Policy Information division
The Policy Information division supports a scientifically founded coastal and marine policy by providing policy-relevant scientific information products and services and concentrates on the marine scientific community, policy makers, industry (blue economy) as well as specific interested target groups within the general public.
The Policy Information division supports a sustainable and scientifically founded policy for the coastal area, the marine areas and the adjacent estuaries by actively providing policy-relevant scientific information. The resulting products are aimed at the marine scientific community, policy makers, industry as well as specific interested target groups. The division is also officially mandated by the Department to represent the marine scientific community in official discussion platforms with regard to the blue economy. The list of discussion platforms is updated on a yearly basis and can be consulted in the Strategisch Plan ‘Beleidsadvies Blauwe Economie’ (in Dutch only).
The Policy Information division’s primary target areas are the Belgian part of the North Sea as well as the Flemish coastal area and adjacent estuaries, but the southern North Sea and the European waters provide a broader frame of reference. Within this scope, there is close collaboration with the network of Flemish marine scientists as well as internal cooperation with the VLIZ Data Centre, Library, Communication and Research division.
For further information about the role of VLIZ and the activities within the Policy Information division within the new convenant you can consult our convenant and the Strategisch Plan ‘Beleidsadvies Blauwe Economie’.
Responsibilities:
- Compendium for Coast and Sea: an integrated information document on the socio-economic, ecological and institutional aspects of the coast and sea in Flanders and Belgium;
- The Coastal portal: Geoportal about the use and monitoring activities at sea and in the coastal zone;
- Marine Robotics Centre: The VLIZ provides in a ROV, AUV and USV for all actors active in marine research and innovation;
- Policy support: policy-informing briefs, projects for integrated and sustainable coastal zone management, data and information systems;
- Indicators: indicator sets for sustainable and integrated management of coastal and marine areas as well as estuaries;
- Products and projects: e.g. history of marine sciences,monitoring of the recreational sea fisheries, the Flemish aquaculture platform, list of alien marine species in Belgium, ICES working group on marine litter, the Belgian register of marine and coastal species.
Staff members:
Head of division and contact: Hans Pirlet