DCSMM

Actualisation du programme de surveillance pour les eaux marines belges (Art. 11)

Coördination et rapportage par l'UGMM, IRSNB-DO Nature
Informations détaillées sur les programmes de surveillance et les stratégies de surveillance (aperçu par thème avec lien vers les programmes de surveillance correspondants):

Le rapport final

Monitoring strategies (overview per theme)

D1 Biodiversity - birds

Descriptor	D1 Biodiversity - birds
Monitoring Strategy Description	The monitoring focuses on yearly data collection of breeding bird numbers along the Belgian coast and standardized ship-based measurements of densities of focal seabirds at sea. The methodology to collect the at sea data and to assess the quality follow the protocol of European Seabirds at Sea Group (ESAS standards).
Related Targets	D1.T3 D1.T5
Related Measures	1 - Report on Environmental Impacts (REI) and Adapted Evaluation (AE) 2 - Definition targets to maintain MPAs. Development of the policy and management plans for the MPAs and their associated measures 3A - Zoning: Delimitation of a suitable area for the construction of wind farms 7A - Ban on high speed ship traffic and exercises with helicopters at less than 500 feet in the SPA-O1 and SPA-O2 from 1 December to 15 March 7B - Ban on marine sport competition in SPA-01 and SPA-02 7C - Ban of certain activities in the special protection areas: civil construction, industrial activities, and commercial and advertising company activities
Coverage GES Criteria	Adequate monitoring was in place in 2014
Coverage Targets	Adequate monitoring was in place in 2014
Coverage Measures	Adequate monitoring was in place in 2014
Gaps Plans	Monitoring of seabirds at sea does not follow a standardized trajectory, but rather depends on data input of ad-hoc studies (e.g. WinMon programme in relation to monitoring the effects of offshore windfarm developments).
Monitoring Programmes

D1 Biodiversity - fish

Descriptor	D1 Biodiversity - fish
Monitoring Strategy Description	The monitoring focuses on in situ data collection of biological data of species and habitats typical for demersal fisheries (mainly beam trawl) and has been approved by the EU under the Data Collection Framework. The methodology to collect the data and to assess the quality are coordinated and agreed on under the regional approach of the European Data Collection Framework (Regional Coordination Groups).
Related Targets	D1.T4
Related Measures	1 - Report on Environmental Impacts (REI) and Adapted Evaluation (AE) 8A - National ban on fishery ships > 70 GT within a 3 nautical miles area 8B - TAC and quota 8C - Minimum landing size 8D - Multiannual restoration and management plans for some stocks 8E - Inspection/follow-up/ monitoring of fisheries 8F - ICES supervises the quotas and the stock analysis 8G - Disappearance of discards (in the revised CFP) 8H - Verplicht streven naar MSY (in hernieuwd GVB) 8I - Multispecies-quota en -beheer (in hernieuwd GVB) 8J - Data collection framework + multiannual programmes for data collection 23A - Better coordination mechanism between the Flemish and Federal authority on fisheries 27A - Increased control of recreational fisheries 27B - Monitoring of the size of recreational fishing 27C - Supporting the discussion about simplification of the conversion of recreational fishermen into commercial fishermen 32 - Species-specific approach for sharks and rays
Coverage GES Criteria	Adequate monitoring was in place in 2014
Coverage Targets	Adequate monitoring was in place in 2014
Coverage Measures	Adequate monitoring was in place in 2014
Gaps Plans	Focus is put on demersal species and beam trawl fisheries; the other fleet segments are not selected for monitoring. The selection of the segments and species is according to rules & procedures established and agreed by the EU (and regionally coordinated).
Monitoring Programmes

D1 Biodiversity - mammals

Descriptor	D1 Biodiversity - mammals
Monitoring Strategy Description	The abundance and distribution of harbour porpoises is monitored using an internationally standardised methodology. Distribution feeds into information on possible effects of offshore construction and where needed and feasible, appropriate preventive or mitigative measures are taken. The cause of death of stranded marine mammals (including bycatch) is being investigated. There are only few Belgian fishing vessels using static gear, the types of net where bycatch mainly occurs, so on-board monitoring does not contribute significantly to the estimation of bycatch at population level (CFP – DCF). Fishermen are encouraged to report bycatch. Abundance of harbour seals at the more or less permanently used haul-out sites is monitored since 2019. Since no colonies are present in Belgian waters, this monitoring is not relevant for population size estimation but gives an indication of occurrence and suitability of resting places. Regional cooperation exists for the assessment of abundance and distribution of harbour porpoise (SCANS projects and SCANS-type national surveys) and seals (ICES database).
Related Targets	D1.T1 D1.T2
Related Measures	1 - Report on Environmental Impacts (REI) and Adapted Evaluation (AE) 2 - Definition targets to maintain MPAs. Development of the policy and management plans for the MPAs and their associated measures 3F - Follow-up during the construction and operation (hard substrates introduction, sub-marine noise, benthos, etc.) 11A - Ban on recreational fishing with tangled nets at sea (species protection RD 21/12/2001) 11B - Ban of gillnetting and beach tangled nets in the whole Flemish beach area 11C - Ban on fishing and by-catch of marine species, obligation to immediately release the animals still alive and unhurt and obligation of notification (law on marine environment) 22 - Fishing for litter 24 - Monitoring of compliance with the ban on recreational fishing with tangled nets on the beach 30 - Implementation of non-technical measures to limit the disturbance of marine mammals due to military activities 31 - Dialogue and raising awareness about the measures taken in the shipping sector in order to limit the underwater effects of noise on cetaceans
Coverage GES Criteria	Adequate monitoring was in place in 2014
Coverage Targets	Adequate monitoring was in place in 2014
Coverage Measures	Adequate monitoring was in place in 2014
Gaps Plans	International coordination is required to fully implement bycatch and abundance targets, given the mobility of marine mammals, their area of distribution and the surface of Belgian waters. Due to the very low number of Belgian vessels using static gear and/or logistic limitations for additional observers, bycatch monitoring onboard for this type of fisheries is not possible.
Monitoring Programmes

D1 Biodiversity – pelagic habitats

Descriptor	D1 Biodiversity – pelagic habitats
Monitoring Strategy Description	Plankton biomass and abundance, as well as general biogeochemical characteristics in the water column, are being monitored. In addition, plankton composition (with a varying level of identification) will be included in the monitoring. It is expected that these data will increase the knowledge of the functioning of the pelagic habitat.
Related Targets	D5.T1 D5.T2 D5.T3
Related Measures	1 - Report on Environmental Impacts (REI) and Adapted Evaluation (AE)
Coverage GES Criteria	Adequate monitoring was in place by 2018
Coverage Targets	Adequate monitoring was in place by 2018
Coverage Measures	Adequate monitoring was in place by 2018
Gaps Plans	Indicators and targets need to be developed in a regional context. New technologies to improve the cost-effectiveness of monitoring need to be implemented and evaluated. Ecological models are needed to derive information on the good environmental status (and as such environmental targets) and information for the continuum of the Belgian Marine Waters. Budget requests for these developments are foreseen and thus dependent on budget availability and approval.
Monitoring Programmes

D2 Non-indigenous species

Descriptor	D2 Non-indigenous species
Monitoring Strategy Description	The monitoring is focused on the detection of new arrivals of non-indigenous species. Besides information resulting from systematic monitoring, observations of new NIS from projects or ad hoc sightings are included. The occurrence of new species is reported through the OSPAR COBAM NIS Expert Group.
Related Targets	D2.T1
Related Measures	1 - Report on Environmental Impacts (REI) and Adapted Evaluation (AE) 3B - Authorisation conditions: maximum limitation of the introduction of hard substrates 3F - Follow-up during the construction and operation (hard substrates introduction, sub-marine noise, benthos, etc.) 13 - Ban of the intentional (except in the case of an authorization) and unintentional introduction of non-indigenous species through ballast waters, regulated by the law of the 20/01/1999 and the RD of the 21/12/2001 14A - Measures against ship fouling (IMO directives)
Coverage GES Criteria	Adequate monitoring was in place in 2014
Coverage Targets	Adequate monitoring was in place in 2014
Coverage Measures	Adequate monitoring was in place in 2014
Gaps Plans	For plankton, the possibility to detect new NIS need to be evaluated. Meanwhile, observations of new NIS for the pelagic environment are mainly dependent on projects or ad hoc sightings.
Monitoring Programmes

D3 Commercial fish and shellfish

Descriptor	D3 Commercial fish and shellfish
Monitoring Strategy Description	The monitoring focuses on in situ data collection of biological data of species and habitats typical for demersal fisheries (mainly beam trawl) and has been approved by the EU under the Data Collection Framework. The methodology to collect the data and to assess the quality are coordinated on EU level under the regional approach of the European Collection Framework (Regional Coordination Groups).
Related Targets	D3.T1 D3.T2 D3.T3 D3.T4
Related Measures	1 - Report on Environmental Impacts (REI) and Adapted Evaluation (AE) 8A - National ban on fishery ships > 70 GT within a 3 nautical miles area 8B - TAC and quota 8D - Multiannual restoration and management plans for some stocks 8E - Inspection/follow-up/ monitoring of fisheries 8F - ICES supervises the quotas and the stock analysis 8G - Disappearance of discards (in the revised CFP) 8H - Verplicht streven naar MSY (in hernieuwd GVB) 8I - Multispecies-quota en -beheer (in hernieuwd GVB) 8J - Data collection framework + multiannual programmes for data collection 23A - Better coordination mechanism between the Flemish and Federal authority on fisheries 27A - Increased control of recreational fisheries 27B - Monitoring of the size of recreational fishing 27C - Supporting the discussion about simplification of the conversion of recreational fishermen into commercial fishermen 32 - Species-specific approach for sharks and rays
Coverage GES Criteria	Adequate monitoring was in place in 2014
Coverage Targets	Adequate monitoring was in place in 2014
Coverage Measures	Adequate monitoring was in place in 2014
Gaps Plans	Focus is put on demersal species and beam trawl fisheries, the other fleet segments are not selected for monitoring. The selection of the segments and species is according to rules & procedures established and agreed by the EU (and regionally coordinated).
Monitoring Programmes

D4 Food webs/D1 Biodiversity - ecosystems

Descriptor	D4 Food webs/D1 Biodiversity - ecosystems
Monitoring Strategy Description	Several existing monitoring programmes gather relevant information to feed the evaluation of ecosystem/food web health. This information will be integrated with the aim of assessing changes in the trophic composition of the marine food web. Depending on data availability and resources, all relevant ecosystem components will be included in an integrated analysis.
Related Measures	1 - Report on Environmental Impacts (REI) and Adapted Evaluation (AE) 2 - Definition targets to maintain MPAs. Development of the policy and management plans for the MPAs and their associated measures 3A - Zoning: Delimitation of a suitable area for the construction of wind farms 4A - Zoning: Delimitation of areas for extraction of sand 4B - Periodic closing of the extraction areas 4C - Authorisation conditions: maximum volume of extraction attributed 4D - Authorisation conditions: annual compensation/ allowance for follow-up activities (according to the material and the volume extracted) 4E - Follow-up and control of extraction activities 5A - Zoning: Delimitation of areas for the dumping of dredged materials 6C - Revision of extraction volumes (sand extraction) 6E - Limitation of fishing that impairs the seabed in the 'Vlaamse Banken' area (commercial and recreational fisheries); Follow-up of the seabed protection areas (used in the follow-up programme of the MSFD) 7A - Ban on high speed ship traffic and exercises with helicopters at less than 500 feet in the SPA-O1 and SPA-O2 from 1 December to 15 March 7B - Ban on marine sport competition in SPA-01 and SPA-02 7C - Ban of certain activities in the special protection areas: civil construction, industrial activities, and commercial and advertising company activities 8A - National ban on fishery ships > 70 GT within a 3 nautical miles area 8B - TAC and quota 8C - Minimum landing size 8D - Multiannual restoration and management plans for some stocks 8E - Inspection/follow-up/ monitoring of fisheries 8F - ICES supervises the quotas and the stock analysis 8G - Disappearance of discards (in the revised CFP) 8H - Verplicht streven naar MSY (in hernieuwd GVB) 8I - Multispecies-quota en -beheer (in hernieuwd GVB) 8J - Data collection framework + multiannual programmes for data collection 9 - Introduction of the SumWing technique, the diabolos (targeting and developing more selective techniques which have less impact on the seabed and which help to save energy), and raising awareness; supported by the Belgian operational programme and the national operational programme on fishing 23A - Better coordination mechanism between the Flemish and Federal authority on fisheries 25A - Ban on extraction of rock and gravel 25B - Test for the restoration of gravel beds 26C - Monitoring of the seabed protection areas 27A - Increased control of recreational fisheries 27B - Monitoring of the size of recreational fishing 27C - Supporting the discussion about simplification of the conversion of recreational fishermen into commercial fishermen 32 - Species-specific approach for sharks and rays
Coverage GES Criteria	Adequate monitoring was in place by 2018
Coverage Targets	Adequate monitoring was in place by 2018
Coverage Measures	Adequate monitoring was in place by 2018
Gaps Plans	Environmental targets and thresholds need to be elaborated in a regional context.
Monitoring Programmes

D5 Eutrophication

Descriptor	D5 Eutrophication
Monitoring Strategy Description	The monitoring focuses on the pressure, nutrient enrichment, and the biomass of phytoplankton supported by satellite data providing an increased temporal and spatial frequency of chlorophyll a compared to in situ data. Trends in nutrients as well as % of area with high chlorophyll a maxima allow to monitor progress and to compare the actual situation with projected model results. Due to strong tidal currents in the Belgian marine waters and a relatively small depth on average, the water column is considered permanently well-mixed, which induces a high turbidity in the water column and a constant re-aeration at the air-sea interface (see Belgische Staat, 2018). Therefore, contrary to other coastal systems, some criteria are not relevant for the evaluation of the eutrophication status in the Belgian marine waters. Methodology to produce satellite chlorophyll a-products was further developed and the quality has been assessed in a regional context during the project JMP-EUNOSAT.
Related Targets	D5.T1 D5.T2 D5.T3
Related Measures	1 - Report on Environmental Impacts (REI) and Adapted Evaluation (AE) 15 - Measures associated with the land (policies and Directives): Waste Directive, Water Framework Directive, Urban Wastewater Directive, Packaging Framework Directive, policy plan of the Flemish region, policy on waste from coastal municipalities 17 - Follow-up of the marine environment quality, national obligations within the scope of OSPAR (JAMP) 23B - Supporting relevant Belgian authorities for better implementation of the existing land-based measures (cf Fiche 15)
Coverage GES Criteria	Adequate monitoring was in place in 2014
Coverage Targets	Adequate monitoring was in place in 2014
Coverage Measures	Adequate monitoring was in place in 2014
Gaps Plans	No gaps.
Monitoring Programmes

