News

The European Commission will support 22 new sustainable blue projects under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund. A total of €15.1 million will be distributed to 104 companies from 22 countries. Belgium is participating in two projects through the AlgaeDemo project and the AQUA-LIT project. With the Blue Bioeconomy call, the EC wants to promote the implementation of a sustainable blue economy throughout the EU and the Mediterranean Sea basin.

"Science, Innovation and Blue Society - Our engagement with the ocean". Under this motto, the organizers of the MARINA conference want to stimulate the debate on the challenges facing the marine and maritime community as more and more Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) principles are implemented in research and innovation processes. Abstracts on RRI experiences related to the marine domain can be submitted until 8 February.

Two thirds of the seas and oceans are beyond national jurisdiction. At present, the protection of this high sea and the seabed is only regulated in a very general way by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS, 1982). The so-called "Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction" (BBNJ) process aims to change this and is based on UN-Resolution 72/249 of 24 December 2017 for the drafting of a legally binding convention on the protection and sustainable use of marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction. To support this process, Belgium will hold a stakeholder consultation on the four key issues of this future convention on 14 February 2019.

On the initiative of North Sea Minister Philippe De Backer and Minister for Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development Marie Christine Marghem, the Belgian government is organising an international high-level conference on climate change and the preservation of our oceans. With this event, the Belgian government wants to stimulate an increased commitment to one of the biggest challenges of this century, namely the impact of global warming on the oceans.

An overview of funding opportunities for projects in the research and innovation domain in winter and spring 2019.

 

On April 1 2019 the Antwerp Maritime Academy holds the second international symposium on corrosion and fouling on ships and structures at sea.

The Flanders Marine Institute is organising the next VLIZ Marine Science Day (VMSD) on 13 March 2019, which will again take place in the Staf Versluyscentrum, Bredene. The VMSD is an annual interdisciplinary network and information event for everyone concerned with marine and coastal sciences in Flanders/Belgium and the neighbouring regions. During this edition, the SDGs - Sustainable Development Goals will be the theme of the day.

With the launch of the Compendium for Coast and Sea 2018, the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) has already reached the third edition of this multifunctional guide for marine experts. As in previous editions, the Compendium aims to encompass the dispersive information from the Flemish-Belgian marine sciences in a scientific and neutral way. To this end, the Compendium secretariat worked intensively with an extensive network of experts. For this latest edition of the Compendium for Coast and Sea, all publications were thoroughly revised and a lot of attention was paid to improving the recognisability and user experience. 

In addition to the Compendium for Coast and Sea 2018, VLIZ is also launching a new web portal for marine experts, the Coastal Portal.

On 7 December 2018, the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) launches the Compendium for Coast and Sea (2018) at cultural centre the Grote Post in Ostend (9.30 a.m. - 12.30 p.m.). The launch event will be linked to the importance of marine research in Flanders and Belgium and its valorisation in innovative applications or sustainable marine policy. The evolution of marine research in the last 10 years and the needs for the future will also be discussed. In the afternoon you can join the open Scientific Guidance Committee VLIZ (2 PM -4 PM) where large ongoing and upcoming projects within VLIZ are discussed. Read below for details about the programme and registration.

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.

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).

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.