Wed, 08 Feb 2012 01:53:24 +0000 en Wed, 18 Jan 2012 11:18:56 +0000 The 'VLIZ Young Marine Scientists' Day' 2012 invites all marine scientists in Flanders and around. On Friday 24 February you can discover the quality, diversity and relevance of the multidsiciplinaire marine research in Bruges (KHBO). Please register asap, since the number of seats is limited.... ]]> Tue, 06 Dec 2011 15:06:29 +0000 The new Flemish research vessel Simon Stevin is lifted on board of the "heavy lift schip" MS Paula and put on transport from Romania towards Stellendam in the Netherlands.... ]]> Tue, 15 Nov 2011 12:31:10 +0000 PRESS ALERT: It doesn’t happen every day that a Flemish institution is globally recognized for its sustained efforts. The Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) was awarded this honour and saw its efforts in managing marine data since 2000 rewarded with an international certification within the World Data System of the International Council for Science (ICSU). VLIZ is now an official member of a global network of 28 world data centres.... ]]> Tue, 25 Oct 2011 13:09:43 +0000 The 'VLIZ Young Marine Scientists' Day' 2012 invites all marine scientists in Flanders and around. On Friday 24 February you can discover the quality, diversity and relevance of the multidsiciplinaire marine research in Bruges (KHBO). Submit your abstract by 9 December 2011 and present your research in a clear, concise and attractive way.... ]]> Mon, 24 Oct 2011 12:54:42 +0000 On Friday 21 October 16:00, the new Flemish research vessel "Simon Stevin" has been launched in Galati (Roemenia). The body of the vessel - in the near future replacing the current "R/V Zeeleeuw" - will be shipped to the yard of Maaskant Shipyards Stellendam (part of the Damen Shipyards Group) in The Netherlands, to be completed there.... ]]> Mon, 10 Oct 2011 13:51:46 +0000 ...to support the core activities of the Marine Board secretariat in working with marine scientists to deliver scientific strategy and foresight, driving future seas and oceans research. The work will also include support to activities funded by the European Commission via Framework Programme 7 projects, and other contracts. Read more on the profile and conditions. Please send your application by 3 November 2011. ]]> Tue, 27 Sep 2011 13:21:14 +0000 Are you the next laureat of the ‘VLIZ North Sea Award’? Scientists or research groups can submit their subscription file until the 15th of November 2011.... ]]> Tue, 27 Sep 2011 12:51:01 +0000 Did you recently graduate at a Flemish university or technical college? Are you proud of your marine (or coastal) thesis? Then you have to apply for the VLIZ Thesis Awards for Marine Sciences 2011! Subscription before the 15th of November 2011.... ]]> Wed, 06 Jul 2011 12:50:13 +0000 The closing conference of the FP7-project CLAMER (European Research and Public Perception of Climate Change Impacts in the Marine Environment) - 15 September 2011, Brussels - will give a state-of-the-art of the EU research results on marine climate change, including the results of a pan-European public poll, conducted to investigate public views and understanding about climate change and the marine environment. Leading experts in climate change science and related mitigation and adaptation strategies will be given the floor, among them Chairman and Vice-Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The CLAMER documentary film, ‘Living with a warming ocean’ will be premiered at the conference pre-event on the evening of 14 September.... ]]> Mon, 30 May 2011 20:46:40 +0000 To celebrate World Oceans Day 2011, the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) organises a full evening`s programme in Bruges, Belgium. Three experts inform the public at large on a sea in constant change (in Dutch).... ]]> Tue, 10 May 2011 07:36:27 +0000 The portal of PESI (Pan-European Species directories Infrastructure) has been launched: www.eu-nomen.eu/portal and is available in 21 European languages. With time, it will be possible to find and search through the information of all species appearing in Europe. Not only the species living