D6 Sea-floor integrity/D1 Biodiversity - benthic habitats

Descriptor	D6 Sea-floor integrity/D1 Biodiversity - benthic habitats
Monitoring Strategy Description	Assessment of seafloor integrity is based on several monitoring programmes: (1) geographic analysis of data on all human activities affecting benthic habitats; (2) acoustic teledetection and ground truthing of changes in the extent and distribution of broad-scale habitats, with particular emphasis on gravel beds; (3) soft-sediment benthic sampling in the near-field of human activities; and (4) sampling and videography of strategically-selected natural hard-substrate benthos, based on the remote sensing. Yearly monitoring is foreseen, except for (2) which is done six yearly. The assessment aims to evaluate the status of the benthic biota with respect to the predominant pressures: e.g. sand extraction, disposal of dredged material, offshore wind farms and commercial fishing activities by bottom trawling. Trends in presence/absence of selected (morpho)species, richness, count, abundance and sediment parameters, as derived from the in-situ samples, provide the basis to monitor progress towards the targets specified within D6 Sea-floor integrity/D1 Biodiversity - Benthic Habitats.
Related Targets	D6.T1 D6.T2 D6.T3 D6.T4 D6.T5 D6.T6 D6.T7 D6.T8 D6.T9 D6.T10
Related Measures	1 - Report on Environmental Impacts (REI) and Adapted Evaluation (AE) 2 - Definition targets to maintain MPAs. Development of the policy and management plans for the MPAs and their associated measures 4A - Zoning: Delimitation of areas for extraction of sand 4B - Periodic closing of the extraction areas 4C - Authorisation conditions: maximum volume of extraction attributed 4D - Authorisation conditions: annual compensation/ allowance for follow-up activities (according to the material and the volume extracted) 4E - Follow-up and control of extraction activities 5A - Zoning: Delimitation of areas for the dumping of dredged materials 6C - Revision of extraction volumes (sand extraction) 6E - Limitation of fishing that impairs the seabed in the 'Vlaamse Banken' area (commercial and recreational fisheries); Follow-up of the seabed protection areas (used in the follow-up programme of the MSFD) 7C - Ban of certain activities in the special protection areas: civil construction, industrial activities, and commercial and advertising company activities 9 - Introduction of the SumWing technique, the diabolos (targeting and developing more selective techniques which have less impact on the seabed and which help to save energy), and raising awareness; supported by the Belgian operational programme and the national operational programme on fishing 25A - Ban on extraction of rock and gravel 25B - Test for the restoration of gravel beds 26C - Monitoring of the seabed protection areas
Coverage GES Criteria	Adequate monitoring was in place by 2018
Coverage Targets	Adequate monitoring was in place by 2018
Coverage Measures	Adequate monitoring was in place by 2018
Gaps Plans	Individual monitoring programmes will be further fine-tuned and integrated. Methodological progress is on-going in the acoustic monitoring of changes in substrate type and its relation with benthos status. Overall, linking changes in natural versus anthropogenic-induced stresses as well as quantification of far-field effects and cumulative impacts requires further research. These developments are being followed up.
Monitoring Programmes

D7 Hydrographical changes

Descriptor	D7 Hydrographical changes
Monitoring Strategy Description	The monitoring strategy aims at identifying as soon as possible the permanent hydrographic changes induced by the construction of new infrastructures at sea or on the coast and which are likely to modify the distribution of erosion and sedimentation zones in the Belgian part of the North Sea. It is based on numerical models validated with in-situ data (prior to construction) and the results of environmental monitoring programmes. The intensity of the permanent hydrographic changes will be compared with the threshold values defined in Populus et al. (2017) in order to estimate the potentially harmful nature of the changes in large-scale benthic habitats.
Related Targets	D7.T1 D7.T2
Related Measures	1 - Report on Environmental Impacts (REI) and Adapted Evaluation (AE)
Coverage GES Criteria	Adequate monitoring was in place by 2018
Coverage Targets	Adequate monitoring was in place by 2018
Coverage Measures	Adequate monitoring was in place by 2018
Gaps Plans	No gaps.
Monitoring Programmes

D8 Contaminants

Descriptor	D8 Contaminants
Monitoring Strategy Description	Since 1978, monitoring of pollutant concentrations (criterion 1) in sediment samples and biota (flounder, mussels, bird eggs) has been carried out in regional collaboration. Additional monitoring started in the frame of WFD, mainly focused on riverine waters, in 2008. The focus is put on the substances that tend to accumulate in sediment and biota. The effects (criterion 2) are monitored on the basis of birds and fish. The monitoring of effects of TBT, by the level of imposex, proved to be impossible (due to low abundance of target species) and ambiguous (due to presence of mutant species). Instead organotin in biota (see criterion 1) is monitored and evaluated vs environmental assessment criteria. Surveillance of acute pollution is considered under the Bonn agreement (criterion 3). For monitoring the effects of significant acute pollution, collaboration with OSPAR is needed. Belgium is task leader for discussing a common regional understanding and approach at Bonn Agreement and OSPAR level with respect to D8C4 on post-incident effect monitoring of significant acute pollution.
Related Targets	D8.T1 D8.T2 D8.T3 D8.T4 D8.T5 D8.T6 D8.T7 D8.T8
Related Measures	1 - Report on Environmental Impacts (REI) and Adapted Evaluation (AE) 3D - Authorisation conditions to prevent hydrocarbon pollution 5B - The dumping of dredged material at sea must meet the sediment quality criteria 6F - Increased shipping security by studying the possibilities for the routing system of additional ships (IMO), reassessment of Westpit2 and fix tug station 12 - Ban on shipping (including fisheries) within the wind farm areas 14B - Ban on the use of TBT (International convention of the IMO on the control of anti-fouling on ships, Directive 2002/62/EC, Regulation 782/2003) 15 - Measures associated with the land (policies and Directives): Waste Directive, Water Framework Directive, Urban Wastewater Directive, Packaging Framework Directive, policy plan of the Flemish region, policy on waste from coastal municipalities 17 - Follow-up of the marine environment quality, national obligations within the scope of OSPAR (JAMP) 18A - Measures within the scope of the national approach (fighting material, air control, satellite), MARPOL, OPRC, Bonn agreement, European mechanisms 18B - Prevention of shipping pollution (especially the tanker ships with a double wall) (as presented in MARPOL) 19A - Installation of port reception facilities(waste collection MARPOL Annex I and V) 19B - Waste management plans for harbours 26A - Stricter maintenance of the shipping ban in the wind farm areas (cf Fiche 12) 28A - Raising awareness about the prevention of dumping in the case of bunkering of fishing ships and yachting in harbours 29D - Supporting alternatives to fishing lead (Pb)
Coverage GES Criteria	Adequate monitoring was in place in 2014
Coverage Targets	Adequate monitoring was in place in 2014
Coverage Measures	Adequate monitoring was in place in 2014
Gaps Plans	A dialogue must be initiated between OSPAR & Bonn Agreement with respect to D8C4.
Monitoring Programmes

D9 Contaminants in seafood

Descriptor	D9 Contaminants in seafood
Monitoring Strategy Description	The monitoring consists of the control of the food chain based on risk assessment and executed in the frame of the EU Foodstuffs Regulation. Data collection is coordinated and data is delivered to EFSA (European Food Safety Authority).
Related Targets	D9.T1 D9.T2
Related Measures	1 - Report on Environmental Impacts (REI) and Adapted Evaluation (AE) 3D - Authorisation conditions to prevent hydrocarbon pollution 5B - The dumping of dredged material at sea must meet the sediment quality criteria 14B - Ban on the use of TBT (International convention of the IMO on the control of anti-fouling on ships, Directive 2002/62/EC, Regulation 782/2003) 15 - Measures associated with the land (policies and Directives): Waste Directive, Water Framework Directive, Urban Wastewater Directive, Packaging Framework Directive, policy plan of the Flemish region, policy on waste from coastal municipalities 17 - Follow-up of the marine environment quality, national obligations within the scope of OSPAR (JAMP) 18B - Prevention of shipping pollution (especially the tanker ships with a double wall) (as presented in MARPOL) 19A - Installation of port reception facilities(waste collection MARPOL Annex I and V) 19B - Waste management plans for harbours 28A - Raising awareness about the prevention of dumping in the case of bunkering of fishing ships and yachting in harbours 29D - Supporting alternatives to fishing lead (Pb) 20 - Legislation on fish and seafood; monitoring and follow-up by FASFC
Coverage GES Criteria	Adequate monitoring was in place in 2014
Coverage Targets	Adequate monitoring was in place in 2014
Coverage Measures	Adequate monitoring was in place in 2014
Gaps Plans	No gaps.
Monitoring Programmes

D10 Litter

Descriptor	D10 Litter
Monitoring Strategy Description	The amount of litter in the marine environment is monitored at the seafloor, in the stomach of Northern Fulmars and along the coastline, all in accordance with the OSPAR guidelines. Seafloor litter is collected during beam trawl surveys, while ingested litter is derived from the specimen collected during the beached seabird surveys. The registration of litter types contributes to the identification of the input sources. Evolution over time will show whether progress in achieving GES is made. However, due to changed conditions on the reference beach, a new location had to been chosen and a new time series will be started with regards to litter on the coastline. The suitability of this new beach - Nieuwpoort Lombardsijde - is currently being evaluated.
Related Targets	D10.T1 D10.T2 D10.T3 D10.T4
Related Measures	1 - Report on Environmental Impacts (REI) and Adapted Evaluation (AE) 15 - Measures associated with the land (policies and Directives): Waste Directive, Water Framework Directive, Urban Wastewater Directive, Packaging Framework Directive, policy plan of the Flemish region, policy on waste from coastal municipalities 16 - Land-related measures (raising awareness): awareness campaigns of the OVAM, Clean Beach actions 19A - Installation of port reception facilities(waste collection MARPOL Annex I and V) 19B - Waste management plans for harbours 21 - Monitoring of marine litter conference OSPAR (also considered within the follow-up programme of the MSFD) 22 - Fishing for litter 28B - Raising awareness about waste management in marinas 29A - Improving the system and regulation of waste release from fishing ships 29B - Studying and raising awareness about recycling, deposit, tagging of fishing nets 29C - Study and promotion of alternatives to 'dolly ropes'
Coverage GES Criteria	Adequate monitoring will be in place by 2024
Coverage Targets	Adequate monitoring was in place in 2014
Coverage Measures	Adequate monitoring was in place in 2014
Gaps Plans	A project is ongoing to establish a monitoring plan and methodological protocol for the amount of microlitter in the water column and seabed sediment. A baseline for micro-litter in water and sediment as well as in biota for the Belgian part of the North Sea, will become available. The elaboration of a monitoring programme that will gather knowledge on the composition, amount and geographical distribution of microplastics on the long term is needed. Budget request for this monitoring programme is foreseen, the programme is thus dependent upon budget availability and approval.
Monitoring Programmes

D11 Energy, including underwater noise

Descriptor	D11 Energy, including underwater noise
Monitoring Strategy Description	For impulsive noise, activities that are expected to generate high levels are subjected to an environmental assessment and are monitored. Effects on fish and marine mammals are assessed. Where impacts are expected, mitigatitive and/or preventive measures are imposed. Monitoring is dependent on the activities (there are currently no plans to build new wind farms before 2026, so no piling activities are expected for the period 2020-2026). At the level of OSPAR, an impulsive noise register exists that includes data on time, area and, if available, noise levels. For ambient noise, an international project (JOMOPANS) was initiated to establish a methodology and set a current baseline.
Related Targets	D11.T1 D11.T2
Related Measures	1 - Report on Environmental Impacts (REI) and Adapted Evaluation (AE) 3E - Authorisation conditions in the wind farms area to limit the level of underwater noise during construction 3F - Follow-up during the construction and operation (hard substrates introduction, sub-marine noise, benthos, etc.) 30 - Implementation of non-technical measures to limit the disturbance of marine mammals due to military activities 7A - Ban on high speed ship traffic and exercises with helicopters at less than 500 feet in the SPA-O1 and SPA-O2 from 1 December to 15 March 7B - Ban on marine sport competition in SPA-01 and SPA-02 31 - Dialogue and raising awareness about the measures taken in the shipping sector in order to limit the underwater effects of noise on cetaceans
Coverage GES Criteria	Adequate monitoring was in place by 2018
Coverage Targets	Adequate monitoring was in place by 2018
Coverage Measures	Adequate monitoring was in place by 2018
Gaps Plans	No gaps.
Monitoring Programmes

Monitoring programmes

ANSBE-P1-Birds-1-breeding-Breeding Seabirds in Belgium

Programme Code

ANSBE-P1-Birds-1-breeding

Programme Name

Breeding Seabirds in Belgium

Update Type

Modified from 2014

Programme Description

Since 1997 INBO counts the number of nesting gulls and terns at the major colonies along the Belgian coast. Furthermore, INBO collects data gathered by volunteers on the population development in other coastal breeding sites.
This research will render data for the environmental target "Changes in breeding seabird abundance remain within target limits for 75% of the species monitored, and will contribute in the assessment of this Ecological Quality Objective (EcoQO) for OSPAR region II (environmental target D1.5). Belgium cannot assess this target on its own. Belgium merely renders data that feeds into the wider assessment of the OSPAR EcoQO. The ICES WGSE could analyse the data and report annually to OSPAR on whether or not the EcoQO has been achieved (OSPAR 2012). (Former programme ANSBE-D1-4-Birds-SP1)

Other Policies Conventions

OSPAR Coordinated Environmental Monitoring Programme
Birds Directive

Regional Cooperation Coordination

OSPAR

Regional Cooperation Implementation

Agreed data collection methods

Temporal Scope

1997-9999

Spatial Scope

Terrestrial part of MS

Marine Reporting Unit

ANS-BE-MS-1

Monitoring Purpose

Environmental state and impacts

Monitoring Type

In-situ sampling land/beach

Monitoring Method Other

In the port of Zeebrugge all nests containing one or more eggs are counted. The data on other coastal breeding sites are (sometimes rough) estimates of the number of breeding pairs.

Quality Control

No Validation

Data Management

The data is transmitted annually via BMDC's Data Tracking System, which makes it publicly accessible via RBINS' metadata catalogue (http://metadata.naturalsciences.be).

Data Access

http://metadata.naturalsciences.be

Contact

Eric Stienen, Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO)

References

https://odnature.naturalsciences.be/msfd/monitoring/2020/#ANSBE-P1-Birds-1-breeding

Feature

Benthic-feeding birds

Element

Benthic-feeding birds (grouped)

GES Criteria

D1C3 Population demographic characteristics

Parameter	Breeding success

GES Criteria

D1C2 Population abundance

Parameter	Abundance (number of individuals) Biomass

Feature

Pelagic-feeding birds

Element

Pelagic-feeding birds (grouped)

GES Criteria

D1C3 Population demographic characteristics

Parameter	Breeding success

GES Criteria

D1C2 Population abundance

Parameter	Abundance (number of individuals) Biomass

Feature

Surface-feeding birds

Element

Surface-feeding birds (grouped)

GES Criteria

D1C3 Population demographic characteristics

Parameter	Breeding success

GES Criteria

D1C2 Population abundance

Parameter	Abundance (number of individuals) Biomass

Feature

Wading birds

Element

Wading birds (grouped)

GES Criteria

D1C3 Population demographic characteristics

Parameter	Breeding success

GES Criteria

D1C2 Population abundance

Parameter	Abundance (number of individuals) Biomass

Related Indicator

Related Indicator Code	ANS-ABU_BIRD2018
Related Indicator Name	Marine Bird Abundance
Related Indicator Code	OSPAR-BREED_SF_BIRD
Related Indicator Name	Marine Bird Breeding Success or Failure

ANSBE-P2-Birds-2-at-sea-Belgian Seabirds at Sea

Programme Code

ANSBE-P2-Birds-2-at-sea

Programme Name

Belgian Seabirds at Sea

Update Type

Modified from 2014

Programme Description

Since 1992 INBO conducts ship-based seabird counts following a standardized method for counting. Until present, the counts are performed from ships of opportunity or were part of specific research projects, so that no fixed monitoring routes or regular survey intervals were followed. The current monitoring to study the effects of offshore wind farms (WinMon) follows a sound research setup (2005-present), but does not cover the entire BDNZ. The WinMon counts, reference counts, and counts during the trajectory from the coast to the wind farms and back will be used to evaluate environmental target D1.3. (Former programme ANSBE-Birds-2-at sea)

Other Policies Conventions

OSPAR Coordinated Environmental Monitoring Programme
Monitoring programme targeting at national legislation
Birds Directive

Regional Cooperation Coordination

OSPAR

Regional Cooperation Implementation

Coordinated data collection

Temporal Scope

2005-9999

Spatial Scope

Coastal waters (WFD)
Territorial waters
EEZ (or similar)

Marine Reporting Unit

ANS-BE-MS-1

Monitoring Purpose

Environmental state and impacts
Pressures in the marine environment

Monitoring Type

In-situ sampling coastal
In-situ sampling offshore

Monitoring Details

Not relevant

Monitoring Method Other

Tasker et al. (1984), Protocol European Seabirds at Sea (ESAS)

Quality Control

DelayedValidation

Data Management

The data is transmitted annually via BMDC's Data Tracking System, which makes it publicly accessible via RBINS' metadata catalogue (http://metadata.naturalsciences.be).

