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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 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 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.

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.  

The Science, Research and Innovation performance of the EU and key European countries have been presented in the latest SRIP report by the European Commission's Directorate-general for Research and Innovation. The report combines a macroeconomic analysis with analytical research on policy and speaks to members of the Research and Innovation community, Economics and Finance-policy.

From 17 till 21 September 2018, the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) and LifeWatch Belgium will be organizing the 53^rd edition of the European Marine Biology Symposium (EMBS53) in Ostend, Belgium.

The UN has declared the period from 2021 to 2030 as the “Decade of Ocean Sciences for Sustainable Development”. By doing so, they intend to mobilize more people and resources to streamline and stimulate ocean research.

The CREST project, Climate Resilient Coast, aims to gain insight into physical coastal processes such as waves, tide, currents, sediment dynamics, wind, ... And in the role of these processes in ensuring coastal protection and natural resilience of the Flemish coast in relation to climate change and major international developments. The CREST consortium consists of ten partner institutes from the academic world, the Flemish government and the private sector.