• Theme

    Invasive species

    The problem A number of species did not occur naturally in the Belgian part of the North Sea, but were intentionally or unintentionally introduced by man. Some of these species...
  • Theme

    Ocean acidification

    What is ocean acidification? The increased CO2 concentration in the atmosphere is a result of the burning of fossil fuels. This not only has an effect on the climate but also on...
  • Theme

    Pollution and litter

    Many types of pollution Pollution of the marine environment occurs in different forms such as: • Oil pollution • chemical substances • litter, particularly...
  • Theme

    Climate change

    Global warming The average temperature of the earth has been rising gently over the last decades. This climate change is mainly caused by the burning of fossil fuels whereby much...
  • Theme

    Overfishing and bycatch

    Overfishing Improved fishing techniques, bigger ships, a rising demand for fish, ... imply that steadily increasing volumes of fish are being hauled up. When more is caught than...
  • Theme

    Loss of biodiversity

    The problem The sea and its biodiversity have been impacted adversely. It is not only the loss of biodiversity due to the decrease in the density and distribution of many...
  • Theme

    Whaling

    Hunting is the most familiar threat known to the general public. It is practised by different countries and is often highly controversial. There are different types of whaling...
  • Theme

    Noise disturbance

    It is not silent under the water! Shipping, piling works for the installation of wind turbines, seismic research, military exercises and the detonation of old munitions cause...
  • Theme

    Marine laws, directives and conventions

    MARINE LAWS, DIRECTIVES AND CONVENTIONS Various marine laws, directives and conventions safeguard the rich biodiversity of the marine environment and prevent pollution of the...
  • Theme

    Working in an international framework

    The Belgian part of the North Sea forms just 0.5% of the North Sea and thus covers a very small part of the world's seas. It hence goes without saying that the federal marine...