Posts

Posted on

Production of more sensors and retrieval of thermometer at the port of Cotonou

Friday the 4th of October 2019,

Today we prepared the composition of a different type of sensor containing a GSM system in stead of a GPS. We collected the thermometer we left at the port yesterday, the thermometer was still switched on, a promising sign. On monday we will retrieve and analyse the data inside.

Reporter: Médard Honfo
Pictures: Katrijn Baetens

In order to reach the goal of today (composing a new sensor) different chores had to be executed:
Buying SIM cards

Buying SIM cards with a good formula, not so easy as it seems

We discussed several options for new thermometer containers and went of to the market in search of the ultimate box.

Making sure the boxes are suitable for our sensor system

Trying to find battery chargers.

Négotiations at the market for finding good chargers

Collecting the thermometer at the port of Cotonou, the light was still on, so at least the batteries were still working. After the weekend we will analyze and evaluate what we have done so far. We keep you posted.

After 24 hours the thermometer was still switched on

Posted on

Testing the prototype in the waters of the port of Cotonou.

03/10/2019 at “Institut de Recherches Halieutiques et Océanologiques du Benin” (IRHOB)

Reporter: Wilfried Sintondji
Pictures: Wilfried Sintondji and Katrijn Baetens

The first session started at 9:00 in the morning in the presence of Katrijn Baetens of RBINS, dr. Zacharie Sohou, the director of IRHOB, dr George Degbé et mr. Médard Honfo of IRHOB. There is also an important participation of students selected for this project: Mr Sylvain Amoussou and Mr  Wilfried Sintondji.

After an introduction to the project Katrijn Baetens présented all the parts and materials that are needed to develop the thermometers. During this occasion she used the prototype developed in Belgium to demonstrate how everything works. After this each student was trusted with a task to copy the prototype and get the hang of the system.  Some of the tasks needed are:

  • Constructing and testing if the box containing the electronics is waterproof

    The box remained waterproof during lab testing
  • Checking the voltage of the system
  • Test the wiring of the new thermometer system on a breadboard
  • Double check if the prototype is working

    The prototype works independently and the GPS receives a signal
  • Programming the thermometer with the desirable time parameters
The students working hard on their assigned tasks. Médard on the left is wiring the new thermometers, Sylvain in the middle is preparing a new waterproof box and Wilfried on the right is isolating the electronic wires.

At the end of the day we were able to test our first prototype in the waters of the port of Cotonou.

On our way to test the first prototype in the waters of the port of Cotonou
Posted on

Development of a Methodology to Acquire a Spatiotemporal Series of Physicochemical Parameters of the Coastal Marine Environment of Benin

IRHOB and RBINS developed a first prototype of an arduino based temperature  sensor that is waterproof. This is done in the framework of a CEBioS/BBI project. The cost of this model was 56 euro, which is 16 euro more than initially expected, this was mainly because of the inclusion of an expensive GPS module of 18 euro. The next step is to investigate where future  budget cuts can be made. It is difficult to compare the price of our prototype with market prices as a gps and storage of data on an SD card is included in this model. The coming weeks the prototype will be improved and tested in the field, we will keep you posted.

The overall objective of this Project is to foster long-term cooperation between IRHOB, the University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC) in Benin, and the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (RBINS) on the development of a methodology to acquire reliable scientific data for rational management and the conservation of aquatic resources in Benin, using sound scientific, technical, and socioeconomic advice. BBI funding enables cooperation in manufacturing Arduino sensors in order to measure physicochemical water quality parameters, such as temperature, salinity, acidity and dissolved oxygen, of the marine and lacustrine environment around Cotonou in Benin. This data collection will constitute the first step towards constructing habitat suitability maps.

The project is mainly sponsored by the Bio-Bridge initiative and co-sponsored by the CEBioS programme of RBINS.

The concept of the methodology is explained in this short movie:

First prototype of an arduino based temperature that is waterproof. Cost of this model is 56 euro.

Text and pictures: Katrijn Baetens, Zacharie Sohou

Posted on

Transport of organisms by ballast water: are Belgian and Dutch waters part of a Same Risk Area?