Data Access

http://metadata.naturalsciences.be

Contact

Eric Stienen, Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO)

References

https://odnature.naturalsciences.be/msfd/monitoring/2020/#ANSBE-P2-Birds-2-at-sea

Feature

Benthic-feeding birds

Element

Benthic-feeding birds (grouped)

GES Criteria

D1C2 Population abundance

Parameter	Abundance (number of individuals)

Feature

Pelagic-feeding birds

Element

Pelagic-feeding birds (grouped)

GES Criteria

D1C2 Population abundance

Parameter	Abundance (number of individuals)

Feature

Surface-feeding birds

Element

Surface-feeding birds (grouped)

GES Criteria

D1C2 Population abundance

Parameter	Abundance (number of individuals)

Feature

Wading birds

Element

Wading birds (grouped)

GES Criteria

D1C2 Population abundance

Parameter	Abundance (number of individuals)

Related Indicator

Related Indicator Code	ANS-ABU_BIRD2018
Related Indicator Name	Marine Bird Abundance

ANSBE-P3-Fish-1-population-Fish - scientific surveys - Common Fisheries Policy

Programme Code

ANSBE-P3-Fish-1-population

Programme Name

Fish - scientific surveys - Common Fisheries Policy

Update Type

Modified from 2014

Programme Description

Two types of data are collected:
1. North Sea Beam Trawl Survey (BTS)
The Belgian offshore beam trawl survey with RV Belgica, collecting fisheries-independent data primarily for plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) and sole (Solea solea) in the North Sea (area IVb,c), started in 1992. The continuous time-series using a 4m-beam trawl as standard gear, started in 1993. The main objectives of the BTS are:
•	creation of fisheries-independent stock estimates for plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) and sole (Solea solea) in the sampled area
•	collection of data on all fish species for ecosystem purposes
•	collection of data on epibenthos species for ecosystem purposes

2. Demersal Young Fish Survey (DYFS)
As part of the international Demersal Young Fish and Brown Shrimp Survey, an annual autumn (quarter 3) DYFS survey is carried out with RV Simon Stevin in the Belgian coastal waters by ILVO.
The main objective of the DYFS is to collect data on the abundance and distribution of juvenile flatfish (primarily plaice and sole) and brown shrimp (Crangon crangon).

Fish survey information needs to be collected in a standardized and fishery-independent way, to serve as input data when running models to make prognoses for the fishing opportunities in the following years and calculating the fishing quota. Since 1973, 33 fixed sampling stations have been fished in this way on an annual basis by ILVO, with a geographical match of the sampling stations with the main flatfish and brown shrimp nursery grounds along the Belgian coast. Following the Data Collection Framework (DCF), the DYFS is also an ecosystem survey.

Belgium (ILVO) has been actively participating in the ICES Working Group on Beam Trawl Surveys (WGBEAM), where inshore (DYFS) and offshore (BTS) beam trawl surveys are coordinated and further standardisation is aimed for. For the North Sea, only the survey indices of the four countries listed are used in WGBEAM.
This programme contributes to the environmental targets D3.1, D3.2, D3.3 and D1.4. (Former programme ANSBE-D1-4-Fish-SP3)

Other Policies Conventions

</td>
                                    </tr>
                                    <tr>
                                        <td><label>Regional Cooperation Coordination</label></td>
                                        <td><span class="form-control" readonly="readonly">Other</span></td>
                                    </tr>
                                    <tr>
                                        <td><label>Regional Cooperation Countries</label></td>
                                        <td><textarea class="form-control" readonly="readonly">Belgium
Netherlands
Germany
United Kingdom

Regional Cooperation Implementation

Coordinated data collection

Temporal Scope

1973-9999

Spatial Scope

Coastal waters (WFD)
Territorial waters
EEZ (or similar)
Beyond MS Marine Waters

Marine Reporting Unit

L2.2.5

Monitoring Purpose

Environmental state and impacts

Monitoring Type

In-situ sampling offshore
In-situ sampling coastal

Monitoring Details

1. BTS
During the BTS 62 fixed stations are fished for 30 min at 4 knots using a beam trawl as standard gear (beam length 4 m, cod-end mesh size 40 mm). Although the target species are plaice and sole, all fish and commercially important cephalopods and crustaceans are sorted, weighed and measured since 2010. Since 2009, a subsample of the catch is taken of which all epibenthic species are recorded in numbers and sample weight.

The data collected during the BTS are used in analytical population studies of several species/stocks, mainly serving as tuning indices in the stock assessments leading to the fishing quota. Additionally, several other investigations are planned, such as (a) the construction of "age-length-keys" for a number of commercially important flatfish, and (b) documenting distribution and abundance of all commercial and non-commercial (bycatch) invertebrate species.
2. DYFS
All 33 DYFS sampling stations are fished for approximately 30 min, with a standard shrimp beam trawl (beam length 6 m; cod-end mesh size 22 mm, no tickler chains), at 3 knots against tide. Several fish species (cod, whiting, plaice, flounder, dab, sole, brill and turbot) are hand-picked from the catches, sorted by species, weighed and measured in mm (by the in-house developed SmartFish measuring board). From 2009 onwards, the species list was extended to cover a larger range of commercial fish species (e.g. including lesser spotted dogfish, gurnards, lemon sole, horse mackerel, etc.). In this way, a total of 18 species are documented. From 2018 onwards, the species list has been extended with all elasmobranch species that are weighed and measured (by sex). The brown shrimp from the catches are first sorted into a ‘small’ and ‘large’ fraction by means of a rotating shrimp riddle (same type used on commercial shrimp trawlers). From each of these two fractions, 1-2 liter samples are taken (depending on the amount of shrimp and other organisms in the fractions). Samples are further sub-sampled in the lab to approximately 250 shrimps, which are then measured in mm using an in-house developed system.

Monitoring Method Other

Manual for the offshore Beam Trawl Surveys (Sisp-14)
The North Sea Beam Trawl survey (BTS) methods are described in the Manual for the Offshore Beam Trawl Surveys (ICES. 2019. Manual for the Offshore Beam Trawl Surveys, Version 3.4, April 2019, Working Group on Beam Trawl Surveys. 54pp. http://doi.org/10.17895/ices.pub.5353). The methods for the Demersal Young Fish Survey (DYFS) are not yet available. During the WGBEAM meeting in 2015, a draft manual of this inshore survey was initiated and discussed. The working group aims to finalise the manual during WGBEAM meetings in the period 2020-2022.

Quality Control

ISO17025
A national developed quality control standard (during and after the survey).

Data Management

Indices of the abundance and biomass of adult flatfishes (mainly plaice and sole) are calculated by means of stratified tows in the southern and central North Sea. The results are incorporated in the survey database DATRAS, the databases of trawl surveys of ICES (www.datras.ices.dk).
Currently, all Belgian survey data are stored at ILVO. The most recent data is stored in the national database of Smartfish. The data is expected to be uploaded to DATRAS on a yearly basis. The Belgian BTS data (2004-2019) and DYFS data (2011-2019) are already available in DATRAS. The historical DYFS- data (prior to 2011) and BTS data (1992-2003) are being prepared for uploading to DATRAS.
Latest reports can be found on the website of WGBEAM (https://www.ices.dk/community/groups/Pages/WGBEAM.aspx), and in the case of the BTS on the RV BELGICA website ( https://odnature.naturalsciences.be/belgica/nl/campaign/1712) or for the DYFS on the MIDAS website (http://www.vliz.be/vmdcdata/midas/cruise.php?selectedcamp=103&showcamp=1).

Data Access

https://www.ices.dk/marine-data/data-portals/Pages/DATRAS.aspx

Contact

Els Torreele, Institute for Agriculture, Fishery and Food research (ILVO)

References

https://odnature.naturalsciences.be/msfd/monitoring/2020/#ANSBE-P3-Fish-1-population

Feature

Demersal shelf fish

Element

Demersal fish community

GES Criteria

D1C2 Population abundance

Parameter	Biomass Other Abundance (number of individuals)
Parameter Other	species composition

GES Criteria

D1C3 Population demographic characteristics

Parameter	Age distribution Length Sex distribution

Feature

Commercially exploited fish and shellfish

Element

Demersal fish community

GES Criteria

D3C2 Spawning stock biomass (SSB)

Parameter	Biomass of Spawning Stock (SSB) Abundance (number of individuals)

GES Criteria

D3C3 Population age/size distribution

Parameter	Size distribution Length

Related Indicator

Related Indicator Code	rjc_2018
Related Indicator Name	Thornback ray (Raja clavata) in Southern North Sea (ICES area Ivb and Ivc)
Related Indicator Code	ple.27.420
Related Indicator Name	Plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) in Subarea 4 (North Sea) and Subdivision 20 (Skagerrak)
Related Indicator Code	sol.27.4
Related Indicator Name	Sole (Solea solea) in Subarea 4 (North Sea)
Related Indicator Code	tur.27.4
Related Indicator Name	Turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) in Subarea 4 (North Sea)
Related Indicator Code	whg.27.47d
Related Indicator Name	Whiting (Merlangius merlangus) in Subarea 4 and Division 7.d (North Sea and eastern English Channel)
Related Indicator Code	bll.27.3a47de
Related Indicator Name	Brill (Scophthalmus rhombus) in Subarea 4 and Divisions 3.a and 7.de (North Sea, Skagerrak and Kattegat, English Channel)
Related Indicator Code	cod.27.47d20
Related Indicator Name	Cod (Gadus morhua) in Subarea 4 and Divisions 7.d and 20 (North Sea, eastern English Channel, Skagerrak)
Related Indicator Code	dab.27.3a4
Related Indicator Name	Dab (Limanda limanda) in Subarea 4 and Division 3.a (North Sea, Skagerrak and Kattegat)
Related Indicator Code	fle.27.3a4
Related Indicator Name	Flounder (Platichthys flesus) in Subarea 4 and Division 3.a (North Sea, Skagerrak and Kattegat)
Related Indicator Code	lem.27.3a47d
Related Indicator Name	Lemon sole (Microstomus kitt) in Subarea 4 and Divisions 3.a and 7.d (North Sea, Skagerrak and Kattegat, eastern English Channel)

ANSBE-P4-Mammals-Mammals – population abundance & strandings

Programme Code

ANSBE-P4-Mammals

Programme Name

Mammals – population abundance & strandings

Update Type

Modified from 2014

Programme Description

The programme combines data from different sources to estimate trends in bycatch. It uses data from:
- The assessment of the cause of death of stranded animals (seals and cetaceans);
- Reported incidental catches;
- Average number of harbour porpoises present in Belgian waters throughout the year estimated on the basis of aerial surveys;
- Use of rest areas along the coast by seals.

This programme contributes to environmental targets D1.1 and D1.2. (Former programme ANSBE-D1-4-Mammals-SP4)

Other Policies Conventions

OSPAR Coordinated Environmental Monitoring Programme
Habitats Directive

Regional Cooperation Coordination

OSPAR

Regional Cooperation Implementation

Joint data collection

Temporal Scope

1995-9999

Spatial Scope

Territorial waters
EEZ (or similar)
Coastal waters (WFD)

Marine Reporting Unit

ANS-BE-MS-1

Monitoring Purpose

Environmental state and impacts
Pressures in the marine environment
Effectiveness of measures

Monitoring Type

Other
Remote surveillance

Monitoring Details

Marine mammal general:
- Strandings investigation (a.o. for cause of death)
(cooperation in the preparation of an international database on strandings in the North Sea basin)

Harbour porpoise:
- Aerial surveys for the determination of distribution, abundance and effects of human activities (since 2008)
(cooperation to collate data with those of other countries for an assessment on a wider scale; this is possible as the same methodology is used)
- Decadal survey to determine the distribution and numbers in a wider area (SCANS I – II - III)

Seals:
- Abundance estimate at only regularly used haul-out site – contribution to ICES seal database

Frequency: weekly till 6-monthly.

Note: the list of species below is not exhaustive.

Monitoring Method Other

- Aerial surveys: line transect distance methodology (cfr. SCANS)
- Necropsies performed using well established protocols

Quality Control

Unknown

Data Management

The data is registered in ICES' seal database and transmitted annually via BMDC's Data Tracking System, which makes it publicly accessible via RBINS' metadata catalogue (http://metadata.naturalsciences.be).

Data Access

http://www.marinemammals.be

Contact

Jan Haelters, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Science (RBINS)

References

https://odnature.naturalsciences.be/msfd/monitoring/2020/#ANSBE-P4-Mammals

Feature

Small toothed cetaceans

Element

Phocoena phocoena

GES Criteria

D1C1 Mortality rate from incidental by-catch

Parameter	Mortality (weight/volume; number of individuals) Mortality rate

GES Criteria

D1C2 Population abundance

Parameter	Abundance (number of individuals)

Feature

Seals

Element

Phoca vitulina

GES Criteria

D1C2 Population abundance

Parameter	Abundance (number of individuals)

Element

Halichoerus grypus

GES Criteria

D1C2 Population abundance

Parameter	Abundance (number of individuals)

Related Indicator

Related Indicator Code	OSPAR-BYCATCH_HP
Related Indicator Name	Harbour Porpoise Bycatch

ANSBE-P5-Seabed-physical-Seafloor Integrity - Pressures, Physical loss and disturbance of seabed habitats

Programme Code

ANSBE-P5-Seabed-physical

Programme Name

Seafloor Integrity - Pressures, Physical loss and disturbance of seabed habitats

Update Type

Modified from 2014

Programme Description

Physical changes of the seabed environment are assessed based on:
a. Geographic analysis of all human activities contributing to physical loss and disturbance of seabed habitats.
b. Acoustic remote sensing and ground truthing to evaluate changes in the spatial extent and distribution of the EUNIS level 2 habitats (mud, sand, and coarse-grained sediments), as well as gravel beds. Monitoring should allow assessing whether the spatial extent of these habitats fluctuates - relative to the reference state as described in Initial Assessment - within a margin limited to the accuracy of the current distribution maps.
c. Acoustic remote sensing and ground truthing to evaluate the ratio of the hard substrate surface area (i.e. surfaces that are colonized by hard substrate epifauna) over soft sediment surface area (i.e. surfaces overtopping hard substrates and preventing hard substrate fauna development). This should not show a negative trend.
International cooperation is on-going in the technical group TG Seabed (EU DG ENV).
This programme contributes to environmental targets D6.1, D6.2 and D6.3. (Former programme ANSBE-D1-4-6-Seabed-SP5)

Temporal Scope

2011-9999

Spatial Scope

Coastal waters (WFD)
Territorial waters
EEZ (or similar)

Marine Reporting Unit

ANS-BE-MS-1

Monitoring Purpose

Environmental state and impacts
Human activities causing the pressures
Pressures in the marine environment

