This dataset is part of the 2018 Belgian submission for the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) linked to descriptor 7, criterion 1. This dataset describes the impact of an offshore windmills farm on the hydrodynamics in the Belgian part of the North Sea (BPNS). Originally, it is a NetCDF file with the results of the reference simulation made with the COHERENS (COupled Hydrodynamical Ecological model for REgioNal Shelf seas) hydrodynamic model only forced by tides (no wind effect). Model resolution : ~ 12.5m. It contains both the reference situation which is a simulation without any windmill and the modeling result of the influence by the windmills on the hydrodynamic in the BPNS. The dataset contains the results on the most inner nested grid level for one reference spring-neap cycle: - hourly sea surface elevation - hourly bottom shear stress - hourly 3D horizontal velocity components (u,v) - hourly 3D eddy viscosity - time-averaged bottom shear stress over the reference spring-neap cycle - percentile 90 of the bottom shear stress for the reference spring-neap cycle - percentile 90 of the specific kinetic energy at the sea bed - accumulated time during which sedimentation processes are dominant - accumulated time during which re-suspension processes are dominant.

This dataset is part of the 2018 Belgian submission for the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) linked to descriptor 2, criterion 1. This dataset lists the newly-introduced species encountered on buoys and in epibenthic and Van Veen grab samples taken in the Belgian part of the North Sea (BPNS) between 2011 and 2016.

INSPIRE compliant download service (ATOM) for geographic information of the Marine Spatial Plan made available by the Royal Belgian Institute for Natural Sciences (RBINS).

This dataset is part of the Belgian submission for the 2018 Marine Strategic Framework Directive (MSFD) and reports on descriptor 1, criterion 6. This dataset describes the soft benthos analysis performed in the Belgian part of the North Sea between 2010 and 2016. Information on the location, date and procedure used for the sediment sampling is povided as well as the description of the species found in the samples. Based on this dataset, the Belgian MSFD reporting concluded that the benthic habitat quality is clearly lower in areas where a certain activity interferes with the environment in an intensive way.

This dataset is part of the 2018 Belgian submission for the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) linked to descriptor 8, criterion 1. This dataset describes the contaminant concentrations in biota. The priority substances mercury, hexachlorobutadiene and hexachlorobenzene are measured in mussels and flounder in the BPNS. Results for other parameters that are part of the OSPAR Coordinated Environmental Monitoring Program are also included: polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), heavy metals, organotin-compounds and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) for the period 2011-2016. The analyses are performed by ILVO and KBIN-OD Nature that both participate in the Quasimeme ring tests for additional quality control. Bird eggs of 2008, 2010 and 2015 are measured for mercury (Hg), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH). Eggs from the are measured and compared with OSPAR norms Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) are gathered in Zeebrugge and are analyzed by the Insitut für vogelforschung in Wilhelmshaven according to a standard protocol.

INSPIRE compliant download service (WFS) for geographic information of the Marine Spatial Plan made available by the Royal Belgian Institute for Natural Sciences (RBINS).

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.

The Royal Decree of 20 March 2026 establishing a marine spatial plan defines Monitoring Area Thorntonbank Art. 23. § 10.1°, Monitoring Area Gootebank Art. 23. § 10.2°, Scientific Research Zone Art. 23. § 3, Search Zone for Scientific Research Reserve Art. 23. § 6, Zone Accessible for Scientific Research 1 Art. 23. § 8.1°, Zone Accessible for Scientific Research 2 Art. 23. § 8.1°, Calibration Area for Acoustic Instruments Art. 23. § 9 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 Sand and Gravel Extraction_Sector 1a Art. 19. § 1.1°, Sand and Gravel Extraction_Sector 4d Art. 19. § 1.10°, Sand and Gravel Extraction_Sector 5 Art. 19. § 1.11°, Sand Extraction_Sector 2kb Art. 19. § 1.2°, Sand Extraction_Sector 2br Art. 19. § 1.3°, Sand Extraction_Sector 2od Art. 19. § 1.4°, Sand and Gravel Extraction_Sector 3a Art. 19. § 1.5°, Sand and Gravel Extraction_Sector 3b Art. 19. § 1.6°, Sand and Gravel Extraction_Sector 4a Art. 19. § 1.7°, Sand and Gravel Extraction_Sector 4b Art. 19. § 1.8°, Sand and Gravel Extraction_Sector 4c Art. 19. § 1.9°, Extraction Search Zone Art. 19. § 4 Please refer to the Belgian official gazette ("Moniteur belge/Belgisch Staatsblad") for official reference information.

This dataset represents the exact location of disused telecommunication cables installed in the Belgian Part of the North Sea.