WaterBallast_FinalReport_20.12.2018

Ballast water is used to improve the draught, stability and strength of seagoing vessels when these are not (fully) loaded. The water is discharged elsewhere when new cargo comes on board. In this way, approximately 10 billion tonnes of ballast water are transported all over the world every year. Unfortunately, also a lot of marine organisms get transported in this way, some of which develop into invasive alien species in the new places where they end up. This makes treatment of ballast water necessary, but perhaps this does not make sense everywhere and ‘Same Risk Areas’ can be defined in which species are transported via natural currents anyhow?

In February 2004, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) adopted by consensus the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments (BWM). The BWM requires all ships to implement a ballast water management plan, keep a ballast water record book and carry out ballast water management procedures according to a given standard. Parties of the convention are given the option to take additional measures based on criteria set out in the convention and IMO guidelines. The BWM entered into force on 8 September 2017. In 2024, all ships that sail in international waters should comply with the regulations and have a ballast water management system.

Same Risk Areas

In order to anticipate on this future situation, governments around the world have started analyses to determine the viability of so‐called Same Risk Areas (SRA). SRAs are exemption areas within the ballast water management convention in which it is not necessary to treat the ballast water, that can be loaded and unloaded anywhere within the SRA. Dutch and Belgian Ministries have taken the initiative to analyse the viability of an SRA in their waters. RBINS/ODNature and GIMARIS performed the research focusing on Zeebrugge, Antwerp, Vlissingen and Rotterdam. The role of the Eastern Scheldt as a hub for connectivity in the SRA is also investigated. The inclusion of London, Hull and Amsterdam in the SRA was briefly considered. An economic study in parallel with this ecological assessment was executed as well. Economic considerations were investigated in a parallel study.

The followed approach was two‐fold: available biological data on the occurrences of alien species within the region of the SRA were collected and analysed, and the connectivity between the ports was tested by verifying that all the water bodies of the ports connected to the seaside in the SRA are connected through natural water circulation, which would allow organisms to disperse by water currents. This was done by means of numerical mathematical models.

Summary of the results per port or zone

Zeebrugge‐Vlissingen

The biological sampling showed that all recorded alien species have probably been dispersed to all the suitable habitats in this region.  This is confirmed by the modelling study and the expert panel.

Rotterdam‐Scheldt zone  (Scheldt Estuary containing the Eastern Scheldt, Vlissingen and Antwerp)

Some hydroids (medusa stages) and dinoflagellates are found in Rotterdam, but not in the Scheldt zone. Differences in species occurrences between these two areas may be due to differences in salinities (lower salinities in some parts of the port of Rotterdam), and the timing of the surveys done. The modelling study shows connectivity but only when species are able to show specific behaviour. Species are able to travel faster from the Scheldt zone to Rotterdam than the other way around.

Antwerp‐Scheldt zone

Some alien species that are recorded in Antwerp are not recorded in the Scheldt zone and vice versa. Differences in species occurrences between these two areas may be due to different environmental conditions.  The model shows a strong, but unilateral connection from Antwerp to the Scheldt zone. Here the strength of the connection also depends on the species behaviour.

Antwerp‐Rotterdam

The oceanographic results show a weak connection between the two ports. The impact of behavior and season on dispersal is very important. The river system connecting Antwerp and Rotterdam is not taken into account, in this study. The fresh and brackish water species that could be connected through this system, are not included in this study.

A case study on the variable and invasive Ruditapes philippinarum showed that the model predictions should be further interpreted by means of biological information when available. (no copyright)

In conclusion, this study shows that the Scheldt zone (without Antwerp) can be considered a Same Risk Area. Whether this SRA can be extended to Rotterdam and Antwerp is less clear. Further investigation should clarify how an SRA between Belgium and the Netherlands can be finetuned.

 

Baetens K., Gittenberger A., Barbut L., Lacroix G. (2018). Assessment of the ecological implications when installing an SRA between Belgium and the Netherlands. Final project report. Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences. Operational Directorate Natural Environment, Ecosystem Modelling. 71 pp. WaterBallast_FinalReport_20.12.2018

This research was financed by the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management under the contract 31136193 and by the Belgian Federal Public Service Mobility and Transport under the contract MA20180257 (including the participation of the Flemish government). We would like to thank Steven Degraer (RBINS), Francis Kerckhof (RBINS), Flemming Hansen (DTU Aqua, DK) and Johan van der Molen (NIOZ, NL) who reviewed this work and suggested useful comments.