in seas and oceans, but also of all terrestrial and aquatic species. Currently, there are already nearly half a million scientific and non-scientific names in 88 languages for over 210 000 species and over 6 million distribution records.... ]]> Mon, 21 Mar 2011 15:21:43 +0000 The North Sea has fundamentally changed. Big tuna fish and biologically rich seafloors including native oyster banks have largely disappeared during the last centuries and made room for all kind of human activities (fisheries, shipping, sand and gravel extraction, pollution, etc.) and for highly impacted underwater landscapes. However, the tide seems to be turning and at present about 5.4% of the North Sea is designated as a marine protected area (MPA). From early experience with these MPAs and with the newly installed management regulations that are being prepared in most of the North Sea countries, it appears how crucial scientific knowledge is in monitoring and underpinning a successful management. During the symposium “The North Sea, field lab for marine protection” (Leuven, Belgium, 22 March 2011), an overview of the current state of MPA’s and these research actions will be the central topics.... ]]> Mon, 14 Mar 2011 11:55:08 +0000 On Friday 11 March Japan was hit by a massive earthquake, with the epicentre lying approximately 130km offshore the northeast coast. Promptly a tsunami ánd tsunami alert followed. The progress of the wave could be followed via the Sea Level Station Monitoring Facility - a website developed by the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) in Ostend/Belgium for the Project Office for IODE (IOC/UNESCO) and several IOC programmes.... ]]> Mon, 07 Mar 2011 13:30:27 +0000 On Friday 25 February 333 marine scientists from Flanders and around met at the eleventh edition of the VLIZ Young Marine Scientists' Day at the site Oud Sint-Jan in Bruges. The day was full of surprising pitch speeches and an extensive poster session. This gave the participants a nice overview of the latest, current marine and coastal research. The public could vote for the best speaker and poster. The floor was also given to the winners of the VLIZ awards 2010. In what follows, we give an overview of all winners and many photographs of the event.... ]]> Fri, 04 Mar 2011 10:01:56 +0000 On Friday 4 March 2011, the French biomedical scientist Dr. Eric Honoré will be awarded the prestigious ‘Prize Dr. Edouard Delcroix’ 2010 in Ostend, for his in-depth research on the beneficial impact of fish-derived polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on cardiovascular disease mortality.... ]]> Thu, 24 Feb 2011 15:53:53 +0000 Every year the VLIZ employs several students for the months of July, August or September. You can apply by sending a mail with your CV and an application letter to jan.mees@vliz.be.... ]]> Mon, 21 Feb 2011 10:17:35 +0000 Until 2 May researchers of European universities and public research institutions can demand for free access on board of 12 European regional research vessels.... ]]> Thu, 17 Feb 2011 14:12:51 +0000 In February 2011 the Flemish research vessel Zeeleeuw celebrated its 10th anniversary. On the celebration - held on Wednesday 9 February - a hunderd users and sympathizers were present. The history of the ship and its importance for marine science and education in Flanders was emphasized.... ]]> Wed, 09 Feb 2011 12:30:38 +0000 Join us on the 25th of February 2011 for the eleventh edition of the ‘VLIZ Young Marine Scientists' Day’. 300 marine and coastal scientists from our North Sea region registred yet to participate to this marine happening, but registration is open till the 18th of February. Remember: the Young Marine Scientsist' Day is D-Day to meet each other and learn to know each others work within an informal, interdisciplinary marine atmosphere on the site van Oud Sint-Jan in Bruges.... ]]> Fri, 10 Dec 2010 16:12:12 +0000 Between 25 and 27 January our marine technician Michiel T'Jampens will follow a multibeam training onboard the RV G.O. Sars near Bergen (Norway). The acquired skills will be used in future multibeam work on the new research