Author: Kelle Moreau

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Mummies in Africa

…or as close as you can get to Africa in Brussels. On Friday 14 June, the MUMM team of the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (RBINS) visited the renovated AfricaMuseum in Tervuren as part of their annual team building.MUMM stands for ‘Management Unit of the Mathematical Model of the North Sea’ and brings together the RBINS scientists who advise the government in relation to human activities in the Belgian part of the North Sea (the MARIMA team), perform aerial surveillance (the SURV team, additionally the OO-MMM pilots were also invited) and also carry out the federal monitoring of marine mammals at sea, coordinate the stranding network, study eutrophication and report to Europe on the state of health of our part of the North Sea. The development and maintenance of scientific websites and applications of the Operational Directorate Natural Environment (OD Nature, the largest scientific directorate within RBINS) is also carried out by MUMM specialists (the SWAP team). A large and diverse team, which was redivided several times in different ways during the team building day to bring employees with different tasks/mother tongues together!For their visit to the AfricaMuseum, the mummies opted for the guided tour ‘A blend of Central Africa’, in which they were provided information on the material culture, immaterial heritage and biodiversity of Central Africa for two hours. Of course, Belgian colonial history could not be overlooked either, and how we can deal with it in the current context. Contemporary themes such as the multicultural society and sustainable development completed the story. Some also ventured into a few African dance steps.After an interesting visit to the museum and a walk in perfect weather conditions, we made our appearance for lunch in the Tervurian restaurant ‘De Linde’, where we enjoyed the June edition of the market menu. The succession of very tasty appetizers, starters, main courses and desserts, accompanied by aperitifs and adapted wines (optional, of course), made us leave the restaurant satisfied.Producing a group photo was just about the only thing we were able to do afterwards. Out of sheer necessity, we then went to a nearby terrace to recover from the feast.

When you work hard, you occasionally also have to relax hard!Top, from left to right: Ronny Schallier, Yolande Maes, Karien De Cauwer, Alexander Vermeire, Jan Haelters, Brigitte Lauwaert, Mia Devolder, Abdel Eslama, Geert Present, Kelle Moreau / Below, from left to right: Samuël Orsi, Lucien Schwind, Nabil Youdjou, Annelore Van Nieuwenhove, Ruth Lagring, Dries Noppen, Ward Van Roy, Kobe Scheldeman, Michel Kapel, Pieter Janssens

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Marine mammals in Belgium in 2018

Scientists from the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (RBINS) summarised the available information on marine mammals in Belgium in 2018 in the new edition of the dedicated report series. The latest edition includes an overview of the strandings and sightings of marine mammals, remarkable fish and a leatherback turtle in 2018, as well as opinion pieces about the sense and nonsense of taking seals into care, the impact of waste on marine mammals and the use of the port of Nieuwpoort as a resting place for seals.

Carcass of fin whale in Belgian waters on 24 October 2018 (© RBINS/SURV)

As every year, RBINS has collected data on marine mammals in Belgium. For 2018, this happened with the cooperation of SEALIFE Blankenberge, the University of Liège and Natuurpunt. In 2018, 134 marine mammals washed ashore dead or dying in Belgium, concerning 89 harbour porpoises, 1 white-beaked dolphin, 1 fin whale, 18 grey seals, 11 harbour seals and 14 seals that were not identified to species. In addition, SEALIFE Blankenberge took 30 seals into care: 17 grey and 13 harbour seals (the highest number of grey seals ever, and for the first time more grey than common seals).

Carcass of fin whale on the beach of De Haan on 25 October 2018 (© RBINS/Jan Haelters)

Ten percent of the harbour porpoises for which the cause of death could be established had died from drowning in fishing nets, and 30% from predation by grey seals. The fin whale, an 18-metre-long male found dead at sea, presumably died from a natural cause. The number of stranded dead and dying seals (43) was the highest number ever. Six of the grey and one of the harbour seals were believed to have died from incidental capture. One grey seal died entangled in a piece of nylon rope, and another choked on a flatfish.

Bottlenose dolphins in Belgian waters on 16 July 2018 (© RBINS/SURV)

The most striking sightings in 2018 concerned very high numbers of harbour porpoises in April (estimated at almost 20,000 in the Belgian waters, based on aerial counts) and the relatively frequent occurrence of bottlenose dolphins.

The annual report also contains editorials about the sense and nonsense of taking seals into care, the impact of waste on marine mammals and the use of the port of Nieuwpoort as a resting place for seals.