Posted on

New method allows processing of 4 decades of satellite data

Over the past four decades, different satellites have been circling Earth whilst collecting numerous data. However, technology evolved during this time, creating the need for a unified processing method. A newly developed algorithm and software now make it possible to consistently process all these data and obtain unified image series for parameters such as water reflectance and turbidity.

Since the launch of Landsat 5 in 1984 the earth’s landmass and coastal zones have been imaged every 16 days. Landsat 5 provided regular imagery for over 25 years and was disabled fully in 2013. Its mission is being continued by Landsat 7 (launched in 1999) and Landsat 8 (2013). The Landsat missions are complemented by two Sentinel-2 missions, launched in 2015 (S2A) and 2017 (S2B) which image the earth every 5 days. The data from the Landsat missions has been open access since 2008, and those of Sentinel-2 since their launch. Combining the data streams allows the study of long time series, but due to differences in sensor design and image formats of these satellites, it was difficult to align these data over time. More precisely, an atmospheric correction algorithm and processing software for the automated and consistent processing of these images was needed.

Unified processing

In a recent publication in the journal ‘Remote Sensing of Environment’, Quinten Vanhellemont of the Remote Sensing team (REMSEM) of our institute, describes a method for unified processing of these data in order to retrieve water reflectance and derived parameters, such as water turbidity. These products have been validated with a long time series of in situ measurements from around the globe (Figure 1). This method has been the default in the ACOLITE software since April 2018 that can process imagery from Sentinel-2A/B and Landsat 5/7/8. ACOLITE was also developed by Quinten at the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences.

Figure 1: Time series of water turbidity from in situ measurements (solid line) and derived from satellite imagery for a location in the southern North Sea. A good correspondence is found through the 20 year spanning time-series.

Images of long time series

The unified processing of data collected by the different satellites provides standardized, easily interpretable (and also beautiful) data series and images series. In the Belgian coastal zone, we can for example observe the impact of the extension of the ports of Zeebrugge and Oostende on the sedimentation on both sides of the port walls. The image series in Figure 2 show an accumulation of sand on the beaches to the east and west of the extended ports. Water turbidity is also retrieved and is in the Belgian coastal zone mainly dominated by resuspension of bottom material in superimposed cycles: an annual cycle of winter-high, summer-low turbidity and cycles of ebb-flood and neap-spring tidal resuspension.

Figure 2a: Extension of the port walls and inland docks of the port of Zeebrugge, and accumulation of sand on the beaches east and west of the port walls (1980s-2010s)
Figure 2b: Port of Oostende (1980s-2010s)

Vanhellemont, Quinten. “Adaptation of the dark spectrum fitting atmospheric correction for aquatic applications of the Landsat and Sentinel-2 archives.” Remote Sensing of Environment 225 (2019): 175-192. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2019.03.010

 

ACOLITE processor https://odnature.naturalsciences.be/remsem/software-and-data/acolite

ACOLITE forum https://odnature.naturalsciences.be/remsem/acolite-forum/

ACOLITE source code https://github.com/acolite/acolite

 

Posted on

EUROFLEETS+ Ship-time and marine Equipment Application (SEA-Programme) Call “OCEANS”

Eurofleets+ is an Alliance of European marine research infrastructure to meet the evolving needs of the research and industrial communities.

General information

The Eurofleets+ project facilitates open access to an integrated and advanced research vessel fleet, designed to meet the evolving and challenging needs of the user community. European and international researchers from academia and industry are able to apply for several access programmes, through a single-entry system. Eurofleets+ prioritises support for research on sustainable, clean and healthy oceans, linking with existing ocean observation infrastructures, and supports innovation through working closely with industry.

Eurofleets+ accessible Research Vessels: The project enables access to a unique fleet of 27 state-of-the-art research vessels (13 Global/Ocean and 14 Regional) from European and international partners. Through competitive calls, Eurofleets+ provides a wide geographic coverage, with access to the Mediterranean and Black Seas, the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, the North Atlantic (incl. Greenland and Norwegian seas), and the Southern Pacific Ocean and Ross Sea.

