News

Between 2008 and 2024, Belgian universities and research institutes published between 447 and 974 peer-reviewed papers each year, across 2,006 different scientific journals. This output is on a par with the larger marine institutes in our neighbouring countries. A growing share of these papers is open access, rising from about 34% in 2008 to a provisional high of 79% in 2023.

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.

For young oysters, finding the right place to settle is literally a matter of life and death. Their transition from free-swimming larvae to permanently attached adults is guided by a wide range of environmental cues. In her recently defended doctoral research, Sarah Schmidlin demonstrates that the Pacific oyster ( Magallana gigas ) uses not only chemical signals but also underwater sounds and...

Flanders is internationally recognised for its wide range of marine and maritime companies and research institutes. The brochure 'Gearing up our blue knowledge' gives a clear overview and snapshot of our expertise and achievements in this field.

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...

As of 2023, Belgium is home to a total of 144 marine research groups, setting a new record. This is according to the annual inventory of the Belgian marine research landscape conducted by the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ). Belgian marine research stands out for its global collaboration and the open availability of scientific knowledge. With a total of 144 marine research groups (MRGs) in 2023...

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...

Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ, Belgium) takes a major step towards full-fledged remote-controlled operations for marine research and innovation. Following a European tender, VLIZ awarded the contract for the construction of a long-range, multi-purpose, unmanned surface vehicle (USV) to Maritime Robotics (Norway). Over the last year, Maritime Robotics and VLIZ have collaborated intensively on the...

With the commissioning of the state-of-the-art robot 'USV Gobelijn' and the fast work boat 'Abbé Mann', the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) has reached a new milestone. In combination with the realisation of a science port in Ostend, the research institute is ready for more flexible and remotely operated groundbreaking marine research and innovation.

This spring, the Flanders Marine Institute is opening six vacancies to recruit new PhD candidates. Curious which new research projects we are launching in close collaboration with one or more of the Flemish universities?

The importance of marine research and innovation is greater than ever before, driven by the ocean's key role in addressing major societal challenges. The Belgian marine research and innovation landscape is taking an increasingly prominent role with high-quality, internationally oriented research at the interface between people, the environment and the economy.

Be part of the programme of VLIZ Marine Science Day 2024 on 6 March 2024 at De Grote Post in Oostende. The #VMSD24 – formally framed within the Belgian EU Presidency – will revolve entirely around the EU Mission Ocean & Waters, and its three main themes: ocean pollution, climate/carbon, and biodiversity. Make your own research part of the #VMSD24 programme and submit an abstract by 12 January 2024...

The Sea as a Good Cause supports young, original-thinking marine researchers by once again awarding 6 research grants - each worth EUR 5,000. PhD students and junior postdocs in Flanders, as well as PhD students from the South, who dare to think out-of-the box, are eligible for this research funding. Deadline for submitting proposals: 26 January 2024.

Have you recently defended your BSc, MSc or PhD thesis on a marine research theme? Then you have until 31 December to apply for one of the VLIZ Marine Science Awards 2023. From now on, with a slight twist in the conditions to participate.

Two promising young marine scientists from Chile and Ecuador were offered a travel grant through the VLIZ philanthropy. With this grant, they participated in the international Blue Science and Technology summer training, in Ostend, Ghent and Zeeland. A nice great stepping stone for their further professional careers!