Harbour seals in the harbour of Nieuwpoort on 17 November 2018 (© Linda Vanthournout)

Interested readers can download the report, as well as previous reports, at www.marinemammals.be/reports (available in Dutch and French, with English summary).

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More than 40 signatories to the Brussels Declaration on the oceans and climate change

On February 19, the international conference “Climate change and ocean conservation” took place on the initiative of the Belgian ministers of Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development and of the North Sea. The Declaration was very well received at the conference, and continues to receive support. 33 countries and 11 organisations have already signed the Declaration.

The Brussels Declaration calls for progress in several ongoing processes, in particular those regarding the negotiation of a new Convention on high seas biodiversity and the definition of new objectives for the Convention on Biological Diversity.

The Declaration also has the great merit of bringing together the many existing commitments on oceans and climate in a single document that countries can sign up to, and calls for an appropriate reaction to the UN Climate Commission’s Oceans Report, which will be published in September 2019.

The Declaration was signed by countries and by organisations

Many countries support the Declaration: European countries but also countries from Africa, Latin America, Asia, and many islands. Chile, where the next Climate COP (COP 25 or “the Blue COP” as the Chilean Minister for the Environment calls it) will take place in December 2019, has committed itself to promoting the objectives of the Declaration during this conference. The following countries, among others, have signed the Declaration: Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Norway, Iceland, Monaco, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Cape Verde, Chile, Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua, Peru, Tajikistan, Dominican Republic, Commonwealth of Dominica, Marshall Islands, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines…

Several international organisations have also signed the text, such as: EIB (European Investment Bank), Future Ocean Alliance (an independent organisation financed by the Global Environment Facility – the world’s largest donor for environmental improvement projects), Wind Europe, Ocean Energy Europe, Ocean Care, Air Centre, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Global Ocean Trust, RBSA (Royal Belgian Shipowners’ Association), VLIZ (Flemish Institute of the Sea), RBINS (Royal Belgian Institute for Natural Sciences).

During an event organised by the Permanent Representation of Belgium to the United Nations in New York in early April, the Belgian ambassador invited countries to join this growing group. The new signatories were invited by Ministers Marghem and De Backer to a second signing ceremony on May 7 at the FPS Public Health.

“Unfortunately, the state of biodiversity has become extremely alarming. With the Brussels Declaration, the federal government wants to commit itself, together with the ministers, ambassadors and representatives of 33 countries and several organisations, to tackling the impact of climate change on the oceans. I call on other countries to join us in order to strengthen our action at European and international level”, declared Marie Christine Marghem.

And in practice?

Belgium is already working hard to put the Declaration into practice. Recently, Belgian and European climate and ocean negotiators met to see how they can include the oceans in the concrete objectives of the next climate COP. Belgium, together with other countries, is also one of the driving forces of the “Friends of the Blue COP” group. 2019 will be a decisive year, as the ‘blue’ COP at the end of the year is a unique opportunity to take climate measures to protect the oceans.

More concretely, Minister De Backer announced on May 7 that Belgium officially supports the 30×30 initiative, a call for action to protect 30% of the oceans by 2030. Belgium has already protected more than 35% of the Belgian part of the North Sea, but to really protect the oceans against climate change, we need to establish a vast network of marine protected areas. Belgium will promote this objective in all policy processes on climate, oceans and biodiversity.

“Only through international cooperation will we be able to halt climate change and its adverse effects on our seas and oceans. Everyone must make an effort. That is why I am signing the international commitment to protect 30 percent of our oceans by 2030. However, Belgium is even more ambitious than that, and already protects 35 percent of its part of the North Sea. Together we can keep our seas and oceans clean”, concluded Minister Philippe De Backer.

Text: FPS Public Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment

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The United Nations Environment Programme Calls for Better Governance of Global Sand Resources.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) launched a new report in Geneva on 7 May 2019 examining the views of various stakeholders on the sustainability challenges of sand extraction and use. With this report, UNEP aims to stimulate a global debate on sand extraction, following the recent adoption of a new resolution on better governance of mineral resources by the 4th UN Environment Assembly.

