For today's International Day for Biological Diversity, @marinespecies.bsky.social collaborated with International Seabed Authority in highlighting the essential role of taxonomy in understanding & protecting deep-sea biodiversity. Interview with Leen Vandepitte (VLIZ)👇🏾 isa.org.jm/news/acting-...

🤝 𝗖𝗠𝗠𝗜 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗩𝗟𝗜𝗭 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 Through a MoU, signed during #EMD2026 in Limassol, the Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute (CMMI) and VLIZ join forces to strengthen innovation, knowledge exchange, & international collaboration in marine research. 🔗 shorturl.at/beHSZ

🇪🇺⚓Today and tomorrow, we are at the European Maritime Day 2026 in Limassol, Cyprus. #EMD2026, co-organised by the @ec.europa.eu, Maritime Cyprus & Limassol Municipality, is the European Union’s flagship annual event dedicated to maritime affairs & sustainable blue economy.

VLIZ is at the @eurogoos.eu 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 in Cyprus hosted by CMMI, bringing together the ocean observing & operational oceanography community. Find us at the @emodnet.bsky.social/EDITO booth together with Seascape BE & @copernicusmarine.bsky.social.

We are adding another event to the #WCMB2026 social program! Join us on Sunday 15 November 2026 for the annual Flemish Science Day, when @vliz.be opens the doors of the Marine Station Ostend to the public. More information👇 wcmb2026.org/social-progr... @unoceandecade.bsky.social

Last week, VLIZ presented pioneering research at the Marine Geological & Biological Habitat Mapping (#GEOHAB) 2026 conference in Malta! 🦆 Big news: In 2028, the GEOHAB duck comes to Belgium! 🇧🇪 The conference will be organized by RBINS, VLIZ, UGent, ILVO, FlemishHydrography and FPSEconomy.

🇪🇺 Proud to have joined the @ec.europa.eu Open Day in Brussels, in collaboration with DG MARE and DG RTD. VLIZ contributed to the OceanEye stand, the EC's recently launched initiative to strengthen ocean monitoring and observation capacities across Europe and beyond. 🔗 www.vliz.be/en/news/vliz...

This week, @vliz.be and Seascape Belgium represent #EDITO at the European Geosciences Union (EGU) General Assembly in Vienna. They showcase how digital ocean solutions are supporting marine science, collaboration and innovation. Come visit our team and connect to #EDITO. #EGU26

🇪🇺 This Saturday, 9 May, is Europe Day. Visit VLIZ and @EU_MARE at the Berlaymont Espalande in Brussels (10AM - 6PM) and experience how ocean observation works. #EUOpenDay #OceanEye

VLIZ is hiring: a marine data manager to support the MarineLife+ team, with a strong focus on data and project management within EMODnet Biology and closely related projects. Apply no later than 24 May 2026 👉 🔗 www.vliz.be/en/jobs/vliz...

The last keynote speaker we want to present to you is the receiver of the Carlo Heip Award for 2023-2025: Professor Emeritus Philippe Bouchet from @mnhn.fr The award will be officially handed over by #IABO during #WCMB2026 wcmb2026.org/keynotesbio#... @unoceandecade.bsky.social @vliz.be

🇪🇺 Looking for something inspiring to do on Sat. 9 May? Join the EC Open Day in Brussels and discover the recently launched OceanEye, a European ocean monitoring & observation initiative. Meet #VLIZ and learn about the importance of ocean observation. 🔗 commission.europa.eu/europe-day_en

🏆 Congratulation to Prof Emeritus Philippe Bouchet for receiving the International Carlo Heip Award for outstanding accomplishments in marine biodiversity science The award is granted by the International Association for Biological Oceanography and will be handed over during @wcmb2026.bsky.social.

VLIZ welcomed high-level Chinese delegation as part of the EU-China Blue Partnership for the Ocean. The visit included exchanges with @emodnet.bsky.social @emarineboard.bsky.social #BlauweCluster. A valuable moment to strengthen international cooperation on ocean observation & sustainable fisheries.