Monitoring Type

Other

Monitoring Details

1) Monitoring approach:
a. Spatio-temporal analysis of human activity data (presence/absence), as obtained from the competent authorities, in a geographic information system (from 2011).
b. Risk-based monitoring approach combining multibeam bathymetry/backscatter and ground truthing, targeting detecting changes in the distribution and extent of broad-scale habitat types. Surveys are conducted along pre-defined transects and boxes (from 2015).
c. Full-coverage multibeam bathymetry/backscatter and ground truthing in two selected gravel zones (from 2014).
2) Proportion of geographic scope covered by sampling:
a. Belgian part of the North Sea (BPNS)
b. Belgian part of the North Sea, focusing on the extent and distribution of the benthic broad-scale habitat types
c. Two test zones in the gravel beds
3) Frequency of sampling:
a. Yearly follow-up of human activities
b. Six yearly
c. Yearly

More information about the treatment and analyses can be found in:
https://odnature.naturalsciences.be/downloads/msfd/assessments_2018/nl/d6_assessments_2018_nl.pdf en
https://odnature.naturalsciences.be/downloads/msfd/assessments_2018/nl/d6_annex_fysisch_verlies_en.pdf

Monitoring Method Other

a. Geographic analysis
b. Acoustic remote sensing (multibeam depth and backscatter), as well as ground truthing (samples and visual observations)
c. Idem as for (b)

References
• Kint, L., Montereale Gavazzi, G., Van Lancker, V., 2018. Kaderrichtlijn Mariene Strategie. Beschrijvend element 6: Zeebodemintegriteit. Ruimtelijke analyse fysisch verlies en fysische verstoring. Brussel, Koninklijk Belgisch Instituut voor Natuurwetenschappen, 40 p. URL: https://odnature.naturalsciences.be/downloads/msfd/assessments_2018/nl/d6_annex_fysisch_verlies_en_verstoring_2018_nl.pdf
• Montereale-Gavazzi, G., Roche, M., Lurton, X., Degrendele, K., Terseleer, N., & Van Lancker, V., 2018. Seafloor change detection using multibeam echosounder backscatter: case study on the Belgian part of the North Sea. Marine Geophysical Research, 39(1-2), 229-247.
•Montereale Gavazzi, G. (2019). Development of seafloor mapping strategies supporting integrated marine management: application of seafloor backscatter by multibeam echosounders. PhD Thesis. Ghent University, Faculty of Sciences: Gent. xxiii, 366 pp.
•Roche, M., Degrendele, K., Vrignaud, C., Loyer, S., Le Bas, T., Augustin, J. M., & Lurton, X., 2018. Control of the repeatability of high frequency multibeam echosounder backscatter by using natural reference areas. Marine Geophysical Research, 39(1-2), 89-104.
•Van Lancker, V., Kint, L., Montereale-Gavazzi, G., 2018. Fysische verstoring en verlies van de zeebodem (D6). In: Belgische Staat. Art. 17 Beoordeling voor de Belgische mariene wateren – Richtlijn 2008/59/EG. Kaderrichtlijn Mariene Strategie. BMM, Federale Overheidsdienst Volksgezondheid, Veiligheid van de Voedselketen en Leefmilieu, Brussel, België. URL
https://odnature.naturalsciences.be/downloads/msfd/assessments_2018/nl/d6_assessments_2018_nl.pdf

Quality Control

a. Detailed metadata are provided per human activity, as well as a quality factor.
b. and c. Depth recordings using multibeam technology are linked to precision positioning, making them accurate in place and space. RV Belgicas EM3002D multibeam echo sounder complies with the IHO S44 Special Order quality criteria. Under this IHO standard, the total vertical uncertainty of the depth measurements ± 0.26 m and ± 0.34 m in 10 m and 30 m water depths, respectively (within a confidence interval of ± 95%). There are yet no quality criteria for multibeam backscatter values, which means that data sets of different ships and/or different campaigns cannot be brought together in the original format. Therefore, a seabed classification is performed per dataset and afterwards the classifications are combined into one thematic datagrid. The accuracy of the classifications is evaluated by cross-validation between the predicted thematic maps and the sampling and visual observations. Samples are visually described using a protocol and subsamples are analysed with a laser diffractometer. The fraction above 3 mm (i.e. gravel and shell material) is visually divided into classes. Data are combined into three major sediment classes: mud, sand, and coarse sediments.

Data Management

a. Results of the geographic data analysis are stored in GIS files
b. and c. Once the methodology has been fully developed, the data and metadata will be made available to BMDC, which will make it publicly accessible via the RBINS metadata catalogue (http://metadata.naturalsciences.be).

Data Access

http://metadata.naturalsciences.be

Contact

Vera Van Lancker, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Science (RBINS)

References

https://odnature.naturalsciences.be/msfd/monitoring/2020/#ANSBE-P5-Seabed-physical

Feature

Benthic broad habitats

Element

Benthic habitats

GES Criteria

D6C3 Adverse effects from physical disturbance

Parameter	Extent

GES Criteria

D6C5 Benthic habitat condition

Parameter	Extent

Feature

Physical loss of the seabed

Element

Not Applicable

GES Criteria

D6C1 Physical loss of the seabed

Parameter	Extent

Feature

Physical disturbance to seabed

Element

Not Applicable

GES Criteria

D6C2 Physical disturbance to the seabed

Parameter	Extent

Related Indicator

Related Indicator Code	ANS-BE-DIST_HAB
Related Indicator Name	Habitats distribution and ratio hard/soft
Related Indicator Code	OSPAR-COND_BENT_HAB
Related Indicator Name	Condition of Benthic Habitat Communities: Subtidal Habitats of the Southern North Sea
Related Indicator Code	ANS-BE-PHYS2018
Related Indicator Name	Physical loss and disturbance of the seabed

ANSBE-P6-Benthos-1-soft-sediment-Benthic soft-sediment environmental impact monitoring programme

Programme Code

ANSBE-P6-Benthos-1-soft-sediment

Programme Name

Benthic soft-sediment environmental impact monitoring programme

Update Type

Modified from 2014

Programme Description

This programme covers the soft-sediment benthic monitoring by ILVO, in the framework of the environmental impact assessment of the dredge disposal sites and sand extraction areas in the Belgian part of the North Sea. More info at https://www.ilvo.vlaanderen.be/Aquaticenvironmentandquality/tabid/6502/language/en-US/Default.aspx#.Xh2wn8hKhaQ. This is a classical benthic monitoring, but in the meantime we are investigating certain innovative monitoring methods  (genetic, imagery). This innovation in monitoring will not replace the current one before 2024.

This programme is overarching the specific monitoring programmes outlined in 2014 (codes ANSBE-D1-4-6-SP6, SP7 and SP8) and covers the environmental targets BEQI (D6.4), long-living species D6.5), BPc (D6.6) and alien species (D2.1).

Other Policies Conventions

Habitats Directive
Invasive Alien Species Regulation
OSPAR Coordinated Environmental Monitoring Programme
Monitoring programme targeting at national legislation

Temporal Scope

1979-9999

Spatial Scope

Territorial waters
EEZ (or similar)
Coastal waters (WFD)

Marine Reporting Unit

ANS-BE-MS-1

Monitoring Purpose

Environmental state and impacts
Pressures in the marine environment

Monitoring Type

In-situ sampling offshore
In-situ sampling coastal

Monitoring Details

Benthos (animals retrieved on a 1mm sieve) is collected by a Van Veen grab at different locations and habitats within the Belgian part of the North Sea. The spatial and temporal distribution of those samples depends on the occurrence and intensity of human activities in different areas. The exact number of samples per year and area depends on which sand extraction and disposal area is visited (certain rotation system (3-yearly) + depending on where the activity is going on). Samples are also taken at control stations, locations outside the direct impact sphere of the activity. Besides, a few long-term monitoring locations are regularly sampled. Details of sampling records in the past and what is expected the coming years is given in annex. Monitoring is ongoing since 1979, but with a more standardized, comparable design from 2006 onwards.

International cooperation is currently limited to knowledge exchange within OSPAR COBAM, benthic expert group.

Monitoring Method Other

Sampling is done with a Van Veen grab (0.1m2) follows the ISO standard (ISO 16665:2014(E)) (Water quality - Guidelines for quantitative sampling and sample processing of marine soft-bottom macrofauna) for the sampling, processing and analyses. The laboratory procedure for analysing macrobenthic samples is since 24/05/2011 accredited under the BELAC ISO17025 norm (ILVO-DIER-ANIMALAB; CertificaatNr: BELAC T-315).

Quality Control

The laboratory procedure for analysing macrobenthic samples is since 24/05/2011 accredited under the BELAC ISO17025 norm (ILVO-DIER-ANIMALAB; CertificaatNr: BELAC T-315). The lab take also part in the benthos module of the NMBAQCS programme (www.nmbaqcs.org).

Data Management

Data is reported and archived in EuroOBIS and GBIF via EMODNET-Biology after each permit reporting period. The data is also transferred to BMDC, which makes it publicly accessible via the RBINS metadata catalogue (http://metadata.naturalsciences.be).

Data Access

http://metadata.naturalsciences.be

Contact

Gert Van Hoey, Institute for Agriculture, Fishery and Food research (ILVO)

References

https://odnature.naturalsciences.be/msfd/monitoring/2020/#ANSBE-P6-Benthos-1-soft-sediment

Feature

Benthic broad habitats

Element

Benthic habitats

GES Criteria

D6C3 Adverse effects from physical disturbance

Parameter	Extent Other
Parameter Other	species composition, biomass, abundance

GES Criteria

D6C5 Benthic habitat condition

Parameter	Extent Other
Parameter Other	species composition, biomass, abundance

Feature

Newly-introduced non-indigenous species

Element

Not Applicable

GES Criteria

D2C1 Newly-introduced NIS

Parameter	Presence

Related Indicator

Related Indicator Code	ANS-BE-BENTH2018
Related Indicator Name	Condition of Benthic Habitat Communities: Hard and soft substrates
Related Indicator Code	ANS-BE-NIS2018
Related Indicator Name	Newly introduced species
Related Indicator Code	OSPAR-COND_BENT_HAB
Related Indicator Name	Condition of Benthic Habitat Communities: Subtidal Habitats of the Southern North Sea

ANSBE-P7-Benthos-2-epi-fish-Epibenthos and demersal fish environmental impact monitoring programme

Programme Code

ANSBE-P7-Benthos-2-epi-fish

Programme Name

Epibenthos and demersal fish environmental impact monitoring programme

Update Type

Modified from 2014

Programme Description

This programme covers the monitoring of soft-sediment epibenthos and demersal fish by ILVO, in the frame of the environmental impact assessment of the dredge disposal sites and sand extraction areas in the Belgian part of the North Sea. More info at https://www.ilvo.vlaanderen.be/Aquaticenvironmentandquality/tabid/6502/language/en-US/Default.aspx#.Xh2wn8hKhaQ.

This programme covers the environmental targets for long-lived species (D6.6), non-indigenous species (D2.1) and fish diseases (D8.5).

Other Policies Conventions

OSPAR Coordinated Environmental Monitoring Programme
Monitoring programme targeting at national legislation
Habitats Directive
Invasive Alien Species Regulation

Temporal Scope

1985-9999

Spatial Scope

Territorial waters
EEZ (or similar)
Coastal waters (WFD)

Marine Reporting Unit

ANS-BE-MS-1

Monitoring Purpose

Environmental state and impacts
Pressures in the marine environment

Monitoring Type

In-situ sampling offshore
In-situ sampling coastal

Monitoring Details

The epibenthos and demersal fish are collected by 8m beam trawl with 22mm mesh at different locations and habitats within the Belgian part of the North Sea. The spatial and temporal distribution of those samples depends on the occurrence and intensity of human activities in different areas. The exact number of samples per year and area depends on which sand extraction and disposal area is visited (certain rotation system + depending on where the activity is going on). The windfarm area is sampled every year, but with variation in the specific concession areas sampled. In addition, a number of long-term monitoring stations are sampled on a regular basis.
The epibenthos and demersal fish are determined to species level, counted and weighted (not fish) or length measured (fish). The dab (Limanda limanda) in the tracks (up to a maximum of 500 individuals for respectively the coastal and offshore assessment area) are investigated for external fish diseases, following the ICES TIMES guidelines.
This programme is covering the environmental targets long-living species (D6.6), alien species (D2.1) and fish diseases (D8.5). From 2006 onwards, monitoring is executed following a more standardized, comparable design.

Monitoring Method Other

Epibenthos and demersal fish is sampled by a 8m beam trawl - the protocol outlined in the ICES Guidelines for the study of the epibenthos of subtidal environments, No. 42, Febr 2009 is followed.
Fish Diseases: http://info.ices.dk/pubs/times/times19/TIMES19.pdf

Quality Control

Unknown

Data Management

Data is reported and archived in EuroOBIS and GBIF via EMODNET-Biology after each permit reporting period. The data is also transferred to BMDC, which makes it publicly accessible via the RBINS metadata catalogue (http://metadata.naturalsciences.be).

Data Access

http://metadata.naturalsciences.be

Contact

Gert Van Hoey, Institute for Agriculture, Fishery and Food research (ILVO)

References

https://odnature.naturalsciences.be/msfd/monitoring/2020/#ANSBE-P7-Benthos-2-epi-fish

Feature

Benthic broad habitats

Element

Benthic habitats

GES Criteria

D6C3 Adverse effects from physical disturbance

Parameter	Extent Other
Parameter Other	species composition, abundance, biomass

GES Criteria

D6C5 Benthic habitat condition

Parameter	Extent Other
Parameter Other	species composition, abundance, biomass

Feature

Demersal shelf fish

Element

Limanda limanda

GES Criteria

D8C2 Adverse effects of contaminants

Parameter	Other
Parameter Other	Fish Disease Index

Feature

Newly-introduced non-indigenous species

Element

Not Applicable

GES Criteria

D2C1 Newly-introduced NIS

Parameter	Presence

Related Indicator

Related Indicator Code	ANS-BE-BENTH2018
Related Indicator Name	Condition of Benthic Habitat Communities: Hard and soft substrates
Related Indicator Code	ANS-BE-NIS2018
Related Indicator Name	Newly introduced species
Related Indicator Code	ANS-BE-FISH_DISEASES2018
Related Indicator Name	Occurance of fish diseases

ANSBE-P8-Benthos-3-windfarm-Macrobenthos monitoring windfarm

Programme Code

ANSBE-P8-Benthos-3-windfarm

Programme Name

Macrobenthos monitoring windfarm

Update Type

New programme

Programme Description

Offshore Windfarm macrobenthos and sediment monitoring programme of the Marine Biology Research Group at Ghent University.

This programme contributes to the environmental targets D6.4, D6.5 and D2.1.

Other Policies Conventions

Habitats Directive
Invasive Alien Species Regulation
OSPAR Coordinated Environmental Monitoring Programme
Monitoring programme targeting at national legislation

Temporal Scope

2005-9999

Spatial Scope

Territorial waters
EEZ (or similar)

Marine Reporting Unit

ANS-BE-MS-1

Monitoring Purpose

Pressures in the marine environment
Environmental state and impacts

Monitoring Type

In-situ sampling offshore

Monitoring Details

The macrobenthos (animals retrieved on a 1mm sieve) are collected by a Van Veen grab at different locations and habitats within the OWFs C-Power and Belwind at the Belgian Part of the North Sea. These samples are compared to reference areas close to the studied OWFs. From each Van Veen grab, a sediment sample is retrieved for benthic habitat characterization (granulometric measurements: median grain size (µm) and fine sediment fraction (% within 125-250 µm); total organic matter content (%)).
Frequency: from T0 (before construction) onwards, yearly except when windfarm in construction phase.
Since 2005 onwards in C-Power (Thornton bank and Goote Bank); since 2008 onwards in Belwind (Bligh Bank), mainly in autumn, with different sampling schemes.

Monitoring Method Other

Sampling is done with a Van Veen grab (0.1m²) following the ISO standard (ISO 16665:2014(E)) (Water quality - Guidelines for quantitative sampling and sample processing of marine soft-bottom macrofauna) for the sampling, processing and analyses.