Sustainability Challenges of the Global Extraction and Use of Sand Resources

The scale of sand and gravel extraction worldwide makes it one of the major sustainability challenges of the 21st century. An estimated 40 to 50 billion tonnes of sand is extracted annually from quarries and wells, in rivers, along coasts and in the marine environment. The growing world population, urbanisation, shifts in our consumption patterns, and the associated development of infrastructure, are important factors that have tripled the extraction of easily available sand resources over the past two decades. Without sand, there is no concrete, no asphalt, no glass, … and therefore no schools, hospitals, roads, solar panels or other necessary infrastructure. Water purification and land reclamation are also major users. Sand is even used in the industrial production of electronics and cosmetics … After water, it is nowadays the most reclaimed natural resource. Furthermore, dams and extraction have reduced the sediment supply from rivers to many coastal areas, leading to reduced deposits in river deltas and accelerated beach erosion.

The growing trend of unsustainable and illegal sand extraction in marine, coastal and freshwater ecosystems has far-reaching environmental, social and economic consequences (e.g. tourism, fisheries). However, scientific research and monitoring, as well as adequate policies to support responsible extraction and consumption, are lagging behind in many parts of the world. In the meantime, international trade in sand and gravel continues to grow. Due to the high demand in regions without local sand and gravel stocks, this business activity is expected to increase by 5.5% per year. As a result of international sand extraction bans, sand extraction for land reclamation projects, and the effects of unregulated sand extraction in international rivers, sand and gravel extraction has also become a rapidly growing transboundary issue.

There is no global monitoring of sand use. Cement however is well reported. Monitoring of these data reveals that cement production has tripled over the past two decades. (© UNEP/GRID-Geneva)

 

New Solutions for Better Governance of Global Sand Reserves

The United Nations Environment Programme recognizes the need to reconcile global policies and standards with local sand availability, development needs and enforcement realities, and is committed to highlighting these challenges in order to improve governance, together with all stakeholders. The organisation therefore looks forward to the further development of effective tools that will enable better monitoring of the extraction and use of sand resources and efficient decision making in relation to the mitigation of the consequences of sand extraction.

Sand processing on land (© Shutterstock)

The new report ‘Sand and Sustainability: Finding New Solutions for Environmental Governance of Global Sand Resources’ is based on this theme. It draws attention to the sustainability challenges and solutions for sand extraction and consumption, and recommends joint actions to update existing standards, set up monitoring programmes and initiate a dialogue throughout the value chain. In addition, it calls for the avoidance of unnecessary sand consumption, the use of more recycled and alternative materials, and the reduction of environmental impacts through more responsible mining practices. The report was produced in October 2018 during an expert dialogue facilitated by UNEP/GRID-Geneva (GRID = Global Resource Information Database) and the University of Geneva with funding from the Swiss Federal Ministry of Environment.

UN Resolution on Better Governance of Mineral Resources

The ‘Sand and Sustainability’ report follows the recent adoption (April 2019) of a new resolution on better governance of mineral resources by the 4th UN Environment Assembly, and was officially presented on 7 May 2019 at the Palais des Nations, Geneva, in the presence of Ms Joyce Msuya, UNEP’s acting director. The resolution focuses on gathering information on sustainable practices and knowledge gaps, and on listing implementation strategies and assessment methods. The report is to be submitted to the fifth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly.

Unloading of sand extracted at sea, Ostend, Belgium (© RBINS)

Marine Sand Extraction in Belgium

In the meantime, Belgium is continuing to invest in better management of its mineral resources. For more than 40 years, sand has been extracted in Belgian marine waters under the authority and control of the FPS Economy, S.M.E.s, Self-employed and Energy. “In order to support long-term management, a geological knowledge base has been developed for the Belgian and southern Dutch parts of the North Sea, which makes the available quantities per sand quality available for consultation.” explains Vera Van Lancker of the research group ‘Suspended Matter and Seabed Monitoring and Modelling’ of the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences. “In addition, a link with a numerical toolkit makes it possible to calculate different impact scenarios of extraction.” The final report of the project TILES or ‘Transnational and Integrated Long-term Marine Exploitation Strategies’ is available on the website of the Belgian Federal Science Policy Office (BELSPO). As the stocks are not inexhaustible, there is a call for more thoughtful exploitation strategies.

Sand is not a renewable resource. (© Shutterstock)
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The new research vessel will honour the Belgian tradition and sail the seas as ‘RV Belgica II’

On 6 November 2018, the Cabinet of Science Policy launched a competition to determine the name of the new Belgian research vessel. After a first phase, in which schools could suggest names, and a second phase, in which everyone could choose from six remaining proposals, the Minister for Science Policy announced the final winner on 25 April 2019. The public chose convincingly to honour the history of Belgian marine sciences and research ships, and to send the new ship out to sea under the name Belgica II!

