The new H2020 BANOS (BAltic and NOrth Sea) CSA project, coordinated by BONUS EEIG, aims to prepare a framework for launching a joint research and innovation programme for the Baltic Sea and the North Sea from 2021. The aim of this future programme is to establish joint research and innovation projects in the Baltic Sea and the North Sea.
Both on a national and European level, promising steps have recently been taken that offer long-term opportunities for research and development in the Belgian North Sea. Read below for a brief overview:
On 7 December 2018, the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) will present the third edition of the Compendium for Coast and Sea at the Grote Post in Ostend (9:30 AM -12:30 PM). After lunch, the annual Scientific Guidance Committee of VLIZ is subsequently organized which is open to a wide group of marine scientists.
The Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) is currently building the 'VLIZ Marine Robotics Centre', which will greatly increase the possibilities for marine research and innovation. In this context, VLIZ offers two permanent positions for enthusiastic candidates who want to contribute to this unique project.
The Compendium Secretariat of the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) held its last expert group meeting within the Compendium for Coast and Sea 2018 trajectory on 17 September. In addition to discussing the general state of affairs, the focus was mainly on the pursued communication strategy and the upcoming launch event. The Compendium for Coast and Sea 2018 will be officially presented on 7 December 2018 at the Grote Post in Ostend.
Following on from the North Sea Vision 2050 process, the Think Tank North Sea is now ready to go. In recent months, the steering committee – chaired by RBINS and VLIZ – has been working on a set of rules and regulations, and the process has been carefully laid out. From now on, interested parties are able to provide relevant themes that can be addressed by the think tank. All burning topics for the North Sea can be delivered via the following template.
ASSEMBLE Plus opens a second call for international access for scientists to the best European marine infrastructure. The funding available will provide researchers with easy and effective access to some of the most advanced research infrastructures in the European Union, while ensuring continuous progress in knowledge and technology. The research infrastructure comprises biological resources, facilities and data that are of particular interest to academic scientists, industry and policy.
De Speurgids Ondernemen en Innoveren is een jaarlijkse publicatie van het departement Economie, Wetenschap en Innovatie (EWI) van de Vlaamse overheid met als doel een inkijk te geven in de overheidskredieten voor het Vlaams economisch- en wetenschapsbeleid. Daaruit blijkt dat er in 2018 meer dan 2,858 miljard euro gereserveerd is voor economie, wetenschap en innovatie.
The European Commission has recently published its annual report on the status and trends of the European Blue Economy. The European Blue Economy - all activities related to oceans, seas and coastal areas - has experienced strong growth over the last decade. With a turnover of 566 billion euros, the sector generates 174 billion euros in added value and creates employment for almost 3.5 million people (2016).
Spearhead Cluster
The Blue Cluster is the sixth Spearhead Cluster in Flanders, following Catalisti (chemistry), Flux50 (energy), VIL (logistics), Flanders Food (agro food) and SIM (new materials). The Blue Clusters has been launched on the 26th of June in Ostend, in the presence of 250 representatives from the industry, universities an research institutes. Those Spearhead Clusters are far-reaching partnerships between companies, knowledge institutes and the government
Economic activities and investments
From 29 June to 28 September 2018, you can provide input on the draft marine spatial plan (MSP) 2020-2026 for the Belgian part of the North Sea.
The Belgian Marine Strategy is our national strategy to protect the marine environment of the BPNS that fits within the framework of the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). Its main objective is to achieve and maintain a 'Good Environmental Status' of our marine waters and, where possible, to restore damage to the ecosystem. Until July 15, the possibility is given to express your thoughts and remarks on the draft reports for the Belgian Marine Strategy.
SeaConomy, an interdisciplinary consortium of representatives from all links in the seaweed chain, from breeding to consumption, presents its vision text towards the realization of the Flemish cultivation, processing and marketing of seaweed products.
The FWO is strongly committed to international cooperation as a lever for scientific excellence. In this context, FWO and CAS are going to finance two-year cooperation projects in all scientific research fields. This cooperation agreement aims to offer young researchers the possibility to realize their mobility towards and from the Czech Republic. Therefore, in each scientific cooperation project at Flemish side at least one young scientist, with no more than 6 years of postdoctoral experience, should be engaged.
The VLIZ Marine Science Day 2018 was a very successful edition with no less than 370 junior and senior marine scientists finding their way to MEC Staf Versluys, Bredene.
A well-filled programme including pitch presentations, poster sessions and a networking event 'Meet the Company' was preceded by an inspiring keynote by researcher Veerle Huvenne from the British National Oceanography Centre (NOC). She spoke, among other things, about how technological developments can help to achieve a better understanding of the marine environment.
The Flemish Government approves the co-financing of the EFRO project 1040 - 'Blue Accelerator' to POM West-Vlaanderen in the framework of the EFRO Flanders 2014-2020 programme.
The Flanders Innovation and Entrepreneurship agency (VLAIO) has given the go-ahead for the recognition of a sixth spearhead cluster, which aims to promote economic development and innovation in the Belgian part of the North Sea.
Through the publication of a new Policy Informing Brief, the Flanders Marine Institute intends to provide a concise overview of all scientific studies that were conducted in the context of either the Flemish Bays – project or the subsequent Complex Project Coastal Vision, and which focus on any possible forms of hydraulic engineering that might take place in front of the eastern part of the Belgian coast. Such an overview was demanded by several members of the Policy Commission Complex Project Coastal Vision.
The upcoming FUST Ocean event (14-15 May) will showcase the impact of collaboration between the Government of Flanders and UNESCO and its Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission related to ocean and coastal areas.