Eurofleets+ accessible embarked equipment: Researchers have access to cutting edge equipment, which includes 7 ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles) and 5 AUVs (Autonomous Underwater Vehicles). A unique portable telepresence system enables remote access by researchers and diverse end users including the public; a first for Europe.

Eurofleets+ programmes

Three access programmes are foreseen to be launched in Eurofleets+:

1) Ship-time and Marine Equipment Application (SEA programme) for access to the vessels and marine equipment through a full ship-time application, for which there will be a minimum of two calls, one with “ocean“ and one with “regional“ vessels. The SEA call for Ocean vessels and equipment has opened on the 26th of June and remains open until 27th of September 2019. More details on this call can be found below. The SEA call for Regional vessels will be opened in fall 2019 and will also remain open for three months. Research vessels and marine equipment not offered or requested in the first call (Oceans), or with spare capacities will be offered in the second, Regional call.

2) Co-PI programme specifically aimed at early career researchers to implement their own research together with experienced scientists in Eurofleets+ scheduled cruises. The Co-PI programme is anticipated to be open to applications from November 2019 onwards, and remain open continuously to the beginning of 2022.

3) Remote Transnational Access (RTA programme) to provide researchers with remote access to samples or data from a Eurofleets+ fleet vessel. Remote access will allow smaller projects, sample or data needs, to be addressed, when this can be accomplished with one day of ship time. RTA programme applications will be submitted in a continuous running call that is also anticipated to be open to applications from November 2019 to the beginning of 2022.

Notes: Non European applicants are also elegible for funding. Industry partners, early career researchers and female researchers are encouraged to apply.

EurofleetsPlus funds cover use of the vessels, crew, fuel and other standard operating costs, as well as travel expenses for the embarked team and transport of equipment and samples.

SEA-Programme Call “OCEANS”

The SEA Programme offers fully funded transnational access to 14 Research Vessels (some with ice class) and 9 pieces of Marine Equipment to carry out ship-based research activities within any field of marine science.

Funding conditions, application guidelines and full eligibility criteria.

This call will remain open for the submission of proposals until Friday 27th of September 2019.

Research vessels:

North Atlantic Ocean

RV Arni Freidrickson (HAFRA, Iceland)

RV Celtic Explorer (MI, Ireland)

RV DANA (DTU, Denmark)

RV Magnus Heinason (HAVST, Faroe Islands)

RV Mar Portugal (IPMA, Portugal)

Arctic Ocean

RV Sanna (GRONLANDS, Greenland)

RV G.O. SARS (HAVFO, Norway)

Mediterranean Sea, Atlantic Ocean

RV Alliance (NATO-CMRE, Italy)

RV Pelagia (NIOZ, The Netherlands)

RV Ramon Margalef (IEO, Spain)

RV Thalassa (IFREMER, France)

North-West/West Atlantic

RV Coriolis II (UQAR, Canada)

RV Atlantic Explorer (BIOS, Bermuda)

Pacific Ocean

RV Tangaroa (NIWA, New Zealand)

Marine Equipment:

AUV Hugin (UGOT, Sweden)

AUV Hugin (FFI, Norway)

ROV Ægir 6000 (UiB, Norway)

HROV Ariane (Ifremer, France)

ROV Genesis (VLIZ, Belgium)

ROV Holland1 (MI, Ireland)

ROV LUSO (IPMA, Portugal)

ROV Marum Squid (UB, Germany)

ROV Ocean Modules V8 offshore (UGOT, Sweden)

VSAT Satellite System (Telepresence Unit) (GFOE, United States of America)

Detailed descriptions of the Research Vessels and Marine Equipment offered by EUROFLEETS+.

Contact: eurofleetsplus@awi.de

Posted on

RBINS and Zwin Nature Park install GPS transmitters on white storks

In the Zwin Nature Park in Knokke-Heist three young storks were provided with a transmitter at the end of June. Thanks to their transmitters, the movements of these storks can be followed at all times. With this study, the Royal Belgian Institute for Natural Sciences and the Zwin Nature Park want to document the consequences of changing conditions in the wintering areas on the migration behaviour of the storks.