Artist’s Impression of Belgica II (© Freire Shipyard/Rolls-Royce Marine AS)

Minister Sophie Wilmès: “Although the name Belgica II may be less original than some other contenders in this competition, it represents an unparalleled symbolism. The new ship will continue to bear the Belgian colours, while at the same time reminding us that our country is capable of carrying out major projects, as was the case with the ship that sailed the seas under command of Adrien de Gerlache in the nineteenth century. As the scientific objectives have changed somewhat in the current context, there is no doubt that Belgica II will make an important contribution to the scientific world. Today’s major issues, such as the fight against global warming or the protection of the environment, require the contribution of science. I am very happy that this new ship will enable Belgium to participate in this research.”

Announcement of the name ‘Belgica II’ by Minister Wilmès (Science Policy) and the students of class 1LA of the Athénée Maurice Destenay from Liège (© RBINS)

Background

After 35 years of service, more than 1,000 scientific expeditions and more than 900,000 kilometres (>22.5 times around the world), the Belgian oceanographic research vessel RV Belgica (built in 1984; ‘RV’ stands for Research Vessel) is due for replacement. That is why the federal government took the decision on 28 October 2016 to build a new modern research vessel. The contract was won by Spanish shipbuilder Freire Shipyard and ship designer Rolls-Royce Marine AS, and started on 8 June 2018 (the cost price is approximately 54 million euros, including VAT). Since then, the detailed plans of the ship have been drawn and scale models have been tested. On 27 March 2019, the keel was laid, the equivalent of the foundation stone of a building. A memorable fact! The new research vessel will be operational by the end of 2020, and will be able to further support the marine research community for the next 30 years.

Keel laying of Belgica II at Freire Shipyard in Vigo, Spain, on 27 March 2019 (© RBINS)

Naming competition

A new ship obviously requires a name. To this end, the Cabinet of Science Policy launched a competition procedure on 6 November 2018. In a first phase – which ran until 31 January 2019 – classes from the first to the fourth year of secondary education of accredited Belgian schools were invited to submit proposals, with valid proposals having to consist of a suitable name and an original video in which the choice of name is enthusiastically explained. The figures show that in Belgium too few students opt for a scientific education. By involving them, we hope to generate more interest and to contribute to a greater scientific awareness.

After an initial selection by the project partners, the second phase of the naming competition began, in which the general public was called upon to participate. From 27 February to 27 March 2019, everyone could choose from the six remaining names via an online module and thus help determine the name under which the new ship will sail our seas and oceans. A convincing winner emerged: the Belgica II proposal received 33.2% of the votes! The successors are Stella Maris (20.1%), Impact (18.6%), Oddysea (18.1%), Belsora (5.2%) and Lab Mare (4.8%).

The name Belgica II was presented on 25 April 2019 on board the current RV Belgica by Sophie Wilmès, the Minister responsible for Science Policy, in the presence of the students of the winning class 1LA of the Athénée Maurice Destenay from Liège. The students of this class can rightly call themselves ambassadors of the new research vessel, and could test the sea legs on a day trip with the current research vessel RV Belgica. In the video, they report under the form of a news broadcast about their choice of the name Belgica II, in which they clearly draw the Belgian card, and refer, among other things, to De Gerlache’s South Pole expedition, which took place in 1897-1899 and was the first one to spend the winter in Antarctica.

A selection jury also decided which film could convince the most in terms of originality. The class that realised this production – class 4B of the Institut de la Providence de Champion from Namur – also receives a day trip with RV Belgica at the end of May. Their video was inspired by the Belgian comic strip heroes Tintin and Professor Calculus.

Our scientists almost drowned in the attention of students, the press and the Minister (© RBINS)

Future of the new Belgica

Compared to its predecessor, the new RV Belgica will be larger (about 70 m long compared to 50 m) and offer more space to the scientists (doubling of laboratory space with a capacity to take up to 28 scientists on board). It will be equipped with the most modern scientific equipment that allows samples to be taken up to 5,000 m deep. The new ship will also be a silent ship (important for fisheries research) with a slight ice reinforcement to be able to do research near the Arctic Circle during the summer. Although the North Sea remains the main focus area of the new vessel, the research area extends further than the current RV Belgica: northwards to above the Arctic Circle, further southwards including the Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea and westwards to the Atlantic Ocean. The ship will have an autonomy of 30 days and will carry out research at sea for up to 300 days a year.

