News

The Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) is leading the way in European measurements of CO 2 at the ocean surface. This European hub of the so-called Surface Ocean CO 2 Atlas (SOCAT) has been newly created to coordinate annual updates to the SOCAT synthesis products and support SOCAT. This hub provides statistics for SOCAT, tracks publications using SOCAT, and maintains the SOCAT website.

This week (22–28 February 2026), VLIZ is well represented at the Ocean Sciences Meeting in Glasgow, Scotland. The Ocean Sciences Meeting (OSM) is the flagship conference for the ocean sciences and the wider ocean-connected community. In addition to several oral and poster presentations, VLIZ employees will (co-)chair various sessions and attend back-to-back meetings. See the full overview of VLIZ...

On Wednesday 4 March 2026, the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) brings together the marine scientific community on the VLIZ Marine Science Day 2026 at De Grote Post, Ostend. This edition will be entirely devoted to the internationalisation of marine research and will offer a dynamic programme with inspiring speakers, interactive sessions and opportunities to strengthen cross-border collaborations...

On Friday 6 February 2026, VLIZ hosted the VLIZ PhD Symposium at the InnovOcean Campus in Ostend. This one-day event brought together PhD researchers, supervisors, external advisors and collaborators. It highlighted the diversity, quality and societal relevance of doctoral research conducted within the VLIZ Research Department in close collaboration with universities.

The ocean absorbs more than a quarter of our CO₂ emissions. But we still know too little about where and how much exactly, especially in remote areas where little data is collected. Surprisingly, sailing boats – during training sessions and competitions – can help to fill in these 'blind spots'. A recent study – to which Peter Landschützer of VLIZ contributed – showed that this citizen science...

From 17 to 20 November 2026, the World Conference on Marine Biodiversity 2026 will bring the global marine biodiversity community together in the historic city of Bruges, Belgium. Join the scientific conference as a participant or abstract presenter. On 18 November, the general public is also invited to a special screening of the deep-sea documentary How Deep is Your Love .

The latest publication from the European Marine Board takes a clear stance on the potential of today’s ocean-based approaches for extracting CO₂ from the atmosphere — known as marine Carbon Dioxide Removal (mCDR). An analysis of the most prominent ocean-based methods shows that none of them currently provide a viable alternative to cutting emissions at the source. Rapid reduction of CO₂ emissions...

Global carbon emissions from fossil fuels are projected to rise by 1.1% in 2025 – reaching a record high, according to new research by the Global Carbon Project. The 2025 Global Carbon Budget projects 38.1 billion tonnes of fossil carbon dioxide (CO 2) emissions this year. Decarbonisation of energy systems is progressing in many countries – but this is not enough to offset the growth in global...

Michiel Perneel’s PhD research at the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ), the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology (VIB), and Ghent University used advanced genetic techniques to uncover what plankton are actually doing in the Belgian North Sea. By applying metatranscriptomics – which reveals which genes are active at a given moment – he tracked the daily and seasonal activities of microscopic...

The philanthropic arm of VLIZ – The Sea as a Good Cause – continues to support young, creative marine researchers. This year, six research grants will be awarded again to PhD students and junior postdocs working in Flanders, as well as to doctoral students from the Global South. Key requirement: dare to think differently, dare to be innovative. Submit your proposal by 19 January 2026.

During the unprecedented marine heatwave in 2023, the global ocean absorbed significantly less CO₂ than anticipated. That show measurements analysed by an international team of climate scientists, including Peter Landschützer of the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ).

Seven experts from Belgian universities and research institutes have been appointed as authors of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC) Seventh Assessment Report (AR7). They are among the 761 researchers worldwide who have been selected to contribute to what will be the IPCC’s most comprehensive review of climate science to date. VLIZ is contributing climate scientist Peter...

VLIZ climate researcher Alizée Roobaert is one of the finalists of the prestigious 2024 Chen Institute and Science Prize for AI Accelerated Research. Alizée developed an innovative AI solution to monitor oceanic climate dynamics. Her essay is published in today’s issue of Science online.

Groundbreaking research thrives on passion, innovation and persistence. At the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ), our commitment to polar climate research exemplifies this principle. Since the launch of the Marine Robotics Centre six years ago, collaboration between engineers, researchers and state-of-the-art infrastructure has rapidly positioned VLIZ as a key player in polar science. By...

As climate change accelerates and sea levels rise, coastal regions face unprecedented threats. Traditional methods of coastal protection are evolving to meet the challenges of the 21st century. Enter the dune-dike solution: a hybrid, nature-based approach that combines natural dunes with man-made dikes to offer resilient, adaptable, and sustainable coastal protection. This method is gaining...

The newly appointed EU Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans Costas Kadis visited – at the invitation and in the presence of Minister Crevits, Governor Decaluwé and a delegation of European, federal, regional and local dignitaries – the research facilities of the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) and the Institute for Agricultural, Fisheries and Food Research (ILVO) in Ostend on 20 January. In the...

From November 26-27, the vibrant city of Málaga hosted CommOCEAN 2024, bringing together 135 participants passionate about marine science communication. Organized by the European Marine Board Communication Panel, the conference was a platform for exchanging ideas, exploring innovative strategies, and fostering collaborations.

The by VLIZ developed PANTHYR instrument is playing a key role in enhancing satellite observations for marine environmental monitoring. The installation in Chesapeake Bay (USA), not only measures water quality but also validates crucial satellite data of NASA’s newest PACE mission.