The MIDAS cruises are intended to collect ctd-data from fixed stations along the Belgian coastal waters and underway data shipborn data on a monthly basis. These data will be made available to scientists and all interested parties through the MIDAS database. VLIZ hopes these data will proof usefull to many scientists when collected on a regular basis. Scientists who want to collect data/samples during these cruises are welcom to join. The cruises will also serve testing of instruments to ensure data quality when used during other cruises