The new Belgica will ensure compliance with national and international obligations and continuity in support of marine sciences. The international dimension of science will also receive the necessary attention, not only for Belgian scientists but also for their European colleagues. Just like the current RV Belgica was already part of the European EUROFLEETS network in this context (in which European scientists can obtain shipping time on foreign research vessels), the new RV Belgica will also remain active within this network. Under the umbrella of the European Marine Board, Belgium is also participating in a study on the status of the European fleet of research vessels, and is determining the key role that these vessels will play now and in the future in the pursuit of a better understanding of the oceans, the ecosystem functions that they provide us with, and the preconditions within which human activities can be permitted. A European Marine Board Position Paper on this subject will be published in the autumn of 2019. Thanks to the new RV Belgica and the European framework, Belgium remains at the forefront of sea-related science and technology and helps to ensure that Europe can remain a world leader in marine science and exploration.

During the announcement of the name RV Belgica II, it was very busy on RV Belgica (© RBINS)

 

The ‘NewRV’ project could only be realsied thanks to the collaboration between the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (RBINS), the Ministry of Defence and the Federal Science Policy (BELSPO). The new Belgica will be owned by the Belgian State, represented by the Federal Science Policy (BELSPO). Operational management will be provided by the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (RBINS) in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence.

More information about the ‘NewRV’ project and the technical specifications of the new ship can be consulted at www.belspo.be/NewRV, where the construction process can also be followed.

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Aerial Surveys over the North Sea in 2018

In 2018, we performed a total of 225 flight hours over the North Sea in the framework of the national programme of aerial surveys. This contribution lists the most important results, with focus on the core tasks: surveillance of marine pollution and monitoring of the marine environment. 16 cases of operational discharges by ships have been observed, and suspect sulphur values have been measured in the smoke plumes of 73 vessels. With this sulphur emission monitoring effort, Belgium plays an international pioneering role which arouses an increasing interest, even from far outside Europe. The plane also successfully participated in an internationally coordinated surveillance mission of the oil and gas installations in the central part of the North Sea. Furthermore, the aircraft performed some important marine mammals counts, with record densities of harbour porpoises observed in the Belgian waters in the spring of 2018.

The Coastguard aircraft OO-MMM in action. (c) RBINS/MUMM

Overview of surveillance flights

A total of 225 flight hours have been performed in the framework of the national North Sea aerial survey programme in 2018. This programme is organised by the scientific service MUMM (Management Unit of the Mathematical Model of the North Sea) of the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence. Most of the flight hours were for national flights (178 hours):

  • 162 hours in the context of the Belgian Coastguard structure:
    • 121 hours for pollution control, equally divided over the detection of discharges of oil and other harmful substances (MARPOL Annex I, II and V) and the monitoring of sulphur emissions from ships (MARPOL Annex VI / SECA enforcement);
    • 37 hours for fishery control, on behalf of and in cooperation with the Flemish Fishery Inspection Services;
    • 4 hours in response to specific alerts and for airborne support in pollution combating exercises
  • 16 hours for marine mammal monitoring

A smaller part (47 hours) have been spent on international missions, of which 25 hours on sulphur emission monitoring in Dutch waters on behalf of the Dutch competent authorities, and 22 hours on the Tour d’horizon-mission for aerial surveillance of offshore oil and gas installations in the North Sea, an international mission framed in the Bonn Agreement.

Discharges from ships

Fortunately, the Belgian waters have not been affected by pollution as a result of shipping accidents (accidental pollution) in 2018. On the other hand, 16 cases of operational discharges from ships have been observed:

  • Five oil spills, all of minor volumes. In four of these cases, a spill was found without a vessel in the area. In one case however, a visual link could be made with a vessel, in Belgian waters. For this MARPOL Annex I violation case, a subsequent port investigation was performed in Hamburg, and an official statement was sent to the competent Prosecutor’s office.
The number of operational oil discharges shows a clear downward trend. (c) RBINS/MUMM
  • Ten spills of other harmful substances than oil (MARPOL Annex II). In none of these cases however a link could be made with a polluter.
Discharges of other harmful substances (other than oil) are not yet a thing of the past. (c) RBINS/MUMM
  • One case of a suspected MARPOL Annex V violation by a vessel (non-permitted release of solid cargo residues) observed in Belgian waters. In this case the suspected vessel underwent a port inspection in Rotterdam, followed by the delivery of an official statement to the competent Belgian Prosecutor’s office.