Young white stork that was equipped with a transmitter at the end of June 2019 at the Zwin Nature Park. (© Zwin Natuur Park)

Since Leon Lippens started an introduction programme for white storks Ciconia ciconia in the Zwin Nature Park in 1957, about five hundred young have hatched here (the first in 1965). More than 300 of them were equipped with a scientific ring, within the framework of the long-term research tradition and cooperation with the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences. The majority were reported at least once (on average five times per reported stork), mainly along an axis towards the southwest, through the western half of France and central Spain. The furthest observation of a Zwin-ooievaar came from Algeria, at 2,164 kilometres from the Zwin. But Belgian storks have also been reported to spend the winter in West Africa, south to Senegal and Mali. The white stork is one of the species for which the Zwin has been designated as a special protection area under the EU Birds Directive.

Reports of white storks that were ringed in Belgium, 1965-2019 (© RBINS/Geoapp BeBIRDS)

This year the Zwin population counted 13 breeding pairs. In the wider area, however, 27 additional pairs were documented (region Knokke-Heist, Damme, Bruges, and across the Dutch border), so that the total regional population in 2019 was no less than 40 breeding pairs. A few years ago, the feeding of storks in the Zwin was stopped, which probably contributed to their distribution over a larger area.

Transmitters in addition to rings

In 2019, the Zwin also devoted attention to the ringing of a number of young storks: on 5 June, 13 individuals were provided with a scientific ring. The codes on these rings can be read remotely with a pair of binoculars or a telescope, but the chance that a ringed stork is observed and reported remains rather small. Although such observations teach us a lot, they are still snapshots. With a transmitter, a bird can be tracked continuously, which provides much more information about the survival, the movements and the habitat use of the transmitter-equipped birds.

The transmitters only weigh 25 grams and use solar energy (© Zwin Natuur Park)

On 26 June, for the first time, three young Zwin storks (from two nests) were equipped with a transmitter. They weigh only 25 grams, which represents less than one percent of the weight of the birds. The transmitters are very sustainable: they operate on solar energy and transmit the data that their GPS collects via the GSM network. Don’t worry if there is no reception: everything is stored in the internal memory and passed on when a signal is available. It is also possible to adjust the transmitter parameters (such as the frequency of location measurements) remotely. The accuracy is astonishing, positions are determined to within a few meters.

The spatial use of one of the young storks that carries a transmitter (period 20-28 July, the bird is hanging around the nest site) shows a very high resolution (© RBINS/Geoapp BeBIRDS)

Storks on garbage dumps

Before 1990, almost all Western European storks crossed the Strait of Gibraltar (the strait that separates Spain from Morocco) in the autumn to spend the winter in West Africa. Since then, however, much has changed. More and more storks have understood that they could drastically shorten this long and energy-consuming journey by staying in Spain, where they find all the food they need on landfills. In the winter of 2018-2019, up to 46,000 wintering storks were counted on the Iberian Peninsula. This is no less than 20% of the Western European population. These birds also have a higher chance of survival, and return more quickly to the breeding grounds in the spring, where they can occupy the best territories.

The storks experience no problems with the transmitters on their backs (© K. Moreau/RBINS)

But … clouds are rising in the Spanish stork paradise skies! The European Waste Framework Directive prohibits landfills exposed to the open air, and the European Commission took Spain to the European Court of Justice in June 2018, in response to repeated calls for this legislation to be applied in Spain. The Spanish garbage dumps that many storks have learned to use will therefore be closed shortly. This will fundamentally change the state and conditions of their wintering quarters. The RBINS and the Zwin Nature Park are therefore seeking to use the transmitters to help document the impact of this changing situation in Spain on the storks’ migratory behaviour.

Two young storks with transmitters in the ‘Kleine Vlakte’ outside the Zwin Nature Park (© K. Moreau/RBINS)

The results of the research will be available on a specific project page on the website of the Zwin Natuur Park. It is the intention that more storks will be equipped with a transmitter in the coming years.