vessel 'Simon Stevin'.... ]]> Fri, 10 Dec 2010 09:12:50 +0000 The World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) and associated databases are an index to the book of life, but our further goal is for every species to have its face on the web.... ]]> Fri, 26 Nov 2010 15:23:23 +0000 Kindly block 25 February in your diary. On that day VLIZ organises the 2011 edition of the VLIZ Young Marine Scientists' Day. A day where you can meet the marine and coastal scientists from the region of Flanders and surroundings. A day interesting for students and recently started researchers, as well as for senior reserachers. For all of them it is definitively important to get an overview of the very diverse and high qualitative marine research landscape in our region.... ]]> Mon, 01 Nov 2010 08:00:00 +0000 Oceanographers worldwide, united in the Partnership for the Observation of the Global Oceans (POGO) - where VLIZ represents the Belgian marine scientists - and the organisation ‘Oceans United’ will plead on the GEO Plenary and Ministerial Summit for a more systematic monitoring of the state of our global oceans. By means of recent and innovative digital developments, an implementation of such a surveillance system is feasible. Now more than ever.... ]]> Thu, 28 Oct 2010 18:14:09 +0000 On the symposium ‘The North Sea, a field lab for marine protection’ experts in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) can share their experiences on the use of scientific knowledge to designate, manage and monitor these speciale areas of conservation (with focus to the North Sea).... ]]> Fri, 15 Oct 2010 10:37:25 +0000 Marine scientists from across Europe gathered in Ostend at the EurOCEAN 2010 Conference (12-13 October) where the Ostend Declaration was adopted. This declaration will act as a guideline to address the grand challenges and opportunities facing Europe’s seas and oceans in the coming decade. ]]> Fri, 01 Oct 2010 11:02:00 +0000 Together with a wide range of field experts from Belgium and taxonomic experts worldwide, the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) started to compile an inventory of all species living in the Belgian part of North Sea. At the moment, the Belgian Register of Marine Species (BeRMS) comprises 2187 species. An updated version of this list is consultable at all times via the new website of the Belgian register of Marine Species (BeRMS).... ]]> Mon, 27 Sep 2010 12:57:56 +0000 An important mission of the Flanders Marine Institute is to create visibility for the marine and coastal research in Flanders. We therefore invest a lot in disseminating the output of the Flemish scientists via the world wide web.... ]]> Mon, 27 Sep 2010 09:55:24 +0000 Until the 4th of October, individuals or organisations can give their support and comments on the draft text of the "Ostend declaration". The statement will be launched on the 13th of October as the final piece of EurOCEAN2010. This international top-meeting will bring together the European marine scientists and policy makers. They will formulate the state-of-the-art in marine research and will reveal the needs for Europe to invest in, so a excellent maritime policy can be lead.... ]]> Fri, 24 Sep 2010 06:59:58 +0000 To underpin and implement the integrated European Maritime Policy, including the Framework Marine Strategy, all available knowledge have to be combined and mobilized. Europe's fragmented activities for observing the sea should be integrated into an coherent package. With its new campaign 'Marine Knowledge 2020' the EU want to draw the attention to the further extension of a 'European Observation and Data Netwerk (EMODnet)'. Presently VLIZ coordinates the biological pilot project of EMODnet (2009-2012). The European Commission assembled a promotional video for the campaign with a.o. images of VLIZ and Flemish marine scientist at work.... ]]> Thu, 16 Sep 2010 11:17:28 +0000 award (1.000 EUR) for study on the structure and functioning of the North Sea ecosystem, with emphasis on coastal and estuarine areas of the Southern Bight and the Channel. Deadline: 29.10.2010

---