👏 Congratulations to our colleague Bram Cuyx to become one of the two new @emarineboard.bsky.social ambassadors for 2026. @kuleuvenuniversity.bsky.social - @fwovlaanderen.bsky.social

VLIZ recruits: a 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦/𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐫 and a 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐚 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐫 to join our Data Engineering team. Want to contribute to the future of Open Science at the VLIZ Marine Data Centre? Explore the roles and join us: 🔗https://vliz.be/en/jobs #VLIZrecruits #OpenDataJobs #OpenScience #MarineData

📢 New paper published! Scalable, cost-effective seabed landers could be the missing link for long-term, integrated monitoring of dynamic shallow seas 🔗 zslpublications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/... @dtobioflow.bsky.social @marco-bolo.bsky.social @lifewatchvliz.bsky.social

Introducing the keynote speakers of #WCMB2026: Leen Vandepitte from @vliz.be will present the keynote for Theme 5. She is the coordinator of @marinespecies.bsky.social, @eurobis.bsky.social, #IRMNG and the @lifewatchvliz.bsky.social Species Information Backbone. wcmb2026.org/keynotesbio#...

🌐 VLIZ recruits: Data Manager Geospatial Data & Products to develop innovative data products, contribute to international initiatives such as @emodnet.bsky.social & @bluecloud2026.bsky.social, and help make marine data open and FAIR. Apply no later than 3 May 🔗 www.vliz.be/en/jobs/vliz...

What did VLIZ achieve in 2025? The VLIZ Annual Report 2025 brings together the key milestones, impact and figures from a year of marine research and innovation. 🔗 Discover it here: www.vliz.be/nl/publicati...

🚀 Want to make your research data truly FAIR? Join the 3rd edition of the EMBRC FAIR Training (27–29 May, online) and learn how to make your data Findable, Accessible, Interoperable & Reusable. 🎓 Hands-on | 🌍 Online | 📅 Register by 18 May 👉 www.embrc.eu/fair-trainin... #FAIRdata #ugent

Congratulations to Ilias Semmouri & Elias De Craene on receiving the Dr Delcroix Research Grant & Incentive Award '26. 👏Presented by Hydro vzw and The Sea as a Good Cause (VLIZ), the Dr Delcroix grants celebrate innovative research into the link between the ocean & human health🔗 tinyurl.com/5camrza6

THE marine science communication event, the CommOcean Conference, returns this year! It will take place from 2-3 September 2026 in Bergen, Norway. The call for abstracts is now open until 1 May 2026 - find out more and submit yours here: www.uib.no/en/ocean/181... #scicomm #marscicomm

🐚 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗮𝗻 188.000 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗱 𝘁𝗶𝗷𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘀 9de 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗱𝗮𝗴 🐚 3800 burgers telden en identificeerden over de volledige Belgische en Nederlandse kust, en op 2 stranden in Noord-Frankrijk, 188.542 schelpen van in totaal 86 verschillende soorten. Lees meer 👉🔗 tinyurl.com/4db2c2bv

Congratulations Frederik Van Daele & Sofia Knoch (UGent) for winning the Brilliant Marine Research Idea (BMRI) grants 2026. The BMRI grants are awarded by The Sea as a Good Cause – VLIZ's charitable initiative – a Grant Making Facility for @unoceandecade.bsky.social.🔗https://tinyurl.com/msskjzub

We take an important step in international collaboration for the ocean. We have signed a cooperation agreement with the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) @vliz.be from Belgium 🇧🇪 A partnership connecting science, training, and ocean commitment at a global scale #OceanLiteracy #OceanScience

🪸🪼🦈 Happy Taxonomist Appreciation Day! 🐋🐙🐚 @marinespecies.bsky.social celebrates this day by releasing its annual WoRMS Top-10 Marine Species. In 2025 alone, almost 2600 new marine species were described. Find out the top-10 of newly described species in 2025 👉 🔗 www.vliz.be/en/news/ten-...

A rare beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) has been spotted off the Belgian coast. It was seen today at 4pm near the Strekdam in Ostend. Belugas are normally found in Arctic and sub-Arctic waters. This one appears to have strayed off. www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=... @marinespecies.bsky.social

We are very proud and honored to present the keynote speakers of #WCMB2026. The keynote speakers have been nominated by the Scientific Committee of WCMB2026. We will introduce each keynote speaker to you in the coming weeks. wcmb2026.org/keynote-spea... @unoceandecade.bsky.social @vliz.be

Very proud to be part of the Ocean Thematic Centre (OTC) of the European Integrated Carbon Observation System @icos-ri.eu. With the RV Simon Stevin and the Thorton buoy, VLIZ hosts two certified ICOS-stations measuring greenhouse gases at sea. #ICOS #SOCAT #ClimateResearch

