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 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).

The Royal Decree of 20 March 2026 establishing the marine spatial plan for the period 2026 to 2034 in the Belgian marine areas defines 1 cultural heritage (wrecks) zones: Protected shipwrecks (Art. 26§1). It replaces the 2020 Marine Spatial Plan. Please refer to the Belgian official gazette ("Moniteur belgeBelgisch Staatsblad") for official reference information.

This dataset describes the extents and location of Sandbanks (code 1110) in the Belgian Part of the North Sea (BPNS) as required for article 17 of the Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora. The Council Directive seeks to contribute to ensuring biodiversity in the European Union by the conservation of natural habitats and wild fauna and flora species.

The Royal Decree of 22 May 2019 establishing a marine spatial plan defines 5 commercial and industrial zones: Zone A for commercial and industrial activities (Art. 23§1), Zone B for commercial and industrial activities (Art. 23§1), Zone C for commercial and industrial activities (Art. 23§1), Zone D for commercial and industrial activities (Art. 23§1), Zone E for commercial and industrial activities (Art. 23§1). Please refer to the Belgian official gazette (\"Moniteur belge/Belgisch Staatsblad\") for official reference information.

The Royal Decree of 20 March 2026 establishing the marine spatial plan for the period 2026 to 2034 in the Belgian marine areas defines 20 shipping and ports zones: IMO shipping zones (Art. 14§2), Traffic separation schemes (Art. 14§2), IMO traffic separation scheme "Noordhinder South" (Art. 14§2.1°), IMO precautionary area "in the vicinity of Thornton and Blighbank" (Art. 14§2.10°), Other routes and traffic flows (Royal Decree) (Art. 14§2.11°-19°), IMO traffic separation scheme "Off Noordhinder" (Art. 14§2.2°), IMO precautionary area "Noordhinder Junction" (Art. 14§2.3°), IMO traffic separation scheme "At Westhinder" (Art. 14§2.4°), Separation line "At West Hinder" (Art. 14§2.4°), IMO precautionary area "At Westhinder" (Art. 14§2.5°), IMO area to be avoided "At Westhinder" (Art. 14§2.6°), IMO deep-water route "Approach to the Scheldt" (Art. 14§2.7°), IMO two-way route "Westpit" (Art. 14§2.8°), IMO precautionary area "At Gootebank" (Art. 14§2.9°), Anchorage area "Oostdyck" (Art. 14§3.1°), IMO anchorage area "At Westhinder" (Art. 14§3.2°), Maritime safety research zone: Zone 1 (Art. 14§5.1°), Maritime safety research zone: Zone 2 (Art. 14§5.2°), Maritime safety research zone: Zone 3 (Art. 14§5.3°). It replaces the 2020 Marine Spatial Plan. Please refer to the Belgian official gazette ("Moniteur belgeBelgisch Staatsblad") for official reference information.

The Royal Decree of 20 March 2026 establishing the marine spatial plan for the period 2026 to 2034 in the Belgian marine areas defines 1 commercial and industrial zones: Zone C for commercial and industrial activities (Art. 27§1). It replaces the 2020 Marine Spatial Plan. Please refer to the Belgian official gazette ("Moniteur belgeBelgisch Staatsblad") for official reference information.

This dataset is part of the 2018 Belgian submission for the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) linked to descriptor 1, criterion 3. 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.

The Royal Decree of 22 May 2019 establishing a marine spatial plan defines 1 radar tower: Radar Oostdyck (Art. 21§3). Please refer to the Belgian official gazette (\"Moniteur belge/Belgisch Staatsblad\") for official reference information.

This dataset represents the exact location of electrical cables installed in the Belgian Part of the North Sea, including these for for the wind farms.