]]> Thu, 16 Sep 2010 11:15:48 +0000 awards (500 EUR) for marine Master theses. Deadline: 29.10.2010

---

]]> Fri, 10 Sep 2010 11:15:26 +0000 With a 89,000 km long coastline, Europe is a maritime continent which derives huge societal benefits from its seas and oceans. Coastal regions host almost half the population of EU countries with a sea border. To consolidate and reinforce the sustainable use of its marine waters and to meet the grand challenges and opportunities of the future, Europe has developed holistic policies, including the Integrated Maritime Policy and its environmental pillar, the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. To support the implementation of these policies Europe will need to invest more in marine research and technology. The "Ostend Declaration", a statement that will be prepared and discussed by Europe’s marine science experts and policy makers at the occasion of the high-level EurOCEAN 2010 Conference in Ostend (12-13 October 2010), will outline the research and policy needs for the next decade. ]]> Mon, 06 Sep 2010 11:31:33 +0000 Until recently, the ScheldeMonitor was mainly known as an information system containing all publications, projects and data sets with regard to research and monitoring in the Scheldt estuary. Now major steps were made to develop ScheldeMonitor further into a data portal in which actual measurement data can be consulted.... ]]> Thu, 02 Sep 2010 09:07:24 +0000 The Project Office for IODE, hosted and supported by the Flemish Government through the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ), is in search of a permanent staff member for the coordination of its international renomated technical training programme.... ]]> Thu, 12 Aug 2010 07:46:02 +0000 A final decision has been taken: the Dutch shipbuilder “Damen Shipyards Gorinchem” has been commissioned for the construction of the Simon Stevin, the ultramodern research vessel that will replace the "Zeeleeuw". The Flemish government gave its final approval on 5 August 2010, after which the order for the construction could be given. The ship will have a length of 36 m, a width of 9 m and a draught of 3 m. With its maximum speed of 12 knots, it will be used for marine scientific research in Belgian waters. According to the information provided by the shipyard the vessel could be completed by mid-2012.... ]]> Thu, 24 Jun 2010 09:31:41 +0000 As since 1960 the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO is active in the oceans and seas all over the world. On the 8th of June 2010 – on the occasion of the celebration of their fifty years existence – a message on behave of the oceans was spread to all peoples and nations of the world. It is a plea to deal more carefully with the oceans and to give them the attention they earn. Marine scientists are asked specifically to continue their work with dedication: to gather and interpret marine data, to inform the public and decision-makers of the results of their studies and to maintain a collegiate and multidisciplinary community.... ]]> Wed, 23 Jun 2010 08:36:50 +0000 In 1843 professor Pierre-Joseph van Beneden from Leuven installed the world’s very first marine research station in Ostend. In doing so the Belgian professor was ahead of his time and of a wave of similar stations elsewhere in Europe and the world, and would lay the foundation of a long tradition of marine institutes in Ostend. A meticulous study of historical source material now also shows the exact location of this Belgian world first, which has since disappeared. This fact is celebrated on 25 June with the unveiling of a commemorative plaque at the façade of VLIZ and some explanation on the occasion of the launch of the ‘Zeekrant 2010’ newsletter.... ]]> Thu, 01 Apr 2010 08:32:33 +0000 The EurOCEAN 2010 Conference in Ostende, Belgium (12-13 October 2010) will provide a unique opportunity for the European marine science community to consider, discuss and respond to new policy developments and achievements since the last EurOCEAN conference (2007, Aberdeen); and to highlight new challenges and opportunities for marine research in the next decade.