Quality Control

Reference collections are used and experts are consulted if necessary.

Data Management

The data is transmitted via BMDC's Data Tracking System, which makes it publicly accessible via RBINS' metadata catalogue (http://metadata.naturalsciences.be).

Data Access

http://metadata.naturalsciences.be

Contact

Ulrike Braeckman, Tom Moens, Marine Biology Research Group, Ghent University

References

https://odnature.naturalsciences.be/msfd/monitoring/2020/#ANSBE-P8-Benthos-3-windfarm

Feature

Benthic broad habitats

Element

Infralittoral coarse sediment

GES Criteria

D6C3 Adverse effects from physical disturbance

Parameter	Extent Other
Parameter Other	species composition, abundance, biomass

Element

Infralittoral sand

GES Criteria

D6C5 Benthic habitat condition

Parameter	Extent Other
Parameter Other	species composition, abundance, biomass

Feature

Newly-introduced non-indigenous species

Element

Not Applicable

GES Criteria

D2C1 Newly-introduced NIS

Parameter	Presence

Related Indicator

Related Indicator Code	ANS-BE-BENTH2018
Related Indicator Name	Condition of Benthic Habitat Communities: Hard and soft substrates
Related Indicator Code	ANS-BE-NIS2018
Related Indicator Name	Newly introduced species

ANSBE-P9-Benthos-4-hard-substrate-Hard substrate benthos - community characteristics

Programme Code

ANSBE-P9-Benthos-4-hard-substrate

Programme Name

Hard substrate benthos - community characteristics

Update Type

Modified from 2014

Programme Description

Periodic collection of environmental spatial data (by means of remote sensing) and sedimentological and biological data based on site verification (by direct physical sampling) at selected locations, deemed representative of broader areas.

This programme contributes to environmental objectives D6.7, D6.8, D6.9 and D6.10.

Other Policies Conventions

OSPAR Coordinated Environmental Monitoring Programme

Temporal Scope

2015-9999

Spatial Scope

Territorial waters
EEZ (or similar)

Marine Reporting Unit

ANS-BE-MS-1

Monitoring Purpose

Environmental state and impacts

Monitoring Type

In-situ sampling offshore
Remote surveillance

Monitoring Details

The monitoring consists of a periodic assessment of benthic communities at fixed locations. Four stations have been designated in the Northern Exploration Area (area overlapping with area designated for the exploration of the potential of marine aggregate extraction and for the protection of the seabed in Marine Spatial Plan 2020-2026).  A transect station will be established in the Hinderbanken. Sampling is implemented by Hammon grab and underwater videography.
In-situ samples are stored and processed at RBINS facilities (Oostende) according to in-house protocols of faunal analysis. Tabulation of species data (count, abundance and richness).
Underwater videography: stored and processed at RBINS (Brussels) according to currently developing methodologies w.r.t. semi-automated image classification and feature extraction.

Monitoring Method Other

Community analysis from Hammon grab samples. Semi-automated image-analysis from underwater still frames and videos for the detection of bio-encrusting and flourishing epibenthos.
Characterization of morpho-species.

Quality Control

Collection of replicate samples for Hammon grabs.

Data Management

The data is transmitted via BMDC's Data Tracking System, which makes it publicly accessible via RBINS' metadata catalogue (http://metadata.naturalsciences.be).

Data Access

http://metadata.naturalsciences.be

Contact

Giacomo Montereale Gavazzi, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Science (RBINS)

References

https://odnature.naturalsciences.be/msfd/monitoring/2020/#ANSBE-P9-Benthos-4-hard-substrate

Feature

Benthic broad habitats

Element

Offshore circalittoral coarse sediment

GES Criteria

D6C3 Adverse effects from physical disturbance

Parameter	Other
Parameter Other	Abundance of species, size

GES Criteria

D6C5 Benthic habitat condition

Parameter	Other
Parameter Other	Abundance of species, size

Related Indicator

Related Indicator Code	ANS-BE-BENTH2018
Related Indicator Name	Condition of Benthic Habitat Communities: Hard and soft substrates

ANSBE-P10-NIS-Non-indigenous species on hard substrates

Programme Code

ANSBE-P10-NIS

Programme Name

Non-indigenous species on hard substrates

Update Type

Modified from 2014

Programme Description

On a regular base the Belgian marine waters will be searched for the presence of non-indigenous species introduced through human activities. As such species are more likely to occur on man-made structures, these will be targeted in particular.
This programme contributes to environmental target D2.1. (Former programme ANSBE-D2-NIS-SP11)

Other Policies Conventions

Monitoring programme targeting at national legislation
OSPAR Coordinated Environmental Monitoring Programme

Regional Cooperation Coordination

OSPAR

Temporal Scope

2015-9999

Spatial Scope

Coastal waters (WFD)
Territorial waters
EEZ (or similar)

Marine Reporting Unit

ANS-BE-MS-1

Monitoring Purpose

Environmental state and impacts
Pressures in the marine environment

Monitoring Type

In-situ sampling coastal
In-situ sampling land/beach
In-situ sampling offshore

Monitoring Details

On artificial hard substrates approximately 50 samples are taken in selected habitats such as groynes, buoys, wind turbines, measuring piles and other offshore artificial structure such as artificial islands, artificial reefs (reef balls) as they are becoming available.
Windmill data: species lists occurrence, density, extensive list.
Buoy data, groynes and other artificial hard substrates: species lists with occurrence, ad hoc, info on substrates.

Monitoring Method Other

(Artificial) Hard substrates: scrape samples following a standardised procedure and sampling in selected habitats.
The methodology will follow the most traditional and standardized methods for sampling hard subtidal habitats as described e.g. in  NBN and ISO standards, in particular: NBN EN ISO 5667-1, ISO 16665:2005 ISO 19493:2007 and the Marine Monitoring procedures described in the handbook of the JNCC (Davies et al, 2001).

Quality Control

Unknown

Data Management

The data is transmitted annually via BMDC's Data Tracking System, which makes it publicly accessible via RBINS' metadata catalogue (http://metadata.naturalsciences.be).

Data Access

http://metadata.naturalsciences.be

Contact

Francis Kerckhof, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Science (RBINS)

References

https://odnature.naturalsciences.be/msfd/monitoring/2020/#ANSBE-P10-NIS

Feature

Newly-introduced non-indigenous species

Element

Not Applicable

GES Criteria

D2C1 Newly-introduced NIS

Parameter	Presence

Related Indicator

Related Indicator Code	ANS-BE-NIS2018
Related Indicator Name	Newly introduced species

ANSBE-P11-Fish-2-commercial-Fisheries-dependent observer-at-sea programme - Common Fisheries Policy

Programme Code

ANSBE-P11-Fish-2-commercial

Programme Name

Fisheries-dependent observer-at-sea programme - Common Fisheries Policy

Update Type

Modified from 2014

Programme Description

Fisheries Observer Programme:
On commercial vessels, a sea-going observer collects data on species, numbers, length and weight of the caught fish. Samples are brought to the lab for individual analysis of length, weight, sex, maturity and age. The observer also documents recordings of certain bycatch species (protected fish, birds, turtles or mammals).
Based on the selection criteria described by the Data Collection Framework (DCF), and considering the importance of the Belgian beam trawl fleet targeting demersal species (TBB_DEF), Belgium focusses on the collection of fishery-dependent data for this fleet (both fleet segments TBB_DEF_>221 kW and TBB_DEF_<=221 kW coastal vessels and euro cutters). For the beam trawl targeting crustaceans (TBB_CRU), representing 5% of the landings, Belgium has obtained a derogation in area IV (North Sea) and VIId (Eastern English Channel). For the bottom otter trawls (OTB) in VIIfg (Celtic Sea and Bristol Channel), Belgium also obtained a derogation. Thus, both are not included in the monitoring programme. Setting up discard sampling programmes for this fishery is disproportionate compared to the added value to the international data collection. Moreover, it is of limited importance to the Belgian fisheries (8% of landings).
The remaining fisheries such as Scottish seine (SSC), Boat dredge (DRB), trammel nets (GTR) and gill nets (GNS) were also not included because 1) they comprise less than 10% of the landings; 2) the number of vessels within these fleets is often too small to guarantee privacy of the collected data and/or 3) there is no space for taking observers on board.

The two fleet segments (TBB_DEF_>221 kW and TBB_DEF_<=221 kW) are treated as two separate strata in the Belgian at sea sampling programme. Catch information (landings and discards are covered) is obtained through on-board observation. Four ILVO observers assure a sampling coverage of on average 1% of all fishing hours (approximately 40 trips on an annual basis). The sampling effort targets for one year are set at 8 trips for the TBB_DEF_<=221 kW fleet segment and 34 trips for the TBB_DEF_>221 kW fleet segment.
This programme contributes to environmental targets D3.1, D3.2, D3.3, D3.4 and D1.4. (former programme ANSBE-D3-Commercial-fish-SP13 )

Other Policies Conventions

</td>
                                    </tr>
                                    <tr>
                                        <td><label>Regional Cooperation Coordination</label></td>
                                        <td><span class="form-control" readonly="readonly">Other</span></td>
                                    </tr>
                                    <tr>
                                        <td><label>Regional Cooperation Countries</label></td>
                                        <td><textarea class="form-control" readonly="readonly">Netherlands
Germany
United Kingdom
France
Denmark
Ireland
Spain
Portugal

Regional Cooperation Implementation

Agreed data collection methods

Temporal Scope

1973-9999

Spatial Scope

Coastal waters (WFD)
Territorial waters
EEZ (or similar)
Beyond MS Marine Waters

Marine Reporting Unit

L2.2.5

Monitoring Purpose

Environmental state and impacts
Pressures in the marine environment

Monitoring Type

In-situ sampling offshore
In-situ sampling coastal

Monitoring Details

The primary sampling unit (PSU) in the Belgian at sea sampling programme is vessel x trip (as a proxy for trip).
A vessel x trip (PSU) for the TBB_DEF_>221 kW fleet segment is selected ad hoc or standard quota sampling is conducted (non-probability-based sampling). The vessels that are willing to take observers onboard and those that are logistically suited, are included in the vessel list, that currently contains ± 15 vessels over which the sampling will be spread.  ILVO introduced 2 types of sampling:
1.	Ad hoc sampling: for those strata with a lower sampling coverage (based on previous years)
2.	Quota sampling: sampling effort is proportionally to the fleet effort (based on previous year)

A vessel x trip (PSU) for the TBB_DEF_<=221 kW fleet segment is selected ad hoc. More than half of TBB_DEF vessels with a capacity <=221 kW flying the Belgian flag are regularly fishing for shrimp (TBB_CRU). Belgium has a derogation for sampling the TBB_CRU métier until the end of 2021. The TBB_DEF_<=221 kW vessel list proved too small to ensure random PSU selection. Therefore, ad hoc sampling of 2 euro cutters and 2 coastal vessels is carried out.
The observer coordinator keeps track of the vessels in the vessel list but ILVO considers collecting non-responses and refusals on PSU (trip) level not relevant.
Every other haul is sampled by an observer. For the TBB_DEF_<=221 kW fleet segment, the aim is to sample all hauls during the short trips of the coastal vessels. The crew sorts the marketable fish from the conveyor belt. In the meantime, the observer is sampling the discarded fraction of the catch by sorting all commercially important species. The total weight per species in each haul is determined and lengths are measured. When a species is extremely abundant, a smaller representative subsample (TSU) is measured. The marketable part of the catch (landings) is sampled later on in the same way as the discarded part of the catch.
For selected species (depending on the area), otoliths from minimum 3 fish per cm-size class per species per area, are collected (except for 1 fish per cm-size class for cod) for age estimations. Otoliths are collected throughout the whole trip (several hauls) until the quota for otoliths is achieved. For the discarded part of the catch, otoliths are being removed on board. For the retained part (landings) of the catch, the fish are purchased.

Coordination takes place within the Regional Coordination Groups (RCG NA/RCG NSE).

Monitoring Method Other

The protocol for the observer-at-sea programme can be found on smartfisheries.be (http://193.190.112.136/Portals/0/Publicaties/Protocol%20for%20at%20sea%20sampling%20programme%20ILVO%20-%202019.pdf?ver=2019-05-24-112532-673)
All the at sea sampling data (metadata and all biological data) are recorded with the electronic measuring board (developed by ILVO) and stored in a national database called ‘SmartFish’.

Quality Control

ISISO17025
An own developed national standard, approved by regional coordination and EC, Real and Delayed Validation
For quality assurance and analyses (e.g. raising) of the catch data, integrated checks in Smartfish, powerBI desktop and several R scripts (o.a. COST packages) are used.

Data Management

Data (trip, haul, samples) is stored at ILVO in the in-house database ‘Smartfish'. On a yearly basis, aggregated data products are provided to ICES for use in stock assessments. For quality assurance and analyses (e.g. raising) of the catch data, integrated checks in Smartfish, powerBI desktop and several R scripts (o.a. COST packages) are used. The data products serve as input data when running models to make prognoses for the fishing opportunities in the following years and calculating the fishing quota. Outcomes are the scientific advice sheets that can be consulted on the ICES website (https://www.ices.dk/community/advisory-process/Pages/Latest-Advice.aspx).

Data Access

http://metadata.naturalsciences.be

Contact

Els Torreele, Institute for Agriculture, Fishery and Food research (ILVO)

References

https://odnature.naturalsciences.be/msfd/monitoring/2020/#ANSBE-P11-Fish-2-commercial

Feature

Demersal shelf fish

Element

Demersal fish community

GES Criteria

D1C2 Population abundance

Parameter	Biomass Other Abundance (number of individuals)
Parameter Other	species composition

GES Criteria

D1C3 Population demographic characteristics

Parameter	Age distribution Length Sex distribution

GES Criteria

D1C1 Mortality rate from incidental by-catch

Parameter	Mortality (weight/volume; number of individuals)

Feature

Commercially exploited fish and shellfish

Element

Demersal fish community

GES Criteria

D3C1 Fishing mortality rate (F)

Parameter	Mortality (weight/volume; number of individuals) Mortality rate

GES Criteria

D3C2 Spawning stock biomass (SSB)

Parameter	Biomass of Spawning Stock (SSB) Abundance (number of individuals)

GES Criteria

D3C3 Population age/size distribution

Parameter	Size distribution Length
Parameter Other	ag

Feature

Extraction of, or mortality/injury to, wild species (by
                commercial and recreational fishing and other activities)

Related Indicator

Related Indicator Code	rjc_2018
Related Indicator Name	Thornback ray (Raja clavata) in Southern North Sea (ICES area Ivb and Ivc)
Related Indicator Code	ple.27.420
Related Indicator Name	Plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) in Subarea 4 (North Sea) and Subdivision 20 (Skagerrak)
Related Indicator Code	sol.27.4
Related Indicator Name	Sole (Solea solea) in Subarea 4 (North Sea)
Related Indicator Code	tur.27.4
Related Indicator Name	Turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) in Subarea 4 (North Sea)
Related Indicator Code	whg.27.47d
Related Indicator Name	Whiting (Merlangius merlangus) in Subarea 4 and Division 7.d (North Sea and eastern English Channel)
Related Indicator Code	bll.27.3a47de
Related Indicator Name	Brill (Scophthalmus rhombus) in Subarea 4 and Divisions 3.a and 7.de (North Sea, Skagerrak and Kattegat, English Channel)
Related Indicator Code	cod.27.47d20
Related Indicator Name	Cod (Gadus morhua) in Subarea 4 and Divisions 7.d and 20 (North Sea, eastern English Channel, Skagerrak)
Related Indicator Code	dab.27.3a4
Related Indicator Name	Dab (Limanda limanda) in Subarea 4 and Division 3.a (North Sea, Skagerrak and Kattegat)
Related Indicator Code	fle.27.3a4
Related Indicator Name	Flounder (Platichthys flesus) in Subarea 4 and Division 3.a (North Sea, Skagerrak and Kattegat)
Related Indicator Code	lem.27.3a47d
Related Indicator Name	Lemon sole (Microstomus kitt) in Subarea 4 and Divisions 3.a and 7.d (North Sea, Skagerrak and Kattegat, eastern English Channel)

ANSBE-P12-Plankton-1-chla-Chlorophyll a

Programme Code

ANSBE-P12-Plankton-1-chla

Programme Name

Chlorophyll a

Update Type

Modified from 2014

Programme Description

This programme includes monitoring based on satellite detection (EODataBee) and in-situ data.
The purpose of the EODataBee Water Quality Monitoring service is to provide satellite-based support for the water quality assessment of chlorophyll a concentration in the framework of Belgium's obligations in the context of the Eutrophication Strategy of the Oslo and Paris Commissions for the Prevention of Marine Pollution (OSPAR-EUC) and the eutrophication-related elements of the European Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD).
In-situ chlorophyll a measurements are taken simultaneously with the water samples for nutrients (ANSBE-P15- Nutrients), allowing long-term monitoring of processes in the water column.
This programme covers the environmental target D5.3.