Monitoring of sulphur emissions from ships at sea

During 88 hours of sniffer flights over the Belgian and Dutch waters, monitoring compliance with the stringent fuel sulphur content limits for ships sailing in the North Sea SECA (Sulphur Emission Control Area), the sulphur emissions of a total of 1139 ships were effectively measured at sea. 73 of these vessels showed suspiciously high sulphur values. These cases were systematically reported to the competent maritime inspection services for a further follow-up in port.

The sulphur content in ship emissions can be measured at sea thanks to the sniffer technology. (c) RBINS/MUMM

At this moment Belgium is one of the few countries performing such offshore monitoring of sulphur emissions of individual ships. The gained experience and results, also in terms of subsequent port inspections of suspected vessels, have led to considerable interest in Europe and beyond.

International ‘Tour d’Horizon’ mission

During the annual TdH-mission for the surveillance of offshore platforms in the central part of the North Sea (in Dutch, German, Danish, Norwegian and British waters), performed in the framework of the Bonn Agreement, the Belgian surveillance aircraft detected 26 pollutions, of which 23 oil detections could be directly linked to offshore installations. One oil spill and 2 spills of other harmful substances had no vessel or platform in the vicinity. These detections were systematically reported for further follow-up to the competent coastal State, in accordance with agreed international procedures.

This oil slick could clearly be linked to a drilling platform. (c) RBINS/MUMM

Marine mammal monitoring off the Belgian coast

In April, July and October 2018, marine mammal monitoring campaigns were performed over the entire Belgian marine area. During these campaigns, a total of 501 marine mammals (mainly harbour porpoises) were observed along the standard flight pattern. A remarkably high density of harbour porpoises was observed during the April survey (estimate of an average density of more than 5 porpoises per km²). An exceptional pod of 25 bottlenose dolphins was observed off the Belgian coast during the monitoring flight in July, a sighting that received a lot of media attention.

Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Belgian waters, spotted from the coastguard aircraft on 16 July 2018. (c) RBINS/MUMM
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SAVE THE DATE – Atmosphere, ocean and climate in the 21st century

The Royal Academy for Sciences of Belgium is honoured to invite you to a series of evening lectures on ‘Atmosphere, ocean and climate in the 21st century’ on 2 and 9 October 2019.

These conferences will take place in the Palais provincial de Namur and will be held in French.

It is recommended that participants register on the website by clicking on the “registration” button on the lesson page. If this is not possible, registration can be done at the course reception desk using paper forms.

© images (left to right, top to bottom) : pics-about-space.com/IPCC AR5 (2014)/ wallpaperscraft.com/NOAA/reference.com/thiswallpaper.com

This cycle of lectures introduces the basic concepts of atmospheric dynamics, physical oceanography and life in the oceanic ecosystems. The functioning of the climate machine is presented, as well as the effects of the current perturbations thereof. The goal is to frame the principal concepts that allow to understand how perturbations of the climate system can affect life, including human society.

 

Conference 1 – System « Earth » : Atmosphere, ocean and cycles of life

Wednesday 2.10.2019 – 17h-19h

The circulation of the atmosphere presides the formation of the dominant winds in the vicinity of Earth, and the transport of warmth and aerosols around the globe. The dominant winds contribute to the formation of great ocean currents but are also the cradle of local physical phenomena that are essential to marine life. These notions allow introducing the cycle of life in the ocean and the structure of typical marine ecosystems, as well as the cycles of water and carbon that are intergated in the climatic system.

 

Conference 2 – Climatic perturbations of the system « Earth»

Wednesday 9.10.2019 – 17h-19h

Anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions cause warming of the atmosphere, while CO2 emissions also contribute to acidifying the surface ocean. This has implications for the water cycle, ecosystems, climate and human societies around the world. Understanding the Earth system and climate change is a remarkable scientific breakthrough that makes us see the world as it is. This knowledge could upset man’s perceptions of the ecosystem in which he wishes to prosper.

 

Contacts :

Xavier Desmit (RBINS), xdesmit@naturalsciences.be

Alexis Merlaud (BIRA-IASB), alexis.merlaud@aeronomie.be

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How healthy is our North Sea?