More info on www.eurocean2010.eu. Save the date!... ]]> Wed, 31 Mar 2010 09:16:48 +0000 The Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) collaborated in the development of a user-friendly web application for the calculation of the biologic BEQI-index (Benthic Ecosystem Quality Index), making the ecologic assessment of coastal and transitional waters based on bottom animals (macrobenthos) - according to the Water Framework Directive - more accessible: www.beqi.eu.... ]]> Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:29:23 +0000 The progress of the tsunami was followed closely via the sea level monitoringssystem, developed by IOC/UNESCO, IODE and VLIZ in Oostend, Belgium.... ]]> Wed, 16 Dec 2009 11:33:12 +0000 Until the 15^th of January marine researchers at European universities of institutes can express their interest in funded ship time onboard of numerous European research vessels.... ]]> Wed, 16 Dec 2009 10:33:25 +0000 Version 5.0 of this global database covering the maritime boundaries of all coastal states worldwide is now available at www.vliz.be/vmdcdata/marbound. In 2009 VLIZ counted more than 2000 downloads by users from all over the world. The dataset is used for the preparation of building and development plans at sea, environmental impact assessments, marine and coastal studies, school projects, etc.... ]]> Tue, 08 Dec 2009 21:59:10 +0000 On Friday 27 November all marine scientists of Flanders and surrounding met! Because of the 10^th anniversary of the Flanders Marine Institute a special edition of the VLIZ Young Scientists' Day was organised in Hotel Thermae Palace in Oostende. Here you can find all winners of the contests and pictures of the event.... ]]> Fri, 04 Dec 2009 11:43:49 +0000 With this initiative the UNESCO/IOC Project Office for IODE, in co-operation with the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ), wants the local marine scientists to get in touch with world leading experts, often present at the InnovOcean Site in Ostend for a training course or meeting. On the 14th of December 2009 an afternoon session (16.00 - 18.30) is organised in which three specialists of EUMETSAT, WMO and NOAA will explain how satellite wind and wave products are implemented in marine forecasting.... ]]> Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:50:26 +0000 By the end of November we have a big celebration in Oostende! The Flanders Marine Institute celebrates its 10 year anniversary with a two-day event in Thermae Palace. On Thursday 26 November there is a full evening's programme on the coast and sea for the public at large (in Dutch - BOOKED UP). During the day on Friday 27 November we organise the 10th VLIZ Young Marine Scientists' Day: a must for all marine researchers in Flanders and surroundings! That night an academic ceremony is closing off the festivities (only for invited guests; in Dutch). ]]> Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:16:24 +0000 Earlier the VLIZ and IOC developed the Sea Level Station Monitoring Facility. Through this web-based application one can easily control the operational status of global and regional networks of real time sea level stations, and perform a quick inspection of the raw data stream from almost 300 GLOSS stations along the coasts of the Indian Ocean, the North East Atlantic & Mediterranean, the Pacific and the Caribbean. Now the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) officially received the mandate to function as a GLOSS data centre for real-time sea level data. In this way the Flanders marine Data Centre (FMDC) will assist the three other GLOSS designated data centre: PSMSL (Permanent Service for Mean Sea Level), BODC (British Oceanographic Data Centre) en UHSLC (University of Hawaii Sea Level Centre).... ]]> Fri, 09 Oct 2009 08:48:11 +0000 The project EUROFLEETS – “Towards an alliance of European research fleets” - funded by the European Commission in the 7th Framework program was launched on 20-22 September, with a meeting of about 100 scientists and fleet operators in Paris. VLIZ is one of the 24 partners.... ]]> Wed, 07 Oct 2009 09:02:15 +0000 With the website of the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS: www.marinespecies.org) the VLIZ and worldwide taxonomic experts aim to provide the most authoritative list of names of all marine species globally, ever published. The number of visitors to this website is increasing. Now monthly 1,000,000 hits are counted, meaning on an average day more than 2,000 visits per day.... ]]> Mon, 05 Oct 2009 13:07:13 +0000 In order to give marine scientists in Flanders the opportunity to stay informed about the latest developments in the field of oceanography in general and marine data and information management, marine biodiversity and ocean modeling in particular, the IOC Project Office for IODE has started - in cooperation with the Flanders Marine Institute - with the organisation of scientific seminars. On 19 October 2009 three top scientists will present their work with atmosphere-ocean models to deal with coastal hazards.... ]]> Fri, 04 Sep 2009 13:11:01 +0000 The MARBOUND database, documenting the boundaries of the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ's) of countries worldwide, is updated again. The last version differs from version 3.0 in the repaired boundary between Canada and USA and a higher precision of the boundary between Denmark and Germany (at the Flensburg Fjord). The new shapefiles, together with their earlier versions, are now available on the MARBOUND website.... ]]>