Other Policies Conventions

Water Framework Directive
OSPAR Coordinated Environmental Monitoring Programme

Regional Cooperation Coordination

OSPAR

Regional Cooperation Implementation

Agreed data collection methods

Temporal Scope

2010-9999

Spatial Scope

Beyond MS Marine Waters
Coastal waters (WFD)
Territorial waters
EEZ (or similar)

Marine Reporting Unit

ANS-BE-MS-1

Monitoring Purpose

Environmental state and impacts
Pressures in the marine environment

Monitoring Type

Remote satellite imagery
In-situ sampling coastal
In-situ sampling offshore

Monitoring Details

1) Satellite based chlorofyl a:
- Frequency of sampling: daily, provided that cloud cover and quality flagging allow measurements.
- Geographic scope: 100% satellite coverage (e.g. SeaWifs, MERIS, MODIS, Sentinel-3).
- Approximate number of samples: number of samples varies per region and is dependent on cloud cover, quality flagging, etc. For the Belgian coastal zone, there are between 25 and 50 samples per growing season (March-October).
Methodology based on satellite data as elaborated in regional context in  the frame of JMP Eunosat (https://www.informatiehuismarien.nl/projecten/algaeevaluated/information/results/ ) and in review by OSPAR. Joint data collection, satellite and in-situ, with the Netherlands.
2) Chlorophyll a monitoring based on in situ data: monthly sampling at fixed measuring stations, simultaneously with the nutrients (ANSBE-P15- Nutrients). Additional sampling at time of satellite overpass.

Monitoring Method Other

Chlorophyll a concentration is generated from daily Ocean Colour data provided by the SeaWifs (1998-2003), the MERIS (2003 to 2011), the MODIS (2003 to 2017) and Sentinel-3 (2017 to current) satellite sensors. The algorithms used to derive data from the satellite sensors correspond to the best available algorithms given a water type and satellite sensor. Data is supplied at approximately 1 km resolution for the period 1998-2017 and 300m for the period 2017-current on a geographical equidistant grid covering the described region. The quality control and algorithm merging procedure applied was developed during the JMP-EUNOSAT project. The suitability of the satellite-based Chlorophyll a product for eutrophication assessment was evaluated by a comparison analysis with in-situ datasets for all assessment areas in the Greater North Sea. A validation of the yearly mean and P90 chlorophyll a products using the national monitoring chlorophyll a data obtained using different analytical techniques (i.e. HPLC, spectrophotometry, fluorometry) yielded a median error of 35.19% and 39.05% respectively. This shows a good general agreement between in-situ and satellite observations. More details are available in: https://www.informatiehuismarien.nl/publish/pages/162863/2_chlorophyll_satellite_data.pdf
Van der Zande, D., Lavigne, H., Blauw, A., Prins, T., Desmit, X., Eleveld, M., Gohin, F., Pardo, S, Tilstone, G., Cardoso Dos Santos, J. (2019). Coherence in assessment framework of chlorophyll a and nutrients as part of the EU project ‘Joint monitoring programme of the eutrophication of the North Sea with satellite data’ (Ref: DG ENV/MSFD Second Cycle/2016). Activity 2 Report. 106 pp.

Quality Control

Data for calibration of the sensors are ground-truthed by grab sample analysis, coinciding with satellite overpass, and subsequent analysis in the ISO17025:2017 certified lab ECOCHEM.

Data Management

The in-situ data are registered in LIMS (Ecochem) and transferred to BMDC, which centralises them and makes them publicly accessible via the RBINS metadata catalogue (http://metadata.naturalsciences.be). The data are reported to ICES (DOME) in the frame of OSPAR and transferred to Emodnet Chemistry.

Data Access

http://metadata.naturalsciences.be

Contact

Dimitry Van der Zande, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Science (RBINS)

References

https://odnature.naturalsciences.be/msfd/monitoring/2020/#ANSBE-P12-Plankton-1-chla

Feature

Eutrophication

Element

Remote sensing (chlorophyll a)

GES Criteria

D5C2 Chlorophyll-a concentration

Parameter	Concentration in water

Element

Chlorophyll-a

GES Criteria

D5C2 Chlorophyll-a concentration

Parameter	Concentration in water

Related Indicator

Related Indicator Code	ANS-BE-CHL2018
Related Indicator Name	Chlorophyll a concentration

ANSBE-P13-Plankton-2-phyto-Phytoplankton observations in the Belgian part of the North Sea – LifeWatch observatory data

Programme Code

ANSBE-P13-Plankton-2-phyto

Programme Name

Phytoplankton observations in the Belgian part of the North Sea – LifeWatch observatory data

Update Type

New programme

Programme Description

The abundance of phytoplankton groups is monitored based on automated recognition and manual validation.

Temporal Scope

2017-9999

Spatial Scope

Coastal waters (WFD)
Territorial waters
EEZ (or similar)

Marine Reporting Unit

ANS-BE-MS-1

Monitoring Purpose

Environmental state and impacts

Monitoring Type

In-situ sampling coastal
In-situ sampling offshore

Monitoring Details

A total 17 stations in the Belgian part of the North Sea are being sampled since May 2017. On a monthly basis, 9 stations are sampled in near-shore areas. Additionally, 8 offshore stations are sampled on a seasonal basis.
Essential ocean variable: Phytoplankton Biomass and Diversity (http://goosocean.org/index.php?option=com_oe&task=viewDocumentRecord&docID=17507).
This monitoring programme is dependant on the continuation of funding starting from 2021.

Monitoring Method Other

Phytoplankton for the lifeWatch phytoplankton observation in the Belgian part of the North Sea (https://doi.org/10.14284/330) are sampled by a 55µm mesh size Apstein plankton net deployed at the surface of each station. The 55µm mesh size Apstein net is a commonly net used for phytoplankton sampling. The samples are fixed with lugol and stored in dark conditions at 4°C at the Marine Station in Ostende. The samples are then filtered with a 300 µm mesh size net (to remove large particles and organisms)  and processed with a FlowCAM VS-4 at 4X magnification, using a FC300 flow cell, at a flow rate of 1.7mL/min. The analysis combines the technologies of flow cytometry, microscopy and image analysis, and the produced images are processed with the software VisualSpreadsheet (improvements of the software are ongoing at Marine Observation Center in Ostende , and the software will be updated in the coming years) allowing a semi-autonomous characterization of phytoplankton at the genus or species level. This semi-automatic classification requires a further validation by an experienced operator (performed at the Marine Observation Center in Ostende).

Quality Control

The output of the Auto Classification is manually validated by an experienced taxonomist to remove the errors of the automatic prediction.

Data Management

Data management is organised by the VLIZ data center. Data is contributed to European integrative data systems, among others EurOBIS and EMODNet Biology. Metadata is described in the IMIS dataset catalogue and long-term data preservation is facilitated by the Marine Data Archive.
One must include a citation to the dataset in the bibliography of all presentations or publications which involve the use of the phytoplankton Lifewatch observatory data in accordance with the outline below and journal style:
Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ), Belgium (2019): LifeWatch observatory data: phytoplankton observations by imaging flow cytometry (FlowCam) in the Belgian part of the North Sea. https://doi.org/10.14284/330. The data is reported annually to BMDC.

Data Access

https://doi.org/10.14284/330

Contact

Klaas Deneudt, Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ)

References

https://odnature.naturalsciences.be/msfd/monitoring/2020/#ANSBE-P13-Plankton-2-phyto

Feature

Pelagic broad habitats

Element

Phytoplankton communities

GES Criteria

D1C6 Pelagic habitat condition

Parameter	Other
Parameter Other	community composition, diversity & total biomass

ANSBE-P14-Plankton-3-zoo-Zooplankton observations in the Belgian part of the North Sea - LifeWatch observatory data

Programme Code

ANSBE-P14-Plankton-3-zoo

Programme Name

Zooplankton observations in the Belgian part of the North Sea - LifeWatch observatory data

Update Type

New programme

Programme Description

The abundance of zooplankton groups is monitored based on automated recognition and manual validation.

Temporal Scope

2012-9999

Spatial Scope

Coastal waters (WFD)
Territorial waters
EEZ (or similar)

Marine Reporting Unit

ANS-BE-MS-1

Monitoring Purpose

Environmental state and impacts

Monitoring Type

In-situ sampling coastal
In-situ sampling offshore

Monitoring Details

A total 17 stations in the Belgian part of the North Sea are being sampled since 2012. On a monthly basis, 9 stations are sampled in near-shore areas. Additionally, 8 offshore stations are sampled on a seasonal basis.
Essential ocean variable: Zooplankton Biomass and Diversity (http://goosocean.org/index.php?option=com_oe&task=viewDocumentRecord&docID=17509)
This monitoring programme is dependant on the continuation of funding starting from 2021.

Monitoring Method Other

Zooplankton for the lifeWatch zooplankton observation in the Belgian part of the North Sea (https://doi.org/10.14284/394) are sampled by a 200µm mesh size WP2 plankton net (57 cm diameter opening ring) deployed vertically from bottom to surface in order to sample the whole water column at each station. The 200µm mesh size WP2 plankton net is the most commonly used and recognized method to sample mesozooplankon. The samples are then with fixed with formaldehyde and stored at the Marine Station in Ostende. The samples are processed with a ZooScan imaging system. The produced images are processed with the ZooProcess software allowing a semi-autonomous characterization of zooplankton into 22 validated taxonomic groups. This semi-automatic classification requires a further validation by an experienced operator (performed at the Marine Observation Center in Ostende).

Quality Control

The output of the automated classification is manually validated by an experienced taxonomist to remove the errors of the automatic prediction.

Data Management

Data management is organised by the VLIZ datacenter. Data is contributed to European integrative data systems, among others EurOBIS and EMODNet Biology. Metadata is described in the IMIS dataset catalogue and long-term data preservation is facilitated by the Marine Data Archive. One must include a citation to the dataset in the bibliography of all presentations or publications which involve the use of the phytoplankton Lifewatch observatory data in accordance with the outline below and journal style:
Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ), Belgium (2019): LifeWatch observatory data: zooplankton observations in the Belgian part of the North Sea. https://doi.org/10.14284/394

Data Access

https://doi.org/10.14284/394

Contact

Klaas Deneudt, Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ)

References

https://odnature.naturalsciences.be/msfd/monitoring/2020/#ANSBE-P14-Plankton-3-zoo

Feature

Pelagic broad habitats

Element

Zooplankton communities

GES Criteria

D1C6 Pelagic habitat condition

Parameter	Other
Parameter Other	total abundance, functional group abundance

ANSBE-P15-Nutrients-Nutrients and physico-chemical characteristics in the water column

Programme Code

ANSBE-P15-Nutrients

Programme Name

Nutrients and physico-chemical characteristics in the water column

Update Type

Modified from 2014

Programme Description

Monitoring, in the form of repeated measurements of key aspects of the state of the marine environment at key locations, provides the basis for assessing progress towards good environmental status and the evaluation of the effectiveness of actions being taken to protect the sea.
The core marine environmental monitoring activity under the JAMP is the OSPAR CEMP. The CEMP is focused on monitoring of the concentrations and effects of selected contaminants and nutrients in the marine environment. The Eutrophication Monitoring Programme is a self-standing component of the CEMP focusing on nutrients and eutrophication effects. Monitoring by Contracting Parties under the CEMP is coordinated through adherence to jointly agreed guidance on monitoring and quality assurance procedures, which provides a basis for the collection of comparable and quality-assured data throughout the OSPAR maritime area.
This programme covers the environmental targets D5.1 and D5.2.

Other Policies Conventions

OSPAR Coordinated Environmental Monitoring Programme
Water Framework Directive

Regional Cooperation Implementation

Agreed data collection methods

Temporal Scope

1992-9999

Spatial Scope

Coastal waters (WFD)
Territorial waters
EEZ (or similar)

Marine Reporting Unit

ANS-BE-MS-1

Monitoring Purpose

Pressures in the marine environment
Effectiveness of measures

Monitoring Type

In-situ sampling coastal
In-situ sampling offshore

Monitoring Details

Other parameters measured include a.o. salinity as covariable, pH, organic carbon and dissolved oxygen.

Monitoring Method Other

Sampling by Niskin bottles on board RV Belgica.
Laboratory analyses according to accredited method (ISO 17025) on the basis of SKALAR (RBINS, Ostend).

Quality Control

ISO 17025

Data Management

The in-situ data are registered in LIMS (Ecochem) and transferred to BMDC, which centralises them and makes them publicly accessible via the RBINS metadata catalogue (http://metadata.naturalsciences.be). The data are reported to ICES (DOME) in the frame of OSPAR and transferred to Emodnet Chemistry.

Data Access

http://metadata.naturalsciences.be

Contact

Koen Parmentier, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Science (RBINS)

References

https://odnature.naturalsciences.be/msfd/monitoring/2020/#ANSBE-P15-Nutrients

Feature

Eutrophication

Element

Nutrients (integrated)

GES Criteria

D5C1 Nutrient concentrations

Parameter	Concentration in water

Element

WFD assessment nutrients - WFD assessment nutrients

GES Criteria

D5C1 Nutrient concentrations

Parameter	Concentration in water

Related Indicator

Related Indicator Code	ANS-BE-NUT2018
Related Indicator Name	Nutrient concentration

ANSBE-P16-Hydrography-Hydrographical changes

Programme Code

ANSBE-P16-Hydrography

Programme Name

Hydrographical changes

Update Type

Modified from 2014

Programme Description

This monitoring programme aims at identifying as soon as possible the permanent hydrographic changes induced by the construction of new infrastructures at sea or on the coast and which are likely to modify the distribution of erosion and sedimentation zones in the BPNS.
(Former programme ANSBE-D7-HydrographySP16)
This programme covers the environmental targets D7.1 and D7.2.

Other Policies Conventions

Water Framework Directive

Temporal Scope

2015-9999

Spatial Scope

Coastal waters (WFD)
Territorial waters
EEZ (or similar)

Marine Reporting Unit

ANS-BE-MS-1

Monitoring Purpose

Pressures in the marine environment
Pressures at source

Monitoring Type

Numerical modelling

Monitoring Details

First of all, during the environmental impact study carried out as part of the licensing procedure, a specific study must be carried out using validated numerical models in order to identify and quantify significant permanent hydrographic changes (currents and waves) induced by the infrastructure to be built and to deduce the area of the area subject to these changes.
In a second step, after the construction of the infrastructure, and if the environmental permit for the infrastructure requires the implementation of an environmental monitoring programme, the results of the monitoring will also be used to refine the assessment of the extent of areas undergoing significant permanent hydrographic changes.

