On Saturday 21 March 2026 we invite everyone to join the next edition of the Big Seashell Survey. Shell and beach enthusiasts in Flanders, The Netherlands, and Northern France will scour beaches together to collect, identify and count beached-up shells.
On Saturday, 21 March we invite you to count shells along the coast of The Netherlands, Belgium and the North of France.
Everyone is welcome – with or without prior knowledge. Shell experts will help you collect, sort, and identify shells at your own pace. Come alone, with friends, or with your family and share a moment by the sea!
- In Belgium you can participate in the 10 coastal municipalities, and head to a counting station – from 10 AM to 4 PM. More information (VLIZ and partners): www.groteschelpenteldag.be
- In The Netherlands, you can count on the beaches of Zeeland, South Holland and North Holland. Counts are also taking place on some of the Wadden Islands. More information (Naturalis and partners): www.schelpenteldag.nl
- In northern France, you can join in just across the Belgian-French border, on the beaches near Zuydcoote and Leffrinckoucke. More information (CPIE Flandre Maritime and partners): cpieflandremaritime.fr
This annual counting event has helped to improve our understanding of marine biodiversity, and its changes due to climate change and other human impacts. Help us to understand what happens at sea. Join us on Saturday, 21 March and discover what shell counting does for you!
> More information on the Big Seashell Survey project
