their catches on a voluntary basis to the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) and the Institute for Agricultural and...

On the occasion of the VLIZ Marine Science Day 2017 in the beginning of March the winners of all VLIZ scientific awards were announced. Every year VLIZ awards two Master Thesis Awards to graduation theses in marine sciences. The North Sea Award gives the recognition to innovative marine research. The laureate of the VLIZ Communication Award wins a year-long personal communication coaching. New...

It is over again ... our VLIZ Marine Science Day 2017. We want to thank the 320 attendees to take part of this exciting event! On the website you find all the materials to relive the day. Besides the abstract book, photo gallery and information on all award winners, a link to the VMSD17 YouTube channel is given with the videos of all speakers. In case you missed something. To make the next...

Each year VLIZ recruits several students working for us in the months of July, August or September. Interested student employees may send a CV, letter of motivation and preference of activity or department before 17 April 2017.

VLIZ presents its first gadget line with the sea as a good cause. Buy a sweater, a t-shirt or a cotton bag of the Sea&Science collection and support the sea. The profit goes for 100% to the philanthropy of VLIZ and is invested in coastal, marine and ocean research worldwide.

More than 200 historical maps of the Belgian coastal zone and the southern bight of the North Sea, dating back from the 16th to the 20th century, are made freely available on the website HisGISKust (Historical Maps of the Coastal Zone - www.vliz.be/hisgiskust) by the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) and partners. Highly useful is that all the old maps are georeferenced to compare them in the...

The World register for marine species (WoRMS) aspires to contain all marine species ever described worldwide in one list. With the financial assistance of the project LifeWatch we were able to organize several data grants, meetings and workshops for experts in the course of 2016 designed to further improve this register and continue to complete it. The result? Thousands of new names added, a...

At the CommOCEAN 2016 conference (6-7 December - Bruges, Belgium) we welcomed 200 delegates of 29 countries worldwide: marine scientist that liked to be speed-trained by experts in the skills of modern ocean science communication and communicators at marine institutes, governmental bodies and NGOs curious to learn about the best of blue science. The conference hosted two days of oral and poster...