Monitoring Method Other

- A validated numerical model with an appropriate resolution.
- The model validation should be done against in-situ data collected in the area for which a license is requested.

Quality Control

Standard model validation procedure against in-situ data, such as RMSE, bias, standard deviation, scatter plot, correlation coefficient or ROC curves.

Data Management

The data is transmitted through BMDC's Data Tracking System, which makes it publicly accessible via RBINS' metadata catalogue (http://metadata.naturalsciences.be).

Data Access

http://metadata.naturalsciences.be

Contact

Sébastien Legrand, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Science (RBINS)

References

https://odnature.naturalsciences.be/msfd/monitoring/2020/#ANSBE-P16-Hydrography

Feature

Hydrographical changes

Element

Current regime

GES Criteria

D7C1 Alteration of hydrographical conditions

Parameter	Extent

Element

Wave regime

GES Criteria

D7C1 Alteration of hydrographical conditions

Parameter	Extent

Related Indicator

Related Indicator Code	ANS-BE-HYDR2018
Related Indicator Name	Hydrographical changes

ANSBE-P17-Contaminants-1-sediment-Contaminants in sediment collected within sampling for OSPAR

Programme Code

ANSBE-P17-Contaminants-1-sediment

Programme Name

Contaminants in sediment collected within sampling for OSPAR

Update Type

Modified from 2014

Programme Description

This programme aims at investigating contamination by hazardous substances in sediment and relates to the environmental targets D8.2 and D8.3.

Other Policies Conventions

OSPAR Coordinated Environmental Monitoring Programme

Regional Cooperation Coordination

OSPAR

Regional Cooperation Implementation

Coordinated data collection

Temporal Scope

1978-9999

Spatial Scope

Territorial waters
EEZ (or similar)
Coastal waters (WFD)

Marine Reporting Unit

ANS-BE-MS-1

Monitoring Purpose

Pressures in the marine environment

Monitoring Type

In-situ sampling offshore
In-situ sampling coastal

Monitoring Details

Sampling frequency: 3-monthly (4 seasons)
Approximate number of samples: ca. 20/year
Parameters: metals, PAHs, PCBs, PBDEs, organotins

Monitoring Method Other

Sediment samples are taken by a Van Veen grab (0.1 m²).  Parameters analyzed are: metals, PCBs, PAHs, organotins and PBDE’s. Co-factors for normalisation: Al, Fe (metals), Organic Carbon (OC) for organics.
Subsequent analytical methods may be subjected to changes. Method information and method changes are yearly provided to the BMDC.
Applied methods (reference date 1st January 2020):
- PCB sediment: dry sediment is extracted by pressurized liquid extraction (hexane:acetone 3:1) and analysed by GC-MS²
- Hg: dry combustion with oxygen, Au-adsorption, AMA 254
- Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, Zn, As: Wet destruction with HClO4+HNO3+HF; quantitation by ICP-MS and/or ICP-OES
- Organotins: Derivatization with Sodium ethylborate in an acidic water-methanol-hexane medium, hexane extraction, GPC (Gel Permeation Chromatography), GC-MS analysis
- PBDE: ASE extraction (dichloromethane), clean-up on Alumina oxide and GPC, GC-MS analysis
- PAH: ASE extraction (dichloromethane), clean-up on Alumina oxide and GPC, GC-MS analysis
- Organic Carbon: acidification, oxidation with IR detection of CO2 on Element Analyzer.

Quality Control

Methods for PAH and TBT analysis are accredited conform ISO17025. All methods follow strict QA/QC protocols, including first-line control (positive controls, procedure blanks, …), second-line controls and third-line controls (ring test).

Data Management

The data are registered at ILVO and in the LIMS at Ecochem and transferred to BMDC, which centralises them and makes them publicly accessible via the RBINS metadata catalogue (http://metadata.naturalsciences.be). BMDC reports the data to ICES (DOME) within the framework of OSPAR and transfers the data to Emodnet Chemistry.

Data Access

http://metadata.naturalsciences.be

Contact

Koen Parmentier, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Science (RBINS), Bavo De Witte, Institute for Agriculture, Fishery and Food research (ILVO)

References

https://odnature.naturalsciences.be/msfd/monitoring/2020/#ANSBE-P17-Contaminants-1-sediment

Feature

Contaminants - UPBT substances

Element

Mercury and its compounds

GES Criteria

D8C1 Contaminant in environment

Parameter	Concentration in sediment (total)

Element

Brominated diphenylethers (congener numbers 28, 47, 99, 100, 153 and 154)

GES Criteria

D8C1 Contaminant in environment

Parameter	Concentration in sediment (total)

Element

Tributyltin compounds

GES Criteria

D8C1 Contaminant in environment

Parameter	Concentration in sediment (total)

Feature

Contaminants - non UPBT substances

Element

Polychlorinated biphenyls (7 PCB: 28,52,101,118,138,153,180)

GES Criteria

D8C1 Contaminant in environment

Parameter	Concentration in sediment (total)

Element

ΣPAH9: anthracene; benzo[a]anthracene; benzo[ghi]perylene; benzo[a]pyrene; chrysene; fluoranthene; indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene; pyrene; phenanthrene

GES Criteria

D8C1 Contaminant in environment

Parameter	Concentration in sediment (total)

Element

Cadmium and its compounds

GES Criteria

D8C1 Contaminant in environment

Parameter	Concentration in sediment (total)

Element

Lead and its compounds

GES Criteria

D8C1 Contaminant in environment

Parameter	Concentration in sediment (total)

Element

Copper and its compounds

GES Criteria

D8C1 Contaminant in environment

Parameter	Concentration in sediment (total)

Element

Zinc and its compounds

GES Criteria

D8C1 Contaminant in environment

Parameter	Concentration in sediment (total)

Related Indicator

Related Indicator Code	ANS-BE-CONT-ENV2018
Related Indicator Name	Concentrations of contaminants in the environment

ANSBE-P18-Contaminants-2-biota-Contaminants in biota collected within sampling for OSPAR and Water Framework Directive

Programme Code

ANSBE-P18-Contaminants-2-biota

Programme Name

Contaminants in biota collected within sampling for OSPAR and Water Framework Directive

Update Type

Modified from 2014

Programme Description

This programme aims at investigating contamination by hazardous substances in biota (Mytilus edulis and Platichthys flesus) and relates to the environmental targets D8.1, D8.2 and D8.3.

Other Policies Conventions

Water Framework Directive
OSPAR Coordinated Environmental Monitoring Programme

Regional Cooperation Coordination

OSPAR

Regional Cooperation Implementation

Coordinated data collection

Temporal Scope

1978-9999

Spatial Scope

Coastal waters (WFD)
EEZ (or similar)
Territorial waters

Marine Reporting Unit

ANS-BE-MS-1 BEFED_CW

Monitoring Purpose

Pressures in the marine environment

Monitoring Type

In-situ sampling coastal
In-situ sampling offshore

Monitoring Details

1. sampling seasonality: yearly (September)
2. Approximate number of samples:
- Mytilus edulis : 12/year; taken at groynes at Nieuwpoort, Oostende and Knokke, 4 length classes at each location
Parameters: PAHs, PCBs, PBDE, organotins, heavy metals
- Platichthys flesus: ca.  5/year (pooled samples); pooled samples are representative for the Belgian part of the North Sea, 5 length classes (pooled samples) for both muscle and liver tissue.
Parameters: PCBs, PBDE, organotins, heavy metals

Monitoring Method Other

Mussels samples are collected at groynes and after storage overnight in salt water for sediment removal, stored in a freezer (-20°C). Platichthys flesus samples were collected by beam trawl fishing. Liver and muscle were stored in the freezer (-20°C). Samples are analyzed for PAHs, PCBs, PBDEs, organotins and metals. For organica, the total lipid content is used as co-factor for normalization.
Subsequent analytical methods may be subjected to changes. Method information and method changes are yearly provided to the BMDC .
Applied methods (reference date 1st January 2020):
- PCB: Smedes extraction (cyclohexane/isopropanol), clean-up by alumina, fractionation on silica gel, quantification by GC-ECD
- PAH: Dry sample is extracted by pressurized liquid extraction (hexane:aceton 3:1); clean-up exists of alumina and silica gel chromatography, quantification by GC-MS
- Hg: dry combustion with oxygen, Au-adsorption, AMA 254
- Cd & Pb: microwave extraction with HNO3, ICP-MS quantification
- Organotins: Derivatization with Sodium ethylborate in an acidic water-methanol-hexane medium, hexane extraction, GPC (Gel Permeation Chromatography), GC-MS analysis
- PBDE: ASE extraction (dichloromethane) with Alumina oxide in the cell, clean-up by GPC, GC-MS analysis

Quality Control

Methods for PAH and organotin analysis are accredited conform ISO17025. All methods follow strict QA/QC protocols, including first-line control (positive controls, procedure blanks, …), second-line controls and third-line controls (ring test).

Data Management

The data are registered at ILVO and in the LIMS at Ecochem and transferred to BMDC, which centralises them and makes them publicly accessible via the RBINS metadata catalogue (http://metadata.naturalsciences.be). BMDC reports the data to ICES (DOME) within the framework of OSPAR and transfers the data to Emodnet Chemistry.

Data Access

http://metadata.naturalsciences.be

Contact

Koen Parmentier, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Science (RBINS), Bavo De Witte, Institute for Agriculture, Fishery and Food research (ILVO)

References

https://odnature.naturalsciences.be/msfd/monitoring/2020/#ANSBE-P18-Contaminants-2-biota

Feature

Contaminants - UPBT substances

Element

Mercury and its compounds

GES Criteria

D8C1 Contaminant in environment

Parameter	Concentration in biota (total)

Element

Brominated diphenylethers (congener numbers 28, 47, 99, 100, 153 and 154)

GES Criteria

D8C1 Contaminant in environment

Parameter	Concentration in biota (total)

Element

Tributyltin compounds

GES Criteria

D8C1 Contaminant in environment

Parameter	Concentration in biota (total)

Feature

Contaminants - non UPBT substances

Element

Polychlorinated biphenyls (7 PCB: 28,52,101,118,138,153,180)

GES Criteria

D8C1 Contaminant in environment

Parameter	Concentration in biota (total)

Element

ΣPAH9: anthracene; benzo[a]anthracene; benzo[ghi]perylene; benzo[a]pyrene; chrysene; fluoranthene; indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene; pyrene; phenanthrene

GES Criteria

D8C1 Contaminant in environment

Parameter	Concentration in biota (total)

Element

Cadmium and its compounds

GES Criteria

D8C1 Contaminant in environment

Parameter	Concentration in biota (total)

Element

Lead and its compounds

GES Criteria

D8C1 Contaminant in environment

Parameter	Concentration in biota (total)

Related Indicator

Related Indicator Code	ANS-BE-CONT-ENV2018
Related Indicator Name	Concentrations of contaminants in the environment

ANSBE-P19-Contaminants-3-water-Contaminants in water - Water Framework Directive

Programme Code

ANSBE-P19-Contaminants-3-water

Programme Name

Contaminants in water - Water Framework Directive

Update Type

Modified from 2014

Programme Description

The Water Framework Directive (WFD), adopted in 2000 (2000/60/EC2), should “contribute to the progressive reduction of emissions of hazardous substances to water”, the ultimate aim being “to achieve the elimination of priority hazardous substances (PHS) and contribute to achieving concentrations in the marine environment near background values for naturally occurring substances”.  In order to achieve this, pollution through the discharge, emission or loss of PHS must cease or be phased out.  Although the WFD is designed for surface water and ground waters, transitional (bodies of surface water in the vicinity of river mouths which are partly saline in character but mainly influenced by freshwater flows) and coastal (roughly the first mile of territorial waters) waters are also included.  The WFD plays an major role in the field of marine environmental monitoring and represents an additional challenge for the laboratories and scientists involved in this field. Although the Directive aims to contribute to previously approved agreements such as OSPAR, it imposes its proper demands for monitoring on member states.
This programme contributes to environmental objective D8.1. (Former programme ANSBE-D8-Contaminants-SP17)

Other Policies Conventions

Water Framework Directive

Temporal Scope

2008-9999

Spatial Scope

Territorial waters
Coastal waters (WFD)

Marine Reporting Unit

BEFED_CW BEFED_TEW

Monitoring Purpose

Environmental state and impacts
Effectiveness of measures

Monitoring Type

In-situ sampling offshore
In-situ sampling coastal

Monitoring Details

The WFD focuses on water as the main monitoring compartment, while OSPAR focuses on sediment, biota and suspended matter as a matrix and has developed quality standards for them. The low concentrations in seawater, due to dilution, are a major analytical challenge. Suspended material, the vector of hydrophobic contaminants, is variable in concentration during the tidal cycle. Although monitoring in the other matrices is permitted, EQS values are not always available. Developing equivalent target values are complex, expensive and labour-intensive tasks. More recently, many substances of emerging concern (CECs) are more polar, and monitoring in water for these substances may be the right way forward.

The WFD foresees that the development of water quality should be monitored by the member states on a systematic and comparable basis. Therefore, technical specifications should be laid down in order to assure a common approach, e.g. the standardisation of monitoring, sampling and methods of analysis.

Monitoring Method Other

Water samples are taken by Niskin sampling.
- PAK: SPE-extractie opzuivering met aluminium oxide en GPC, - Analysis by GC-MS
- Organotins: Derivatization with Sodium ethylborate in an acidic water-methanol-hexane medium, hexane extraction, GPC (Gel Permeation Chromatography), GC-MS analysis

Quality Control

ISO 17025

Data Management

The data is registered in the LIMS at Ecochem and transferred to BMDC, which centralises it and makes it publicly accessible via the RBINS metadata catalogue (http://metadata.naturalsciences.be). The data are reported to ICES (DOME) within the framework of OSPAR and transferred  to Emodnet Chemistry.

Data Access

http://metadata.naturalsciences.be

Contact

Koen Parmentier, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Science (RBINS)

References

https://odnature.naturalsciences.be/msfd/monitoring/2020/#ANSBE-P19-Contaminants-3-water

Feature

Contaminants - UPBT substances

Element

Environmental UPBT contaminants - WFD UPBT substances

GES Criteria

D8C1 Contaminant in environment

Parameter	Concentration in water

Feature

Contaminants - non UPBT substances

Element

Environmental non UPBT contaminants - WFD non UPBT substances

GES Criteria

D8C1 Contaminant in environment

Parameter	Concentration in water

Related Indicator

Related Indicator Code	ANS-BE-CONT-ENV2018
Related Indicator Name	Concentrations of contaminants in the environment

ANSBE-P20-Contaminants-4-birdeggs-Chlorinated hydrocarbons and heavy metals in seabird eggs

Programme Code

ANSBE-P20-Contaminants-4-birdeggs

Programme Name

Chlorinated hydrocarbons and heavy metals in seabird eggs

Update Type

Modified from 2014

Programme Description

Since 2008 INBO collects 10 eggs of Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) for analysis of chlorinated hydrocarbon and heavy metals. The chemical analysis is done by Carl-von-Ossietzky University Oldenburg. The results will be used to evaluate the environmental target D8.3 “concentrations of Hg, PCB, DDT, HCB and HCH in bird eggs are equal to or less than their OSPAR threshold values”. (Former programme ANSBE-D8-Contaminants-SP19)

Other Policies Conventions

OSPAR Coordinated Environmental Monitoring Programme
Trilateral Monitoring and Assessment Programme (TMAP)

Regional Cooperation Coordination

Other

Regional Cooperation Countries

Germany
Netherlands
Denmark

Regional Cooperation Implementation

Joint data collection

Temporal Scope

2008-9999

Spatial Scope

Coastal waters (WFD)

Marine Reporting Unit

BEFED_CW

Monitoring Purpose

Environmental state and impacts
Pressures in the marine environment

Monitoring Type

In-situ sampling land/beach

Monitoring Details

Not relevant

Monitoring Method Other

Following the methodology of OSPAR EcoQO.
http://qsr2010.ospar.org/media/assessments/EcoQO/EcoQO_08_Reduce_hazardous_substances_in_seabird_eggs.pdf.