As an international airport for birds, the Zwin Nature Park is a knowledge and expertise centre for bird migration. In addition to ringing storks and installing transmitters, the Zwin Nature Park also focuses on ringing of other bird species. From 1 August to 20 October 2019, ringing will take place almost every day, and the public will also be able to gain an insight into this activity. In Belgium, the scientific ringing of birds is coordinated by the BeBIRDS group of the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (RBINS).

Posted on

EuroGOOS, the European Global Ocean Observing System

EuroGOOS is the European component of the Global Ocean Observing System of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC GOOS). The EuroGOOS Secretariat is located in Brussels, serving 44 members and supporting five regional systems in Europe. The Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (RBINS), and in particular its Marine Forecasting Centre, is one of these members and is involved in the North West Shelf Operational Oceanographic System (NOOS).

EuroGOOS identifies priorities, enhances cooperation and promotes the benefits of operational oceanography to ensure sustained observations are made in Europe’s seas underpinning a suite of fit-for-purpose products and services for marine and maritime end-users.

EuroGOOS working groups, networks of observing platforms (task teams), and regional systems (ROOS), provide for a for cooperation, unlock quality marine data and deliver common strategies, priorities and standards. The many EuroGOOS networks work towards integrated, sustainable and fit-for-purpose European ocean observing, underpinning the EOOS (European Ocean Observation System) framework.

EuroGOOS General Assembly – New Relevance, New Strategy

On 8 and 9 May the EuroGOOS General Assembly met in Heraklion, hosted by the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research and George Petihakis, EuroGOOS Chair. EuroGOOS strategy and integration were the main themes on the agenda. The meeting was attended by EuroGOOS members and the chairs of the EuroGOOS activities (working groups, infrastructure task teams, and the regional systems – ROOS).

The Assembly discussed the evolution of the organization and brainstormed on the next EuroGOOS strategy 2020-2030. The brainstorming was done through an interactive session in a World Café around four major areas of the strategy: high-level priorities, challenges, partnerships, and national benefits and advocacy. The results of this brainstorming will be transformed into the strategy and an accompanying roadmap, with the first draft prepared in the summer. The upcoming OceanObs’19 conference will further feed into the strategy preparation.

The Assembly also discussed ways to achieve a better integration between the variety of EuroGOOS activities. EuroGOOS task teams (networks of ocean observing technologies) and working groups (on science, technology, data integration and coastal ocean) are delivering best practices and state of play analysis, while the EuroGOOS Regional Operational Oceanographic Systems (ROOS) deliver regional coordination. At the end of 2019, EuroGOOS will host an integration workshop bringing all those activities together, to brainstorm and agree on steps to activate the new EuroGOOS strategy, and on the support needed from the EuroGOOS office.

Glenn Nolan (EuroGOOS General Secretary), George Petihakis (EuroGOOS chair) and Sebastien Legrand (Marine Forecasting Centre, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences) shake hands on the new office contract. © Dina Eparkhina/EuroGOOS

New members, new hosts

At the formal part of the meeting, the Assembly approved and warmly welcomed three new members to EuroGOOS: SHOM (France), PLOCAN (Spain) and NIVA (Norway). Representatives of these organizations showcased their activities and future contributions to EuroGOOS, spanning technological development, observing integration, ocean monitoring, and ocean literacy. The Assembly also elected a new member to the Executive Directors Board – Holger Brix of the Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht in Germany. Two Executive Board members stepped down upon the completion of their full mandates – the Assembly thanked Urmas Lips (Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia) and Bernd Brugge (Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency, BSH, Germany)  for their contributions to the work of the Board over the past six years. At the Assembly, Chair George Petihakis also signed the EuroGOOS office hosting agreement with the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (RBINS), represented by Patrick Roose and Sebastien Legrand. RBINS will host the EuroGOOS secretariat in its Brussels offices (also housing the Belgian Museum of Natural Sciences) from the end of 2019.