The main objective of the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) is to achieve ‘good environmental status’ in the marine environment of all EU member states by 2020. Following the publication of a first assessment of the Belgian marine waters in 2012, 2018 is the next reporting year. The main conclusion of the current assessment is that the desired ‘good environmental status’ has not yet been achieved in the Belgian part of the North Sea. However, a positive evolution is observed for various elements.

After the European launch of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive in 2008, the framework was incorporated into Belgian legislation in 2010, followed by the publication of an initial assessment of the Belgian marine waters (what state of health is the North Sea in?) and a description of the ‘good environmental status’ (what state do we want to achieve?) in 2012. The environmental objectives that were defined allow us to evaluate the progress towards good environmental status. The MSFD provides for a six-yearly review. Based on data collected in monitoring programmes, mainly during the period 2011-2016, a new evaluation could be composed in 2018. In the new report, more than 50 indicators are assessed (grouped into 11 themes or ‘descriptors’), which allow us to gain insight into the current state of health of our North Sea. The results were compiled in a comprehensive report and summarised on a new website.

Phaeocystis globosa foam is mainly found on the beaches during periods of high nutrient richness. © C. Lancelot

The Belgian Part of the North Sea

Although the Belgian marine waters, with a surface area of 3454 km², are only the size of an average Belgian province, they are one of the most intensively used stretches of sea on our planet. It is a constant challenge to keep the influence of various human activities (ship transport, fishing, sand and gravel extraction, renewable energy, dredging, water transport, tourism, etc.) on the marine environment within acceptable limits, and thus to ensure a lasting balance between human influence and the preservation of natural values. Given the importance of transboundary currents on the state of the Belgian part of the North Sea, an international approach is also required for many aspects.

The number of illegal oil discharges has declined sharply since the launch of an air monitoring programme in 1991. The occurrence of oil spill accidents cannot, of course, be completely excluded. © RBINS/MUMM

The Main Results

  • For commercial fisheries, one of the nine reported fish stocks is assessed as being fished fully sustainable (plaice). Seven species report positive developments (cod, whiting, sole, turbot, brill, dab, flounder). Only for lemon sole did the biomass sometimes decrease during the assessment period. The introduction of more ambitious management objectives and a more correct application of the EU Common Fisheries Policy are important explanatory factors.
  • Eutrophication (excessive nutrient concentrations in water, potentially leading to algal blooms and oxygen deficiency) remains a problem in almost one third of the Belgian part of the North Sea, particularly in the coastal zone. Due to the currents, however, this does not necessarily result in undesirable phenomena such as oxygen deficiency.
  • The concentrations of pollutants in water, biota and sediment still exceed the applicable environmental quality standards. Most non-compliant substances belong to the group of persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic substances. For certain other substances, further elaboration of target values at regional level is appropriate. A positive evolution (i.e. decreasing trends) was noted for various substances but follow-up remains necessary, in particular for copper, which is again widely used in antifouling paint on ships due to the ban of TBT (tributyltin). For most effects of contaminants a reduction is observed or a good assessment is obtained.
A clear improvement is observed in the reproductive state of marine snails. In the picture a common dog whelk (Nucella lapillus) between mussels (Mytilus edulis) and barnacles, Zeebruges, © Franky Bauwens
  • The incidence of fish diseases cannot yet be assessed and the number of oil-covered birds is showing a sharp downward trend, due to a decrease in the number of illegal oil discharges since the launch of an air monitoring programme in 1991.
  • The concentrations of contaminants in fish and fishery products for human consumption all meet the European health standard.
  • Eight new non-indigenous species were observed during the assessment period, compared to the 42 already identified in the period before 2011.
  • For marine litter the situation is still problematic. This element requires considerable attention. 
For litter on the beaches, the situation remains problematic. © RBINS/MUMM
  • The effects of energy (including underwater noise) on marine biota are still unclear, although the flight behaviour of marine mammals as a response is abundantly clear. The monitoring of environmental noise will be further elaborated on a regional scale.
  • The state of the benthic habitat (the bottom) is not optimal, mainly due to disturbance by bottom fishing and only to a very limited extent, or only locally, by other human activities. The species composition of benthic habitats differs from the reference communities due to the lack of long-lived species.
Only juvenile specimens of the flat oyster (Ostrea edulis) were observed during the reference period. © RBINS/MUMM
  • A positive trend is observed for thornback ray as an indicator for long-lived species, which illustrates the potential for recovery for such species.
  • The environmental targets for seabirds are not met, or the numbers are decreasing with current densities just above the threshold values.

