The Marine Observation Centre (MOC) conducts long-term observations in the marine environment. These improve understanding of the dynamics and changes in marine biodiversity and coastal ecosystems. The observation systems that MOC uses for this purpose are partly developed and optimised in-house. They consist of a network of bio-sensors at sea and in the coastal zone, combined with multidisciplinary measurement campaigns carried out by our research vessel RV Simon Stevin on the Belgian part of the North Sea.
Research within MOC focuses, among other things, on optimising DNA- and image-based observations, acoustic detection and biotelemetry in the pelagic ecosystem. The Marine Observation Centre (MOC) of the VLIZ builds on the activities initiated within the LifeWatch ESFRI project.
Person of Contact: Klaas Deneudt (Klaas.Deneudt@VLIZ.be)
Services:
- Observations and high-quality long-term data sets, using innovative advanced automated techniques (biotelemetry, GPS localisation, image-based and acoustic recordings, genetic profiling, etc.) ;
- Monthly multi-disciplinary monitoring cruise in the Belgian part of the North Sea;
- Development and refinement of smart measurement methods, using artificial intelligence and machine learning, among others;
- Contribute to strengthening Europe's capacity in biological ocean observations and participate in local, European or global projects and networks, with a focus on marine observations and observation systems;
- Valorisation of high-quality long-term data sets, contributing to research in areas such as plankton ecology, echolocation and sound in the sea, biotelemetry and fish movements.
Recent and relevant publications
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Aubert, A.; Beauchard, O.; de Blok, R.; Artigas, F.L.; Sabbe, K.; Vyverman, W.; Amadei Martínez, L.; Deneudt, K.; Louchart, A.; Mortelmans, J.; Rijkeboer, M.; Debusschere, E. (2022). From bacteria to zooplankton: An integrative approach revealing regional spatial patterns during the spring phytoplankton bloom in the Southern Bight of the North Sea. Front. Mar. Sci. 9: 863996. https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2022.863996
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Ollevier, A.; Mortelmans, J.; Vandegehuchte, M.; Develter, R.; De Troch, M.; Deneudt, K. (2022). A Video Plankton Recorder user guide: Lessons learned from in situ plankton imaging in shallow and turbid coastal waters in the Belgian part of the North Sea. J. Sea Res. 188: 102257. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.seares.2022.102257
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Parcerisas, C.; Roca, I.T.; Botteldooren, D.; Devos, P.; Debusschere, E. (2023). Categorizing shallow marine soundscapes using explained clusters. J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 11(3): 550. https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/jmse11030550
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van der Knaap, I.; Slabbekoorn, H.; Moens, T.; Van den Eynde, D.; Reubens, J. (2022). Effects of pile driving sound on local movement of free-ranging Atlantic cod in the Belgian North Sea. Environ. Pollut. 300: 118913. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2022.118913
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Verhelst, P.; Reubens, J.; Coeck, J.; Moens, T.; Simon, J.; Van Wichelen, J.; Westerberg, H.; Wysujack, K.; Righton, D. (2022). Mapping silver eel migration routes in the North Sea. NPG Scientific Reports 12(1): 318. https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-04052-7
COST- The European Aquatic Animal Tracking Network
Marco-Bolo: Marine & coastal biodiversity long-term observation framework
- FISHOWF: Developing effective monitoring strategies to identify and evaluate effects of offshore windmill farms on fish communities. 2021-2024, coordinated and funded by France Energies Marines.