Text: Dina Eparkhina (EuroGOOS), Kelle Moreau (RBINS)

Posted on

When originality makes you sail- a fourth grade class on the Belgica

The naming of Belgica II, the new Belgian research vessel that will succeed the Belgica at the end of 2020, was announced on 25 April 2019 and caused a great deal of ink to flow. However, if originality and cinematographic creativity had been the most important selection criteria, the new vessel would have been called “Gamma Ruspo”. This name was suggested by the students of class 4B of the Institut de la Providence de Champion, Namur. A reward was also announced for the most original video, so the students were expected on Monday 20 May in the military port of Zeebrugge, to sail on the Belgica for half a day. Captain Haddock’s shadow will be hanging over the North Sea…

On November 6th, 2018, the Belgian Federal Science Policy Office launched a contest in order to determine the name of the new Belgian oceanographic vessel. After a first phase in which schools could suggest names (accompanied with an explanatory video) and a second phase where everyone could choose one of the six selected names, the Minister for Science Policy announced the chosen name on 25 April 2019: “Belgica II”. The winning class, 1LA from Liège’s Athénée Maurice Destenay could enjoy a cruise on the Belgica the same day.

Nonetheless, a second laureate was chosen to reward the most convincing video, emphasising originality. For this prize, a jury determined that the class 4B of the Institut de la Providence de Champion (Namur) had realised the most original production. Their video was inspired by the comic heroes Tintin and professor Calculus, and states why they would have called the new vessel “Gamma Ruspo”. On 20 May 2019, this class also benefited from an excursion with the RV Belgica.

Scientists explain the measuring equipment on a tripod that will be placed on the seabed.

The Institut de la Providence, a green school interested in marine sciences

On the initiative of its direction, professors and students, l’Institut de la Providence is a school which has been engaging in multiple initiatives in terms of environmental protection for a long time: installing photovoltaic panels, replacement of all lighting with LEDs, managing beehives with a didactic hive in the classroom, signing of the “Green deal sustainable canteens” contract, soft mobility week from 20 to 25 May 2019, investment in recyclable cups and water fountains, environmental certification process, etc.

It is thus no surprise that the students of class 4B of the Institut de la Providence de Champion have heard of the naming contest in their French class. Before suggesting a name for the successor of the Belgica, everyone was invited to investigate and learn more about this venerable vessel. Consequently, the teenagers learned that it collects important information which contributes to thinking about sustainable fisheries, offshore wind turbines, mining activity in the deep sea, or offshore energy production and storage. The pooling of information made it possible to launch lines of thought to formulate original names for the successor of the Belgica.

It was a particularly busy day in the laboratories of the Belgica.

Gamma ruspo

After a flamboyant debate, 4B went for originality. What if we called this vessel “Gamma Ruspo?”.

Gamma rus what? The “Gammarus pulex” is a type of shrimp, “ruspo” means “I search” in latin, and there is no need to explain the link between the word “Gamma” and the world of science.

The name being chosen, it was time to go through the second part of the competition: film a one and a half minute video presenting the suggested name in an original way. A small group of students turned into a film crew and at the end of January, without anybody’s help, they shot a video in which  typically Belgian characters (Calculus and Tintin) are associated with the playful and scientific universe of “C’est pas sorcier” (French educational television programme). The result was quite successful on the internet and aroused reactions as far as Austria (the video has been translated in the three national languages).

Interpretation of Tintin – one of the protagonists of the winning film – by one of the students.

The outcome

In February 2019, the decision was made: “Gamma Ruspo” was not selected as one of the names from which the public could choose. The students were rather surprised to hear that the new Belgica was named… “Belgica 2”! They didn’t think this contest would result in this choice, although it is a strong mark that honours Belgian marine research’s history and tradition.

However, the Providence students were fair players, admitting that the name they suggested perhaps lacked readability. Although they were a little disappointed, they were still satisfied to have participated in the competition with a nice group work and a cool video.

April 2019, big surprise: a message from one of the contest organiser informed them that their video has won the award for being the most creative submission.

Dominique Rappe, the 4B’s French teacher, reacts: “It’s great that the class is rewarded, because many have gone really far in their thinking, proving their interest in biology, climate, and sciences in general. The film crew has been completely autonomous, and it is their intuitive talent that has been rewarded. Everyone is delighted that they were able to go on an excursion with the Belgica on Monday 20 May. We prepared the visit so that the youngsters could gather a maximum of information from the scientists that were carrying out research on that day. They also questioned the military staff that operates the vessel. The class even offered a little animation (song) in recognition of the adults that welcomed them in their professional environment.”

The students are amazed at how much can be told about a bottle of seawater.