We are proud to announce the formal signing of a MoU between @vliz.be and Fundación San Ignacio del Huinay fjord field station (University of Valparaiso), in the presence of HE Christian de Lannoy, ambassador of Belgium in Chile. @unoceandecade.bsky.social @janmees.bsky.social

On Wednesday 4 March, the VLIZ Marine Science Day #VMSD26 took place in Ostend. With 520 participants, it was the most attended edition ever. Missed VMSD26? Don’t worry – Relive the event now on 👉 www.vliz.be/en/news/reli... @unoceandecade.bsky.social

🏆Doctoral researcher Gladys Mwaka Holeh (#VLIZ #UGent) has been selected as a Blue Food Futures Fellow. Her research examines how artisanal seaweed aquaculture can support nutrition, climate resilience & coastal livelihoods along the Kenyan coast 🇰🇪. tinyurl.com/347w9jre @oceansolutions.stanford.edu

Next up are interviews with the winners of the Brilliant Marine Research Idea grants 2025: Sofie Peeters (ugent), Nada Nasri (UAntwerpen, Université de Tunis El Manar), Rodgee Mae Guden (ugent), Wenxin Liu (ugent), Tuan-Anh Bui (ugent, ILVO), Arida Fauziyah (VUB). #VMSD26

Another 5 enthusiastic predoctoral researchers accepted the challenge to pitch their research in 5-minute orals. From impacts of offshore windfarms to marine heatwaves #VMSD26

We start the afternoon session of #VMSD26 with our second keynote speaker Piet Opstaele, CEO of Blue Cluster. Piet talks about his experiences in life and the blue economy #VMSD26

During lunchtime, you can visit the interactive demo booths about internationalisation in marine science, divided in three clusters: ocean observation, climate and biodiversity #VMSD26

Very proud the #VMSD26 is recognised as an action in the framework of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development @unoceandecade.bsky.social #SDGs

Second batch of predoctoral researchers is presenting their work in 5-minute talks, covering topics from low-impact fisheries to gambling in seaside resorts. #VMSD26

Interested in the complete overview of talks, pitches, and posters of #VMSD26? Download the Book of Abstracts here: www.vliz.be/vmsd/en/book...

Are you a young marine scientist? Get to know the Early Career Ocean Professional Programme (ECOP) and learn how to get involved in the Belgium node 🇧🇪 🤝 Next information session is at 3pm in room Dactylo. @unoceandecade.bsky.social

Throughout the day, 20 enthusiastic predoctoral researchers present their ongoing work in 5 min talks. A nice and quick overview of the diversity of marine research in Flanders. #VMSD26

Dr. Joanna Post, Director of the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) and head of the IOC Ocean Observation and Services Section, is the first keynote speaker of today. “We have to look after our ocean because that’s what connects us” #VMSD26 @iodeoostende.bsky.social @unesco.bsky.social

President of VLIZ and governor of West Flanders Carl Decaluwé & VLIZ General Director Jan Mees @jmeesvliz officially kick-off the 25th edition of the VMSD. #VMSD26

You couldn’t make it to the Belgian coast today, or you simply forgot to subscribe? No worries, follow the livestream of #VMSD26 on our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcqt...

Ready for today’s VLIZ Marine Science Day 2026. A day full of interesting and inspiring talks on marine science, networking, and award ceremonies! This year, #VMSD26 is all about internationalisation. #VMSD26 #StadOostene

Looking forward to tomorrow's VLIZ Marine Science Day #VMSD26 in Ostend. With 520 participants, the 25th edition is fully booked! Check the programme here: www.vliz.be/vmsd/en/prog.... See you tomorrow in @DeGrotePost @StadaanZee.

Are you a student with a passion for the sea? VLIZ is looking for a few highly motivated student workers to join our team and support activities within marine research projects. Apply before March 29th🔗https://www.vliz.be/en/who-we-are/working-vliz/jobstudenten

The ticket sale for the public event at #WCMB2026 on Wednesday 18 November is now open. "How Deep is Your Love" is a feature documentary that takes you to the mysterious deep sea, the last wilderness on Earth. www.wcmb2026.org/social-progr... @unoceandecade.bsky.social @vliz.be

𝐕𝐋𝐈𝐙 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐬: 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫 📈 Become the administrative & financial heart of our projects and contribute to marine research with global impact. Are you analytical, structured & eager to learn? Apply no later than 23 March 2026. 🔗 www.vliz.be/en/jobs/vliz...