News

Gladys Mwaka Holeh, a doctoral researcher at VLIZ – Flanders Marine Institute and Ghent University, has been selected as a Blue Food Futures Fellow at the Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions. The prestigious fellowship supports early-career researchers advancing the role of blue foods – foods sourced from aquatic systems – in sustainable global food systems.

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 Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) proudly announces that Dr Gert Everaert, its vice research director and manager of the Ocean and Human Health research group, has received the prestigious Laureate of the Academy Prize in Natural Sciences from the Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium for Science and the Arts (KVAB).

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 .

Plastic pollution remains one of the most pressing social and environmental challenges worldwide. In response, a range of mitigation strategies have been implemented including policy interventions and legislative frameworks, the development of alternative materials, and technological innovations aimed at removing existing plastics from the environment. In her PhD thesis defended on December 3 2025...

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.

Hydro vzw and The Sea as a Good Cause (the philanthropic project of VLIZ) present the prestigious Dr. Edouard Delcroix Research Grant and Incentive Award to scientists working within the broad field of the interaction between the ocean and human health. Would you like to participate? Submit your application before 19 January 2026.

The ocean and coastal areas play a crucial role in our health and well-being. From bioactive compounds derived from marine organisms to the positive effects of coastal landscapes on stress and cognitive functions, marine research continues to provide valuable insights that contribute to medical advancements and overall well-being. The prestigious Delcroix Awards, presented by Hydro vzw and The Sea...

Many people experience a sense of relaxation and well-being when spending time by the sea. Scientific studies have shown that living near the ocean is linked to better health, though the exact reasons for this are not yet fully understood. Recent research by Yunmeng Li (VLIZ, Ghent University, and the University of Antwerp) sheds new light on a surprising factor: the air we breathe at the coast...

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.

In a world where both human and planetary health are under increasing strain, a vital question arises: how can we connect with nature to support our well-being? While the positive effects of nature on mental health are well-known, most research has focused on green spaces, such as forests and parks. However, blue spaces – rivers, lakes, and especially coastal areas – are equally beneficial. Why do...

The VLIZ Marine Science Day 2025, taking place on Wednesday, 5 March at VIVES hogeschool in Bruges, will be a special event, as it marks the 25th anniversary of the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ). In addition to the usual scientific presentations and networking opportunities for marine scientists across a wide range of disciplines, this year’s event offers a unique chance to reflect on VLIZ’s...

VLIZ is pleased to welcome a new group of PhD researchers to our research community. These eight doctoral candidates are each undertaking important projects that address key issues in marine science. Their work will enhance our understanding of the ocean and coastal environments, while contributing to solutions for today’s environmental challenges. From studying microplastics and climate change to...

Bioplastics* cannot be seen as the ‘holy grail’ for the marine plastic problem after all. The research by Zhiyue Niu, PhD student at Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) and UGent, shows that bioplastics also break down into microplastic particles under the influence of UV radiation and wave action, albeit to a lesser extent than the usual petroleum-based plastics. Bioplastics also leak their...