Close to 100 online participants representing policy makers, funders and institutions dealing with marine, maritime and socio-economic issues, together with the scientific community ofthe 13 Baltic and North Sea countries confirmed this week the broad themes of the future Baltic and North Sea Research and Innovation Programme (BANOS).
The health of the seas, ocean and people are inextricably linked. But this link is hardly ever researched or included in policy. This is mainly because the various sectors involved (marine science, medicine and pharmaceuticals, coastal tourism, food industry, education, citizens' initiatives, etc.) do not (yet) find each other there. The usual research and project funding is also not geared to these transdisciplinary collaborations.
The scientific project Coastbusters will receive follow-up funding to further investigate how cleverly constructed mussel beds can help combat coastal erosion and weaken the power of crashing waves. The construction of biogenic reefs as hydraulic engineering in coastal defence is a highly innovative concept. According to the project partners, it is relevant to investigate this further and to find out whether the concept can be added to the arsenal of sustainable techniques to protect our coast against rising sea levels. With the help of its marine robotics and 'smart moorings', VLIZ will monitor the large-scale evolution and small-scale dynamics of the mussel reefs.
Following the North Sea Vision 2050 process and the first working group cycle that took place in 2019, the Think Tank North Sea is ready to start a second cycle. From now on, interested parties will be able to submit relevant themes that the think tank will address. All burning topics concerning the North Sea can be suggested here.
In Ostend, the new Ostend Science Park has been launched, the first and most innovative marine science park in Belgium. The park aims to boost blue growth by offering state-of-the-art research and testing facilities to companies and researchers. Ostend Science Park is an initiative of the Port of Ostend, UGent and POM West Flanders.
In a new report, the European Parliament outlines the scope of the blue economy in Europe. The report provides an overview of the main socio-economic features for each of the sea basins. The document also looks at the factors driving the EU blue economy. The aim of the report is to support policy makers and stakeholders in the sustainable development of the ocean and coastal resources.
To measure concentrations of CO2 in the ocean surface and sub-surface waters, a whole new generation of sensors and instruments entered the market in recent years. An intercomparison of all these systems seemed necessary to the Ocean Thematic Centre (OTC) of the European research infrastructure ICOS (in full: Integrated Carbon Observation System). Hence, all interested scientists, operators and manufacturers of pCO2 sensors are kindly invited to participate in the first intercomparison exercise of ocean pCO2 instruments, held between 24 August and 4 September 2020 at the Flanders Marine Institute VLIZ in Ostend, Belgium.
On Wednesday 29 April 2020, the European Marine Board will organise the 7th EMB Forum on 'Big Data'. At the event, representatives from policy, industry, NGO's and science will discuss with data specialists with the aim of exploring how big data can be used now and in the future to support marine scientific research. The EMB Future Science Brief n°6 'Big Data in Marine Science' will also be launched during the forum. This paper will provide an assessment of the current status, challenges and solutions for the implementation of the Big Data approach in support of marine science.
JPI Water, JPI Oceans and JPI Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) are launching a joint trans-national call for research and innovation projects aimed at investigating the risks to human health and the environment of pollutants and pathogens in water.
After a year of working around two themes: 'Living with climate change' and 'Working with nature', the Think Tank North Sea presents its first vision texts. The vision texts are a synthesis of various meetings between representatives from policy, industry, science and citizens (quadruple helix) and contain recommendations and core principles that stakeholders can work with today to ensure a well-managed, sustainable North Sea by 2050.
Every year, within the framework of the Compendium for Coast and Sea, the compendium secretariat of VLIZ reports in the form of a policy information brief (PIB) on the current state of marine research in Flanders and Belgium. The brief (only available in Dutch) maps out the research capacity as well as the scientific output of Belgian marine research groups, and examines in more detail the international collaborations, the geographical focus of the research and the use of research vessels (methodology see PIB). The inventory shows that Belgian marine research is growing in numbers and geographically and becomes all the more accessible.
The 20th edition of the VLIZ Marine Science Day promises to be a special one. In 2020, VLIZ celebrates its 20th anniversary with the central theme being “VLIZ breaks boundaries”. For this 20th edition we expect even more participants and are moving with the #VMSD20 to another location: CC De Grote Post in Ostend. The program also receives a thorough makeover. For the first time, we supplement the plenary program with various parallel break-out sessions. More than ever #VMSD20 will be an unmissable feast for the marine professional and student, full of opportunities to interact with like-minded and the ideal opportunity to expand your network.
Lead is a heavy metal that, because of its favourable physical properties, is used in many applications, including (recreational) fishing. However, lead is a persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic element (PBT) whose emissions and losses must be reduced as much as possible. To this end, VLIZ publishes a new Policy Information Brief (BIN) that zooms in on the lead issue with regard to fishing products but also identifies opportunities regarding the use of lead-free alternatives.
The Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) turns 20! On Thursday 28 November, the Versluys Arena in Ostend kicked off the festive year 2020. A new VLIZ video and an audio exhibition with stories from 20 privileged witnesses were also launched. In order to celebrate the anniversary with its extensive network, VLIZ organises various activities throughout the festive year 2020 with the central theme 'VLIZ breaks boundaries'.
The Belgian-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce (CCBP) organised an event on Tuesday 19 November with leading Belgian/Flemish and Portuguese companies, members of the European Commission and Parliament, the European Investment Bank (EIB), the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), NGOs and scientific partners, to discuss further cooperation on offshore energy and the blue economy.
The European Marine Board (EMB), in collaboration with European Research Vessel Operators (ERVO), is launching a new Position Paper on European research vessels. The paper provides an extensive overview of the current European research fleet and updates the findings and recommendations of the 2007 EMB Position Paper 10 on "European Ocean Research Fleets - Towards a Common Strategy and Enhanced Use". It is the result of the activities of the EMB Working Group on Research Vessels.
On Thursday 21 November, VLIZ is co-organizing the G-STIC 2019 OCEANS day. The theme day is part of the G-Stic 2019 event, the networking event for companies, policymakers and experts in Brussels Expo. At this conference, marine and maritime actors are invited to help conceive ways in which new technologies and sustainable solutions can be put to the market more quickly.
VLIZ launches yearly a call for ‘Brilliant Marine Research Ideas’ intended to inspire and enable PhD students to execute a brilliant idea during their PhD within the frame of their research. For the call 2020 VLIZ invites, for the first time, companies from the Blue Economy to sponsor as well a BMRI grant.
On 23 October 2019, the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) and the Province of West Flanders launched the brand new 'CoastalINsight2019- The CoastalINsight2019 is a handy pocket book that bundles area-specific figures and analyses about the Belgian coastal zone. This publication is aimed at local policymakers and authorities to inform them in a neutral and objective way about the unique and diverse regional processes and phenomena.
