This dataset represents the location of the Princess Elizabeth zone in the Belgian Part of the North Sea as described in the Royal Decree of May 22th, 2019, establishing a marine spatial plan for the period 2020-2026. Art. 8. § 3.

This dataset is part of the 2018 Belgian submission for the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) linked to descriptor 1, criterion 1. Stranded porpoises often show traces of incidental catch in fishing nets (bycatch), a major cause of death for this cetacean in the North Sea. Based on the number of stranded animals showing traces of bycatch, it can be estimated that up to a few dozen porpoises are caught per year. For extrapolation of bycatch data to effects at population level, reference is made to (future) initiatives at regional level.

This dataset is part of the 2018 Belgian submission for the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) linked to descriptor 1, criterion 2. The Raja clavata dataset describes the results of the Offshore Beam Trawl Surveys (BTS) in the Belgian part of the North Sea (BPNS) between 2010 and 2017. Occurrences of Raja Clavata, along with dates and locations, are reported. The codes used in the attached file are based on the ICES DATRAS (Database of Trawl Surveys) standard. The seabirds dataset describes the density of seabirds (N birds/km) observed in the BPNS between 1987 and 2016 (three surveys a year).

This dataset is part of the 2018 Belgian submission for the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) linked to descriptor 4, criterion 2. Three distinct datasets are published for this criterion.'Occurrence of breeding seabirds' describes the observation of eight seabird species (Common tern, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Common Gull, Small Black-backed Gull, Yellow-legged gull, Big Stern and Little Stern) on the Belgian coast between 1992 and 2015. 'Density of seabirds' describes the density of seabirds (N birds/km) observed at large in the Belgian part of the North Sea between 1987 and 2016 (three surveys a year). Thirteen species are monitored and the evolution of each species density is shown as diagrams.'Occurrence of important benthic species' describes the results of Van Veen sampling campaigns performed between 2009 and 2014 in the Belgian part of the North Sea. Benthic species are counted and identified (e.g. Annelida, Echinodermata,..).

The Royal Decree of 20 March 2026 establishing a marine spatial plan defines Oostdyck Radar Tower Art. 25. § 3 Please refer to the Belgian official gazette ("Moniteur belge/Belgisch Staatsblad") for official reference information.

The Royal Decree of 20 March 2026 establishing a marine spatial plan defines Coastal Protection Strip Art. 20. § 2 Please refer to the Belgian official gazette ("Moniteur belge/Belgisch Staatsblad") for official reference information.

The Royal Decree of 20 March 2026 establishing a marine spatial plan defines Dredging_S1 Art. 15. § 1.1°, Dredging_S2 Art. 15. § 1.2°, Dredging_Bridges and Roads Ostend Art. 15. § 1.3°, Dredging_Bridges and Roads Zeebrugge East Art. 15. § 1.4°, Dredging_Bridges and Roads Zeebrugge West Art. 15. § 1.5°, Dredging_Bridges and Roads Nieuwpoort Art. 15. § 1.6°, Dredging_Erosion Pit Zeebrugge Art. 15. § 1.7°, Dredging_Future Replacement S1 Art. 15. § 4.1°, Dredging_Second Future Replacement S1 Art. 15. § 4.2°, Dredging_Second Possible Replacement Zeebrugge East and Zeebrugge West Art. 15. § 6, Dredging_Possible Replacement Zeebrugge East and Zeebrugge West Art. 15. § 6, Dredging_Third Possible Replacement Zeebrugge East and Zeebrugge West Art. 15. § 6, Dredging_Future Replacement Bridges and Roads Nieuwpoort Art. 15. § 8 Please refer to the Belgian official gazette ("Moniteur belge/Belgisch Staatsblad") for official reference information.

The Royal Decree of 20 March 2026 establishing a marine spatial plan defines QZR 040 Art. 21. § 1.1°, NBH-10 Art. 21. § 1.2°, NB-01 Art. 21. § 1.3°, Outside Ratel Art. 21. § 1.4°, BNOM Art. 21. § 1.5°, Shallow Water Zone Art. 21. § 1.6°, Munition Destruction Area Art. 21. § 2, Lombardsijde_Small Shooting Sector Art. 21. § 3.1°, Lombardsijde_Middle Shooting Sector Art. 21. § 3.2°, Lombardsijde_Large Shooting Sector Art. 21. § 3.3°, Ammunition Dumping Site Paardenmarkt Art. 22. § 1 Please refer to the Belgian official gazette ("Moniteur belge/Belgisch Staatsblad") for official reference information.

This dataset represents the exact location of gas pipelines installed in the Belgian Part of the North Sea.

This dataset is part of the 2018 Belgian submission for the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) linked to descriptor 10, criterion 1. The seafloor dataset describes the litter gathered between 2012 and 2014 during beam trawl (BTS) fishery surveys in the Belgian part of the North Sea (BPNS). It provides the date, location and haul information, type of litter found and information in the size of the items. Additionally the ship name and cruise references are reported. The data is recorded following ICES guidelines allowing future inclusion in the ICES online database DATRAS (Database of Trawl Survery). The sludge dataset describes the litter found between 2013 and 2016 on dredge disposal sites located in the coastal area of the Belgian part of the North Sea (BPNS). It provides the date, location, amount and type of litter as well as methodological information (e.g. mesh size). Additionally, the ship name and cruise references are reported. The beach litter dataset contains information on beach litter for the period 2012-2016 washed ashore on two reference beaches (Oostende Halve Maan & Oostende Raversijde). 40 surveys (100m transects) have been executed until January 2017. Monitoring & data recording has been done according to the OSPAR Guideline for Monitoring Marine Litter on the beaches in the OSPAR maritime area (OSPAR, 2010). Besides the number of litter items, the category is also noted. The dataset is characterized by a high variation in the number of items. The data are reported to OSPAR beach litter database. Conclusions: see https://odnature.naturalsciences.be/msfd/nl/assessments/2018/page-d10