Conclusions 

  • Good environmental status has not yet been achieved in the Belgian part of the North Sea, although a positive evolution was observed for several elements.
  • For certain purposes, further data collection is necessary to reach a conclusion (fish diseases, benthic fauna, seabed litter, …) as monitoring for these aspects was only recently started. Furthermore, for various elements it appears that there is a need for knowledge and scientific support to complete and improve the assessment (litter, underwater noise, cumulative effects, etc.).
  • International cooperation remains important as the state of the Belgian waters is largely determined by transboundary currents.

The MSFD monitoring and reporting are coordinated by the Marine Environment Service of the Federal Public Service of Public Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment (DG EM) and the Scientific Service Management Unit of the Mathematical Model of the North Sea (MUMM) of the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (RBINS). In addition to RBINS, the following partners also made an important contribution: Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Research (ILVO), Institute for Nature and Forest Research (INBO) and the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FASFC).

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Fin Whale of De Haan Probably Died a Natural Death

The fin whale that was beached in De Haan on 25 October probably died a natural death. This became evident from the autopsy by the universities of Ghent and Liège and the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences.

The veterinarians and biologists found no evidence that the whale died from human factors. The Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalis), an almost fully grown male of 18 meters long and estimated at 30 tons, was very emaciated and its stomach was almost empty. Additional analyses for the presence of some known viruses were negative.

Story of the Stranding

The dead fin whale was spotted on 24 October in the Belgian part of the North Sea. Because the carcass was floating in a busy shipping route, the maritime services kept some of their ships alternately near the animal and the traffic centre of Zeebrugge sent out a general warning to keep ships at bay.

The cadaver of the fin whale was already documented from the air by RBINS scientists. (c) RBINS

Researchers from the Operational Directorate Natural Environment of the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences predicted by means of simulations – which take into account sea currents, wind and waves – that the carcass would wash ashore between Oostende and De Haan during the night of 24 to 25 October or during the morning of 25 October. Because the carcass could pose a danger to shipping, and because some parts of the coast are difficult to access for heavy equipment, the MRCC Oostende (Maritime Rescue and Coordination Centre) and the local authorities decided to beach it in a controlled manner. A rescue ship pulled the carcass to the beach near Vosseslag, de Haan, where it arrived around 2h00 at night.

A simulation by RBINS made it possible to indicate the zone where the fin whale would washe ashore. (c) RBINS

Quite Fresh

The impressive remains of the almost mature male were still relatively fresh. He must have died about 48 hours before the start of the autopsy. But the decomposition of large whales goes very fast. A connection with the common whale filmed five days earlier in the Netherlands could not be confirmed, nor with the sighting of a ‘whale’ on 23 October near the Buitenratel sand bar.

The fin whale on the beach of De Haan. (c) RBINS

The autopsy, carried out by veterinarians and students from the universities of Ghent and Liège and biologists from the RBINS, could not prove that a human factor contributed to the death of the animal. The fin whale was very emaciated, with a very thin layer of blubber and an almost empty stomach. Additional analyses for some viruses – morbilli, herpes, influenza and brucella – were negative. So the animal probably died a natural death.

A unique opportunity for scientists to collect all kinds of samples! (c) RBINS

The animal weighed an estimated 30,000 kilograms. Of this, 24 tons were transported by the Civil Protection to the company Rendac for processing. At the request of the municipality of De Haan, the gigantic lower jaw was spared. It will be exhibited locally after treatment by Ghent University. The university museum of Ghent University will preserve one of the pectoral fins. Numerous tissue samples have also been collected, as well as parasites that lived on the fin whale.

The autopsy and removal of a dead whale guarantee disgusting images. (c) RBINS

Rare

Fin whales are rarely seen in the North Sea. The previous stranding dates from 1 November 1997. After that, dead fin whales were brought into Belgian ports twice at the bow of a ship, in 2009 in Antwerp and in 2015 in Ghent.

The cooperation between the various services for the stranding, autopsy and removal of the dead fin whale went very well: The Agency for Maritime Services and Coast (Shipping Assistance Division, Maritime Rescue and Coordination Centre, DAB Vloot), Ship Support, Shipping Police, the Services of the Governor of the Province of West Flanders, Civil Protection, the FPS Public Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment, the Cabinet of the Secretary of State for the North Sea, the local authorities of De Haan, the universities of Ghent and Liège and the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences.