On 20 October 2022, a mooring block used for underwater noise monitoring that had been lying on the seabed for three years was recovered from the Seastar wind farm by scientific divers from the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences. This operation was carried out as part of the research carried out by the research vessel RV Belgica.
The anchor block had a structure that was supposed to serve as housing for a buoy cable but was now filled with sediment. In that sediment, researchers from the research team MARECO (Marine Ecology and Management) found nothing less than a new species for the Belgian waters, the peanut worm (Sipuncula) Nephasoma rimicola. The species is known from the northeastern Atlantic and has also been found in the English Channel, but was thus not previously observed in Belgium.
On top of that, a European flat oyster Ostrea edulis, estimated to be 2-3 years old, was found on the anchor block itself (bottom right of photo). Molecular techniques will be used to determine the origin of the oyster. A promising observation for possible oyster recovery projects in the Belgian part of the North Sea! (For background on the exceptional nature of this find, see here, among others).
At the end of the 13th plenary session of the European Coast Guard Functions Forum (ECGFF), held in Split from 5 to 7 September 2022, Belgium took over the role of president from Croatia.
Belgian Coast Guard presidents Piet Pieters (Federal) and Nathalie Balcaen (Flemish) received the European flag during the ceremony and exchanged information on the organisation of this important event.
This forum is a unique and excellent tool that allows us to exchange information and experiences, learn from joint exercises and devise solutions to common problems together. In short: to strengthen our ties with the coastguard organisations of European member states.
The Belgian Coast Guard is organising several activities in the coming year:
a workshop together with Frontex (the European Border and Coast Guard Agency)
a workshop together with EMSA (European Maritime Safety Agency)
a meeting of the Cyber Security Working Group
the “COASTEX 23” exercise in cooperation with EFCA (European Fisheries Control Agency)
a plenary conference in cooperation with DG MARE (Directorate General Maritime Affairs and Fisheries)
Thanks to the Belgian presidency, participants will get to know our diverse country and the Belgian part of the North Sea better.
The Scientific Service ‘Management Unit of the Mathematical Model of the North Sea (MUMM)’ of the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (RBINS) represents the Federal Science Policy Office as Coast Guard partner.
In the shadow of the sighting of a carcass of a Fin Whale adrift in the Belgian North Sea on Friday 30 September (later washed up in Westkapelle, The Netherlands), we witnessed another exceptional stranding on Sunday 2 October. Indeed, that day a Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) washed up on the beach at De Haan.
The animal was initially perceived to be a Harbour Porpoise, only after collection it became clear that it was a Bottlenose Dolphin in an advanced state of decomposition. It was a young male barely 2.24 m long and weighing only 129 kg. Injuries to the tail suggested that the animal came into contact with the propeller of a small vessel. However, the autopsy, conducted at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Liege, could not confirm whether a collision was the cause of death or possibly took place post-mortem. The death could possibly be linked to a starvation process, but the state of decomposition of the cadaver prevented a more complete investigation.
It does not appear to be the Bottlenose Dolphin which is regularly seen in the western part of the Belgian waters, actively seeking human presence there. The Bottlenose Dolphin is native to the southern North Sea but has been very rare there since the 1960s. Since 1995, only two other strandings of Bottlenose Dolphins were recorded in Belgium, in 2016 and 2017.
More information on the occurrence of Bottlenose Dolphins in the North Sea and Belgium can be found in this article.
Aquaculture at sea and the decommissioning of offshore wind farms come with a lot of opportunities and challenges.
In the Belgian part of the North Sea, a lot of action is already being taken in these areas. The federal government would like to align and consolidate these initiatives intoan integrated vision. Specific attention will be paid to sustainable blue growth within the framework of protecting and restoring the marine environment and marine biodiversity.
The Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences and the Marine Environment Department of the Federal Public Service Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment will guide this process.To this end, two separate trajectories will be launched, both with a kick-off on Tuesday, October 18th, 2022 at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Bruges.
In the morning, the track on aquaculture will begin.
In the afternoon, the track on wind farm decommissioning will start.
In order to arrive at a widely supported vision, we would like to involve all stakeholders, to hear, from the start, as many different opinions as possible of this interactive collaboration!
What opportunities do you see?
What concerns do you have?
What aspects should be taken into account?
What additional scientific information is still required?
Together we will spend the next six months developing in a transparent manner a vision for aquaculture on the one hand and wind farm decommissioning on the other, in the Belgian part of the North Sea. With this information, policy makers can then continue their work.
During this event every participant can speak his/her/their language of choice (NL/FR/ENG). However, no simultaneous interpretation will be provided.
Where?
Radisson Blu Hotel, Frank Van Ackerpromenade 17, 8000 Bruges
Programme
8:45 a.m. – reception with coffee
9 a.m. – welcome
PART AQUACULTURE
9:10 a.m.–introduction by Sophie Mirgaux, Marine Environment Service (FPS Health) 9:20 a.m. – plan of action by Steven Degraer, Marine Ecology and Management (MARECO) 9:30 a.m. – interactive roundtable discussions – aquaculture 10:45 a.m. – coffee break 11 a.m.– continued interactive roundtables – aquaculture
12h30 p.m. – 1.30 p.m. – lunch
PART DECOMMISSIONING WIND FARMS
1.30 p.m.– introduction by Sophie Mirgaux, Marine Environment Service (FPS Health) 1.40 p.m. –plan of approach by Steven Degraer, Marine Ecology and Management (MARECO) 1.50 p.m. – interactive roundtable discussions – wind farms decommissioning 3.15 p.m. – coffee break 3.30 p.m. – continued interactive roundtable discussions – wind farms decommissioning
On June 16th 2022, the POM West-Vlaanderen has introduced a request for an environmental permit for the installation of floating solar panels at sea and an electric sea cable to Ostend.
The request and the environmental impact study (including a draft appropriate assessment) can be consulted from August 22th till September 20th 2022, on weekdays from 9.00-17.00h in the offices of MUMM (Vautierstraat 29, 1000 Brussels, person to contact: Mia Devolder (0479 265 910, mdevolder@naturalsciences.be) or in the offices of MUMM in Ostend: 3de en 23ste Linieregimentsplein, 8400 Ostend, person to contact: Jan Haelters (jhaelters@naturalsciences.be, 02/788 77 26) on reservation only.
The electronic version of the documents is also available (in Dutch) :
Everybody who is concerned can send his point of view, remarks and objections by mail to MUMM, Mia Devolder (mdevolder@naturalsciences.be) until October 5th 2022.
The request can also be consulted in the offices of the local authorities of every coastal city, on working days and on appointment.
On June 16th 2022, the POM West-Vlaanderen has introduced a request for an environmental permit for the installation of floating solar panels at sea and an electric sea cable to Ostend.
The request and the environmental impact study (including a draft appropriate assessment) can be consulted from August 22th till September 20th 2022, on weekdays from 9.00-17.00h in the offices of MUMM (Vautierstraat 29, 1000 Brussels, person to contact: Mia Devolder (0479 265 910, mdevolder@naturalsciences.be) or in the offices of MUMM in Ostend: 3de en 23ste Linieregimentsplein, 8400 Ostend, person to contact: Jan Haelters (jhaelters@naturalsciences.be, 02/788 77 26) on reservation only.
The electronic version of the documents is also available (in Dutch) :
Everybody who is concerned can send his point of view, remarks and objections by mail to MUMM, Mia Devolder (mdevolder@naturalsciences.be) until October 5th 2022.
The request can also be consulted in the offices of the local authorities of every coastal city, on working days and on appointment.
In the new report ‘Strandings and sightings of marine mammals in Belgium in 2021’, the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, SeaLife Blankenberge and the University of Liège compile the results of monitoring and scientific research on marine mammals in Belgium in 2021. The doubling of the number of seals washed ashore dead, often perished in fishing nets, was the most remarkable finding.
Which dead or dying marine mammals washed up on our beaches? Which causes of death could be indicated? What are the trends of marine mammals in Belgium? How many seals has Sealife taken in? These are the questions to which one can find the answers in the latest marine mammal report, which focuses on the results from 2021.
In 2021, only harbour porpoises and seals stranded in Belgium. A dull year for marine mammal researchers after a spectacular 2020, when two Sowerby’s beaked whales and a Minke whale washed ashore? Certainly not. Indeed, the number of dead seals doubled to more than 100, compared to an almost constant number in the 2018-2020 period (44 on average). Determining the cause of death proved to be a real challenge. As many of the dead seals appeared to be ‘decapitated’, much commotion and speculation arose. In the end it turned out that many of the animals concerned had died in fishing nets. The proportion of Grey seals, which have claimed their place in the southern North Sea only more recently than the Harbour seals, has fluctuated between half and about 70% during the last 10 years.
With 74 stranded Harbour porpoises, 2021 was a rather moderate year. In 10 of the years since 2005 there were more (in four years even more than 100), in the six other years less. The cause of death could be determined for 30 porpoises: 15 fell prey to Grey seals (which is a remarkable number), 12 died of infectious diseases or starvation and ‘only’ 3 drowned in fishing nets.
Four live Harbour porpoises also stranded, all of which unfortunately died soon after stranding. Aerial surveys showed almost 3,000 Harbour porpoises in our waters during June and September.
Sealife Blankenberge took in eight Grey and 10 Common seals in 2021. Bite wounds (of unknown origin), injuries caused by the nylon rope of a fishing net, and other waste at sea (rubber ring), were at the basis of the need for rehabilitation. Six Grey seals and seven Harbour seals could be released in 2021. In contrast to the past, young Grey seals are now more often left lying on the beach: they become more numerous and they do not need our help most of the time.
The annual report also devotes attention to the death of Grey seal Oscar. This very old seal spent his last years on our coast and in 2021 became the mascot of the voluntary seal guard and received a lot of press attention. The solitary Bottlenose dolphin, which has been turning up regularly in our waters for many years and often seeks out the company of divers, also makes an appearance in the report.
2021 marked the 75th anniversary of the International Whaling Commission. Whether there is a reason to bring out the champagne, you can read in an opinion piece.
All marine mammals are legally protected in Belgium. Monitoring of the populations and research into explanations for the observed trends, for which the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences was appointed as the responsible institute, is part of the implementation of the Royal Decree on the protection of species in marine areas under Belgian jurisdiction, whereby, among other things, the agreements made within the Coast Guard are followed. Research into the state of health and causes of death is also an obligation in international agreements, which moreover teaches us a lot about the state of the marine environment. However, the monitoring and scientific research on marine mammals are only possible thanks to the support of the local emergency and control services and the enthusiasm and willingness to report of many observers.
For information on recent sightings of marine mammals in Belgium and instructions on what to do when stranded, please visit the website marinemammals.be. The full report for 2021 (available in Dutch and French), as well as the older annual reports, can be consulted here.
Coastal environments are under strong pressure from human activity but could also help us battle climate change. A promising method to remove CO2 from the atmosphere is to distribute silicate minerals in coastal areas since the chemical reaction that occurs when silicate minerals weather allows the ocean to take up more CO2. The new project DEHEAT will investigate the feasibility of using silicate weathering in coastal areas to remove CO2 from the atmosphere. This will be done by field studies of sites where silicate weathering rates are naturally high, and by modelling.
To kick off the project, the DEHEAT consortium organises a one-day symposium about carbon cycling in coastal environments on the 31st of August 2022. Covering a broad range of topics, the symposium will be a platform for networking and discussions about questions at the forefront of science. The symposium will be held in the Grand Auditoire at the Museum of Natural Sciences (Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences), Rue Vautier 29, 1000 Brussels. Attendance is free, but registration herebefore the 1st of August is required.
DEHEAT is a Belspo-funded project under the RV Belgica call, runs from 2022 to 2026 and is coordinated by the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences with partners at Universiteit Antwerpen and Université Libre de Bruxelles.
Programme
9.00 – 10.00 Registration and coffee 10.00 – 10.45 Sophie Opfergelt, UCLouvain, Belgium. Influence of permafrost thaw on weathering and organic carbon fluxes
10.45 – 11.30 Christophe Rabouille, LSCE, France.
RiOMars: a hotspot of carbon cycling at the river-sea interface
11.30 – 11.45 Break
11.45 – 12.30 Rebecca James, ULB, Belgium/SDU, Denmark
Promoters or temporary reservoirs: the carbon sequestration role of coastal vegetated ecosystems
12.30 – 14.00 Break (coffee 13.30 – 14.00)
14.00 – 14.45 Christian März, Uni Bonn, Germany.
ChAOS in the Barents Sea: Links between carbon, nutrients and metals
14.45 – 15.30 Ulrike Braeckman, UGent, Belgium. Title tba.
15.30 – 15.45 Break
15.45 – 16.30 Goulven Laruelle, ULB, Belgium. Quantifying the CO2 exchange between the atmosphere and the global coastal ocean
16.30 – 18.00 Network reception
Co-location of marine activities, lithium extraction from the deep sea, overfishing of deeper-water species, and the unexpected ocean impacts of wildfires and of new biodegradablematerialsare among fifteen issues experts warn we ought to be addressing now.
An international team of experts has produced a list of 15 issues that are not currently receiving widespread attention but are likely to have a significant impact on marine and coastal biodiversity over the next decade (see below for full list).
The horizon scan involved 30 experts in marine and coastal systems from 11 countries in the global north and south, from a variety of backgrounds including scientists and policy-makers. The study was led by Dr James Herbert-Read and Dr Ann Thornton in the University of Cambridge’s Department of Zoology, and included Prof Dr Steven Degraer of the Marine Ecology and Management (MARECO) team of the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (RBINS). The resulting paper ‘A global horizon scan of issues impacting marine and coastal biodiversity conservation’ was published in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution on 7 July 2022.
This horizon scanning process has previously been used to identify issues that have later come to prominence. For example, a scan in 2009 gave an early warning that microplastics could become a major problem in marine environments, which is indeed the case now.
While there are many well-known issues impacting ocean biodiversity, including climate change, ocean acidification and pollution, this study focuses on lesser-known emerging issues that could soon have significant impacts on marine and coastal ecosystems. These issues include the effects of new biodegradable materials on the marine environment, the impacts of wildfires on coastal ecosystems, and an ‘empty’ zone at the equator as species move away from this warming region of the ocean.
“Marine and coastal ecosystems face a wide range of emerging issues that are poorly recognised or understood, each having the potential to impact biodiversity,” said Dr James Herbert-Read. He added: “By highlighting future issues, we’re pointing to where changes must be made today – both in monitoring and policy – to protect our marine and coastal environments”.
For example, the report highlights the potential impact of new biodegradable materials on the ocean. Although such materials are promoted as a solution to the waste problem, some of these materials are more toxic to marine species than traditional plastics. Herbert-Read said: “Governments are making a push for the use of biodegradable materials, but in many cases we don’t know what impacts these materials may have on ocean life”.
At first glance, the potential impact of wildfires on coastal and marine environments may also seem unexpected, but in addition to habitat destruction, wildfires can cause water pollution from ash and other debris, sediment and nutrient slugs that move many kilometres downstream and impact aquatic life along the way, and the emergence of harmful algal blooms.
Apart from fish moving away from the equator, the authors also warn that the nutritional content of fish is declining as a consequence of climate change. Essential fatty acids tend to be produced by cold-water fish species, so as climate change raises ocean temperatures, the production of these nutritious molecules is reduced. Such changes may have impacts on both marine life and human health.
Several of the issues identified are linked to exploitation of ocean resources. For example, deep sea ‘brine pools’ are unique marine environments home to a diversity of life and have high concentrations of salts containing lithium. The authors warn that rising demand for lithium for electric vehicle batteries may put these environments at risk. They call for rules to ensure biodiversity is assessed before deep sea brine pools are exploited.
While overfishing is an immediate problem, the horizon scan looked beyond this to what might happen next. The authors think there may soon be a move to fishing in the deeper waters of the mesopelagic zone (a depth of 200m – 1000m), where fish are not fit for human consumption but can be sold as food to fish farms. “There are areas where we believe immediate changes could prevent huge problems arising over the next decade, such as overfishing in the ocean’s mesopelagic zone,” said Dr Ann Thornton. She added: “Curbing this would not only stop overexploitation of these fish stocks but reduce the disruption of carbon cycling in the ocean because these species are an ocean pump that removes carbon from our atmosphere”.
Although some of the problems listed may seem far away, the study is also relevant in the Belgian part of the North Sea. Steven Degraer of RBINS clarifies: “Issues like how to properly manage the co-location of human activities at sea or the possible alteration of the nutritional content of fish due to climate change are of direct relevance also to well-studied areas like the southern North Sea”.
Because our waters are positioned on a busy shipping route, near a number of large ports, and count many different users (shipping, fisheries, renewable energy, sand extraction, dredging, tourism, …), it remains a continuous challenge to reconcile all activities on a limited surface so that the cumulative effects remain acceptable and mitigable. And, of course, the effects of climate change are not exclusive to tropical regions.
Not all of the predicted impacts are negative. The authors think the development of new technologies, such as soft robotics and better underwater tracking systems, will enable scientists to learn more about marine species and their distribution. This, in turn, will guide the development of more effective marine protected areas. But they also warn that the impacts of these technologies on biodiversity must be assessed before they are deployed at scale.
“Our early identification of these issues, and their potential impacts on marine and coastal biodiversity, will support scientists, conservationists, resource managers, policy-makers and the wider community in addressing the challenges facing marine ecosystems,” said Herbert-Read.
The main aim of the study is therefore to raise awareness and encourage investment into full assessment of the predicted issues now, and potentially drive policy change, before the issues have a major impact on biodiversity.
By providing an early warning for the listed issues, the authors work in synergy with other ongoing processes. The United Nations has designated 2021-2030 as the ‘UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.’ In addition, the fifteenth Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity will conclude negotiations on a global biodiversity framework in late 2022. The aim is to slow and reverse the loss of biodiversity and establish goals for positive outcomes by 2050.
RBINS contributed to the ‘Special Noordzee‘ of the popular science monthly ‘EOS Wetenschap’ (only available in Dutch). Together with the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) and the Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO), we were part of the editorial board, and several RBINS scientists are featured in various articles. The result is available since 23 June 2022.
No less than 130 pages, about the RV Belgica, CSI marine mammals, non-indigenous shellfish, … and much more !
On Saturday 25 June 2022, the new Belgian oceanographic research vessel RV Belgica was baptised. The official ceremony took place at the Rigakaai (North Sea Port) in the godfather city of Ghent, where the RV Belgica was moored for a few days for this occasion. None other than HRH Princess Elisabeth honoured the ship by accepting to act as godmother. After pronouncing the baptismal formula « I baptise you BELGICA and wish you and your crew a safe journey. » she successfully broke a bottle of champagne on the hull.
The baptism of a ship is a remnant of an ancient tradition. In ancient times, the aim was to obtain the grace of the gods by offering a sacrifice, in which the blood of a sacrificed person was used. Later, wine replaced the sacrificial blood. Among seafarers, the saying spread: ” A ship that has not tasted wine will taste blood “. The idea is that a ship that has not been baptised will encounter difficulties: storms, damage or accidents … Later still, wine was replaced by champagne, the very symbol of celebration, success and happiness! Today, of course, this is regarded as superstition, but a baptism ceremony is still the occasion to bring together all those involved in the building, exploitation and operation of a ship, to officially welcome it and to wish it a successful future. The RV Belgica, which arrived in Belgium on 13 December 2021 and started her scientific activities on 27 January 2022, can now set sail without fear of disaster (wink wink).
The baptism ceremony of the RV Belgica was attended by Mr. Vincent Van Quickenborne, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice and the North Sea, Mr. Thomas Dermine, State Secretary for Relance, Strategic Investments and Science Policy, Admiral Michel Hofman, Rear Admiral of the King and Chief of Defence, Mrs. Carina Van Cauter, Governor of the Province of East-Flanders, Mr. Mathias De Clercq, Mayor of the city of Ghent, Mr. Arnaud Vajda, Chairman of the Belgian Science Policy Office, Divisional Admiral Jan De Beurme, Wing Adjutant of the King, Commander of the Navy and Deputy Admiral BENELUX, Mrs. Patricia Supply, General Director of the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences and Mr. Frank Monteny, General Director Research and Space of the Belgian Science Policy Office.
Numerous representatives from the scientific world, the various components of Defence, the local, provincial, regional and federal authorities, and the business community descended on the Rigakaai for the occasion. Mr Marcos Freire, General Director of Freire Shipyard, the Spanish shipyard that built the RV Belgica, Mrs Beatriz Larrotcha Palma, Ambassador of Spain to the Kingdom of Belgium, and Mr Eric Derriën, General Director of the operator Genavir, also attended the baptism ceremony.
Secretary of State Dermine: “The fact that Princess Elisabeth accepted to act as godmother of the RV Belgica is a great honour and a powerful signal that underlines our shared belief in an ambitious future for Belgian science policy. With no less than four times as much laboratory space as the previous Belgica, this 71-meter-long flagship will be able to make a strong contribution to marine research in Belgium and Europe. Ghent is a logical choice as a godfather: in the Artevelde city, the thirst for knowledge and the relationship with water determine the history, the identity and the future of the city.”
After the presentation of the invitees and a word of welcome by Secretary of State Dermine, who presided over the ceremony, the actual baptism was the first ceremonial element of the event, which lasted just under an hour in total. However, those present were then presented with a great deal of additional protocol.
The following attributes were donated to the RV Belgica: the Geus (a square flag with the national tricolour which is waved by way of salute) was presented by Secretary of State Dermine, the flag of auxiliary ship of the Navy by Division Admiral De Beurme, and the ship’s bell (a bronze bell in which the ship’s name is engraved) by Mayor De Clercq.
This was followed, with the consent of HRH Princess Elisabeth, by the recognition of the Commander of the RV Belgica, Corvette Captain Gaëtan Motmans, by Division Admiral De Beurme. He then addressed Mrs Supply for the secondment of the Commander, the Second Officer and the Chief Mate to the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences.
The certificates about the sponsorship of the RV Belgica were exchanged by Commander Motmans and Mayor De Clercq, whereupon the Mayor addressed the public.
Finally, the Commander and crew of the RV Belgica embarked, and Secretary of State Dermine invited HRH Princess Elisabeth for a visit on board, where she signed the golden book and received some technical and scientific demonstrations.
Adding to the stay of the RV Belgica in Ghent, some activities accessible to the public were organised. On Friday 24 June, the scientific symposium ‘RV Belgica – A ship for the future’ took place in the Aula of Ghent University, and on Saturday 25 June (morning) and Sunday 26 June (entire day), the public was given the opportunity to visit the ship. A science fair was also held on board, where various scientific users presented and demonstrated their activities. The fact that seats had to be reserved for a visit to the RV Belgica and the science fair was not a superfluous measure: the RV Belgica was continuously filled to capacity.
On the Rigakaai there was also a technology fair where visitors could discover the activities of DEME/NH Marine, Expo Marine, Hulpbetoon van de Marine/Entraide de la Marine, IC Defence, ABC Engines, North Sea Drones, Statamat and Thales. There were also several food trucks and opportunities for a drink, while young and less young children could enjoy themselves on a bouncy castle, climbing wall and death ride.
The Belgian Science Policy Office (BELSPO) represents the Belgian State as the owner of the RV Belgica, the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (RBINS) manages the calendar, budget and scientific instrumentation, the Belgian Navy provides the bridge personnel and the home port of Zeebruges, and the operator Genavir is responsible for the integrated management and operation of the ship.
