This dataset describes in general terms the data generated on-board the RV Belgica A962 by the different autonomous sensors, the so-called 'en-route' data. It comprises data related to the sea water and atmospheric conditions over the lifespan of the former research vessel. All data can be found on the official website along with detailed technical specifications.

The Royal Decree of 22 May 2019 establishing a marine spatial plan defines 2 potential seaport expansion zones: Potential harbour extension Oostende (Art. 12§2), Potential harbour extension Zeebrugge (Art. 12§3). It replaces the 2014 Marine Spatial Plan, which is included for completeness. The Royal Decree of 20 March 2014 establishing a marine spatial plan defines in its Art. 9. § 10, two zones (Art. 9 §10 zone 1, Ostend, Art. 9 §10 zone 2, Zeebrugge) for the potential extension of the sea ports of Ostend en Zeebrugge. These zones are made available digitally in the resource described by this metadata document. Please refer to the Belgian official gazette (\"Moniteur belge/Belgisch Staatsblad\") for official reference information.

The Royal Decree of 22 May 2019 establishing a marine spatial plan defines 7 cultural heritage (wrecks) zones: 'HMS Briljant' wreck (Art. 22), 'SS Kilmore' wreck (Art. 22), '’t Vliegend Hart' wreck (Art. 22), 'U-11' wreck (Art. 22), 'West Hinder' wreck (Art. 22), Wooden wreck 'Oostende' (Art. 22), Wreck site 'Buiten Ratel' (Art. 22). Please refer to the Belgian official gazette (\"Moniteur belge/Belgisch Staatsblad\") for official reference information.

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 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.

The Royal Decree of 22 May 2019 establishing a marine spatial plan defines 4 aquaculture zones: Zone 1 for aquaculture (Eastern zone) (Art. 14§1), Zone 2 for aquaculture (Noordhinder Noord) (Art. 14§2), Zone 3 for aquaculture (Noordhinder Zuid) (Art. 14§3), Zone 4 for aquaculture (Fairybank) (Art. 14§3). It replaces the 2014 Marine Spatial Plan, which is included for completeness. The Royal Decree of 20 March 2014 establishing a marine spatial plan defines in its Art. 10, two zones for sustainable aquaculture: Zone 1 for sustainable aquaculture, Art. 10 § 2 Zone 1; Zone 2 for sustainable aquaculture, Art. 10 § 2 Zone 2. These zones are made available digitally in the resource described by this metadata document. Please refer to the Belgian official gazette (\"Moniteur belge/Belgisch Staatsblad\") for official reference information.

The Royal Decree of 22 May 2019 establishing a marine spatial plan defines 1 coastal protection experiments zone: Zone for coastal protection experiments (Art. 16§2). It replaces the 2014 Marine Spatial Plan, which is included for completeness. The Royal Decree of 20 March 2014 establishing a marine spatial plan defines in its Art. 12. §1 one zone for coastal protection experiments. This zone is made available digitally in the resource described by this metadata document. Please refer to the Belgian official gazette (\"Moniteur belge/Belgisch Staatsblad\") for official reference information.

The Royal Decree of 22 May 2019 establishing a marine spatial plan defines 6 energy, cable and pipeline zones: Area 1 for renewable energy (Eastern zone) (Art. 8§1), Area 2 for renewable energy (Noordhinder North) (Art. 8§2), Area 3 for renewable energy (Noordhinder Zuid) (Art. 8§3), Area for renewable energy - zone 4 (Fairybank) (Art. 8§3), Modular offshore grid for transmission of energy (Art. 8§5), Pipelines and cables corridor (Art. 9§1). It replaces the 2014 Marine Spatial Plan, which is included for completeness. The Royal Decree of 20 March 2014 establishing a marine spatial plan defines in its Art. 9. five dredged material disposal sites (Dredged material disposal site S1, Art. 9 § 6.1°; Dredged material disposal site S2, Art. 9 § 6.2°; Dredged material disposal site Bruggen en Wegen Oostende, Art. 9 § 6.3°; Dredged material disposal site Bruggen en Wegen Zeebrugge Oost, Art. 9 § 6.4°; Dredged material disposal site Bruggen en Wegen Nieuwpoort, Art. 9 § 6.5°). These zones are made available digitally in the resource described by this metadata document. Please refer to the Belgian official gazette (\"Moniteur belge/Belgisch Staatsblad\") for official reference information.

This dataset is part of the 2018 Belgian submission for the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) linked to descriptor 8, criterion 1. This dataset is part of the 2018 Belgian submission for the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) linked to descriptor 8, criterion 1. This dataset contains the concentrations of priority substances (tributyltin, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs)) measured in the water column at three stations in the Belgian part of the North Sea between 2009 and 2014 (as reported in the frame of the WFD in 2016). In total, 45 different parameters are measured.

The Royal Decree of 22 May 2019 establishing a marine spatial plan defines 12 sand and gravel extraction zones: Sand and gravel exploitation sector 1a (Thorntonbank) (Art. 15§1), Sand and gravel exploitation sector 2br (Buiten Ratel) (Art. 15§1), Sand and gravel exploitation sector 2kb (Kwintebank) (Art. 15§1), Sand and gravel exploitation sector 2od (Oostdyck) (Art. 15§1), Sand and gravel exploitation sector 3a (Sierra Ventana) (Art. 15§1), Sand and gravel exploitation sector 3b (Sierra Ventana) (Art. 15§1), Sand and gravel exploitation sector 4a (Noordhinder) (Art. 15§1), Sand and gravel exploitation sector 4b (Oosthinder-noord) (Art. 15§1), Sand and gravel exploitation sector 4c (Oosthinder-zuid) (Art. 15§1), Sand and gravel exploitation sector 4d (Westhinder) (Art. 15§1), Sand and gravel exploitation sector 5 (Blighbank) (Art. 15§1), Zone for research of the potential of the exploration and exploitation of sand and gravel (Art. 15§4). It replaces the 2014 Marine Spatial Plan, which is included for completeness.. The Royal Decree of 20 March 2014 establishing a marine spatial plan defines in its Art. 11., eleven Management zones with regards to sand and gravel extraction: ten sand and gravel exploitation zones (Thorntonbank, Art. 11 § 1 Sector 1a, Kwintebank, Art. 11 § 1 Sector 2kb, Buiten Ratel, Art. 11 § 1 Sector 2br, Oostdyck, Art. 11 § 1 Sector 2od, Sierra Ventana, Art. 11 § 1 Sector 3a, Sierra Ventana, Art. 11 § 1 Sector 3b, Noord Hinder, Art. 11 § 1 Sector 4a, Oosthinder-noord, Art. 11 § 1 Sector 4b, Oosthinder-zuid, Art. 11 § 1 Sector 4c, Westhinder, Art. 11 § 1 Sector 4d) and one reference zone for monitoring impact of windmills and sand exploitation (Art. 11 § 3). These zones are made available digitally in the resource described by this metadata document. Please refer to the Belgian official gazette (\"Moniteur belge/Belgisch Staatsblad\") for official reference information.