• Theme

    Scientific research

    Measuring is knowing! The Belgian part of the North Sea is one of the most minutely studied seas. Right from the beginning of the 19th century, different research areas were...
  • Theme

    Regional and global cooperation

    Because the environmental problems are international in nature - the environment knows no borders - there is a need for an international environmental policy. There are a number...
  • Theme

    Eutrophication

    What is eutrophication? Eutrophication occurs when too many nutrients - such as phosphates and nitrates - end up in the environment as a result of human activities. Primarily,...
  • 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...