Quality Control

Unknown

Data Management

The data is transmitted annually via BMDC's Data Tracking System, which makes it publicly accessible via RBINS' metadata catalogue (http://metadata.naturalsciences.be).

Data Access

http://metadata.naturalsciences.be

Contact

Eric Stienen, Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO)

References

https://odnature.naturalsciences.be/msfd/monitoring/2020/#ANSBE-P20-Contaminants-4-birdeggs

Feature

Contaminants - UPBT substances

Element

Mercury and its compounds

GES Criteria

D8C1 Contaminant in environment

Parameter	Other
Parameter Other	Concentration in eggs of Sterna hirundo

Feature

Contaminants - non UPBT substances

Element

Polychlorinated biphenyls (incl. 62 PCB congeners)

GES Criteria

D8C1 Contaminant in environment

Parameter	Other
Parameter Other	Concentration in eggs of Sterna hirundo

Element

Hexachlorobenzene

GES Criteria

D8C1 Contaminant in environment

Parameter	Other
Parameter Other	Concentration in eggs of Sterna hirundo

Element

Hexachlorocyclohexane (α-, β-, γ-HCH)

GES Criteria

D8C1 Contaminant in environment

Parameter	Other
Parameter Other	Concentration in eggs of Sterna hirundo

Element

sum of p,p'-DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) and the metabolites p,p'-DDD (dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane) and p,p'-DDE (dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene)

GES Criteria

D8C1 Contaminant in environment

Parameter	Other
Parameter Other	Concentration in eggs of Sterna hirundo

Related Indicator

Related Indicator Code	ANS-BE-CONT-ENV2018
Related Indicator Name	Concentrations of contaminants in the environment

ANSBE-P21-Contaminants-5-OiledBirds-Monitoring of beached seabirds

Programme Code

ANSBE-P21-Contaminants-5-OiledBirds

Programme Name

Monitoring of beached seabirds

Update Type

Modified from 2014

Programme Description

Each month during winter the Belgian beaches are searched for stranded seabirds of which species, age, decomposition rate and the presence of oil are noted. The surveys started in 1962 with yearly counts. Only since 1992 monthly counts are conducted.
The proportion of oiled common guillemots encountered during the surveys will be used to evaluate environmental target D8.4. The average proportion of oiled common guillemots (zeekoet – Uria aalge) is below 10% of the total number found dead or dying on the beaches.
http://www.vliz.be/vogelslachtoffers/index.php
(Former programme ANSBE-D8-Contaminants-SP20)

Other Policies Conventions

OSPAR Coordinated Environmental Monitoring Programme

Regional Cooperation Coordination

OSPAR

Regional Cooperation Implementation

Common monitoring strategy

Temporal Scope

1962-9999

Spatial Scope

Terrestrial part of MS

Marine Reporting Unit

ANS-BE-MS-1

Monitoring Purpose

Pressures in the marine environment
Effectiveness of measures

Monitoring Type

In-situ sampling land/beach

Monitoring Details

- Processing of carcasses is once a year
- 1 count per month during October-March
- The number of yearly counted Guillemots is highly variable

Monitoring Method Other

Following OSPAR EcoQO-standards
http://qsr2010.ospar.org/media/assessments/EcoQO/EcoQO_P01-16_complete.pdf

Quality Control

Delayed Validation

Data Management

The data is transmitted annually via BMDC's Data Tracking System, which makes it publicly accessible via RBINS' metadata catalogue (http://metadata.naturalsciences.be).

Data Access

http://metadata.naturalsciences.be

Contact

Eric Stienen, Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO)

References

https://odnature.naturalsciences.be/msfd/monitoring/2020/#ANSBE-P21-Contaminants-5-OiledBirds

Feature

Pelagic-feeding birds

Element

Uria aalge

GES Criteria

D8C2 Adverse effects of contaminants

Parameter	Other
Parameter Other	%oiled among stranded guillemots

Related Indicator

Related Indicator Code	ANS-BE-OILED_URIA2018
Related Indicator Name	Oiled common guillemot (Uria aalge) on Belgian beaches

ANSBE-P22-Contaminants-6-radionuclides-Radionuclides in the marine environment

Programme Code

ANSBE-P22-Contaminants-6-radionuclides

Programme Name

Radionuclides in the marine environment

Update Type

New programme

Programme Description

This program monitors the level of radioactive substances in the marine environment (water, sediment and biota).

Other Policies Conventions

OSPAR Coordinated Environmental Monitoring Programme
Monitoring programme targeting at national legislation

Regional Cooperation Coordination

OSPAR

Regional Cooperation Implementation

Coordinated data collection

Temporal Scope

2001-9999

Spatial Scope

Coastal waters (WFD)
Territorial waters
EEZ (or similar)

Marine Reporting Unit

ANS-BE-MS-1

Monitoring Purpose

Pressures in the marine environment

Monitoring Type

In-situ sampling coastal
In-situ sampling offshore

Monitoring Details

Sediment and water samples are taken every 3-months (4 seasons) at 5 to 6 maritime locations W03, W05, W06, W07, W08 (MOW1). Species (different seafish, shrimp, mussels and seaweed more particular Fucus vesiculosus) are sampled 4 times a year.
Radionculides:
-	 all matrices: Gamma-emitters (complete gammaspec such as Be-7, Co-57, Co-58, Co-60, Mn-54, K-40, Ag110m, Zn-65, I-131, Ra-226, Ra228, Th-228, Cs134, Cs137, …), Pu
-	water: total alfa & bèta
-	 biota: Sr-90, Tc-99 & organic bound H-3 (Tritium)

OSPAR Agreement 2005-8 monitoring of radionuclides in the environment (Rev. 2018), National legislation: Art.70 & 71 Royal Decree 20/07/2001 (ARBIS), Art 21 of the law of 15/04/2015 (FANC-wet)

Monitoring Method Other

OSPAR Agreement 2005-8 monitoring of radionuclides in the environment (Rev. 2018)

Quality Control

- Sampling and analysis according international standards (ISO/IEC 17025, ISO 14001, BELAC accreditation, …)
- Annual reporting to OSPAR according predefined templates
- Annual review of joint assessment data by OSPAR RSC Expert Assessment Panel (RSC-EAP)

Data Management

The data is reported to OSPAR and stored in ODIMS and OSPAR's Data & Information Management System) and MARiS (IAEA’s Marine Radioactivity Information System). The data is also transmitted through BMDC's Data Tracking System, which makes it publicly accessible through RBINS' metadata catalogue (http://metadata.naturalsciences.be).

Data Access

http://metadata.naturalsciences.be

Contact

Jurgen Claes, Federal Agency for Nuclear Control (FANC) (in cooperation with SCKCN).

References

https://odnature.naturalsciences.be/msfd/nl/monitoring/2020/#ANSBE-P22-Contaminants-6-radionuclides

Feature

Contaminants - non UPBT substances

Element

Be-7

GES Criteria

D8C1 Contaminant in environment

Parameter	Concentration in sediment (total) Concentration in water Concentration in biota (total)

Element

Co-57

GES Criteria

D8C1 Contaminant in environment

Parameter	Concentration in biota (total) Concentration in sediment (total) Concentration in water

Element

Co-58

GES Criteria

D8C1 Contaminant in environment

Parameter	Concentration in sediment (total) Concentration in water Concentration in biota (total)

Element

Co-60

GES Criteria

D8C1 Contaminant in environment

Parameter	Concentration in sediment (total) Concentration in water Concentration in biota (total)

Element

Mn-54

GES Criteria

D8C1 Contaminant in environment

Parameter	Concentration in sediment (total) Concentration in water Concentration in biota (total)

Element

K-40

GES Criteria

D8C1 Contaminant in environment

Parameter	Concentration in sediment (total) Concentration in water Concentration in biota (total)

Element

Ag-110m

GES Criteria

D8C1 Contaminant in environment

Parameter	Concentration in sediment (total) Concentration in water Concentration in biota (total)

Element

Zn-65

GES Criteria

D8C1 Contaminant in environment

Parameter	Concentration in sediment (total) Concentration in water Concentration in biota (total)

Element

I-131

GES Criteria

D8C1 Contaminant in environment

Parameter	Concentration in sediment (total) Concentration in water Concentration in biota (total)

Element

Ra-226

GES Criteria

D8C1 Contaminant in environment

Parameter	Concentration in sediment (total) Concentration in water Concentration in biota (total)

Element

Te-129m

GES Criteria

D8C1 Contaminant in environment

Parameter	Concentration in sediment (total) Concentration in water Concentration in biota (total)

Element

Pu-239+240

GES Criteria

D8C1 Contaminant in environment

Parameter	Concentration in sediment (total) Concentration in water Concentration in biota (total)

ANSBE-P23-Contaminants-ship-pollution-Aerial survey of deliberate and accidental marine pollution from ships

Programme Code

ANSBE-P23-Contaminants-ship-pollution

Programme Name

Aerial survey of deliberate and accidental marine pollution from ships

Update Type

Modified from 2014

Programme Description

Since 1991, MUMM has been responsible for the organisation of the Belgian North Sea aerial survey programme (https://odnature.naturalsciences.be/mumm/en/aerial-surveillance/missions). The main mission of this programme is the aerial detection and observation of deliberate and accidental marine pollution from ships. These national pollution control flights are executed in the framework of the Bonn Agreement, i.e. the Agreement (1983) for cooperation in dealing with pollution of the North Sea by oil and other harmful substances (see: http://www.bonnagreement.org/). Only a significant acute pollution will trigger post-incident effect monitoring (cfr. D8C4).

This programme contributes to environmental target D8.6. (Former programme ANSBE-D8-Contaminants-SP23)

Other Policies Conventions

Bonn Aerial surveillance for prevention of pollution
OSPAR Coordinated Environmental Monitoring Programme

Regional Cooperation Coordination

Other OSPAR

Regional Cooperation Implementation

Agreed data collection methods

Temporal Scope

1991-9999

Spatial Scope

Transitional waters (WFD)
Coastal waters (WFD)
Territorial waters
EEZ (or similar)
Continental shelf (beyond EEZ)

Marine Reporting Unit

ANS-BE-MS-1

Monitoring Purpose

Environmental state and impacts
Human activities causing the pressures
Effectiveness of measures

Monitoring Type

Remote surveillance
Other

Monitoring Details

Belgium (MUMM) is task leader for discussing a common regional understanding and approach at Bonn Agreement and OSPAR level with respect to D8C4 on post-incident effect monitoring of significant acute pollution.

Quality Control

Unknown

Data Management

The data is transmitted annually through BMDC's Data Tracking System, which makes it publicly accessible via RBINS' metadata catalogue (http://metadata.naturalsciences.be).

Data Access

http://metadata.naturalsciences.be

Contact

Ronny Schallier, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Science (RBINS)

References

https://odnature.naturalsciences.be/mumm/en/aerial-surveillance/missions

https://odnature.naturalsciences.be/msfd/monitoring/2020/#ANSBE-P23-Contaminants-ship-pollution

Feature

Acute pollution events

Element

Not Applicable

GES Criteria

D8C3 Acute pollution events

Parameter	Extent Duration

Related Indicator

Related Indicator Code	ANS-BE-SLICKS2018
Related Indicator Name	Illegal discharges of MARPOL annex I and II substances
Related Indicator Code	ANS-BE-ACCIDENTS2018
Related Indicator Name	Occurence and extent of significant accute pollution events

ANSBE-P24-Contaminants-seafood-Contaminants in seafood

Programme Code

ANSBE-P24-Contaminants-seafood

Programme Name

Contaminants in seafood

Update Type

Modified from 2014

Programme Description

The programming of control in the food chain is based on a scientifically responsible risk assessment that is translated into concrete inspection and updated annually sampling plans. The risk analysis takes into account the identification of the hazard and the level of adverse effect, the group of products that may be contaminated and the importance of this population and their contribution to the entire food chain contamination (Maudoux et al., 2006). The relevant samples were taken in three Belgian fish mines (Nieuwpoort, Ostend, Zeebrugge) and concern fresh, unprocessed samples that are analysed for the presence of harmful substances.
This programme contributes to environmental targets D9.1 and D9.2. (Former programme ANSBE_D9-Cont-seafood-SP25)

Other Policies Conventions

Foodstuffs Regulation

Regional Cooperation Implementation

Coordinated data collection

Temporal Scope

2014-9999

Spatial Scope

Beyond MS Marine Waters
EEZ (or similar)

Marine Reporting Unit

ANS

Monitoring Purpose

Pressures in the marine environment
Effectiveness of measures

Monitoring Type

Other

Monitoring Details

The samples, relevant in the frame of MSFD, originate from the ICES sub-areas: Southern North Sea (27.4c), Eastern Channel (27.7d) and Western Channel (27.7e), all located within FAO fishing zone 27, North-East Atlantic.

The main purpose of the control plan of the FASFC is guaranty food safety by performing official control in order to check compliance with legislation.

Monitoring Method Other

Method specified for each contaminant in technical data sheets of the FASFC. http://www.favv.be/publications-en/annualreport.asp

Quality Control

Unknown

Data Management

The data is transmitted annually through BMDC's Data Tracking System, which makes it publicly accessible via RBINS' metadata catalogue (http://metadata.naturalsciences.be).

Data Access

http://metadata.naturalsciences.be

Contact

Valerie Vromman, Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FASFC)

References

https://odnature.naturalsciences.be/msfd/monitoring/2020/#ANSBE-P24-Contaminants-seafood

Feature

Contaminants - in seafood

Element

Benzo(a)pyrene

GES Criteria

D9C1 Contaminants in seafood

Parameter	Concentration in biota (total)

Element

Cadmium and its compounds

GES Criteria

D9C1 Contaminants in seafood

Parameter	Concentration in biota (total)

Element

Dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (12 PCB-DLs: 77,81,105,114,118,123,126,156,157,167,169,189)

GES Criteria

D9C1 Contaminants in seafood

Parameter	Concentration in biota (total)

Element

Dioxins and dioxin-like compounds (7 PCDDs + 10 PCDFs + 12 PCB-DLs)

GES Criteria

D9C1 Contaminants in seafood

Parameter	Concentration in biota (total)

Element

Lead and its compounds

GES Criteria

D9C1 Contaminants in seafood

Parameter	Concentration in biota (total)

Element

Mercury and its compounds

GES Criteria

D9C1 Contaminants in seafood

Parameter	Concentration in biota (total)

Element

Non-dioxin like PCB (sum of 6 PCB: 28, 52, 101, 138, 153 and 180)

GES Criteria

D9C1 Contaminants in seafood

Parameter	Concentration in biota (total)

Element

Sum of dioxins (WHO-PCDD/F-TEQ)

GES Criteria

D9C1 Contaminants in seafood

Parameter	Concentration in biota (total)

Element

Sum of benz (a) pyrene, benz (a) anthracene, benzo (b) fluoranthene and chrysene

GES Criteria

D9C1 Contaminants in seafood

Parameter	Concentration in biota (total)

Related Indicator

Related Indicator Code	ANS-BE-CONT-SF218
Related Indicator Name	Contaminants in fish and other seafood for human consumption

ANSBE-P25-Litter-1-beach-Beach litter monitoring

Programme Code

ANSBE-P25-Litter-1-beach

Programme Name

Beach litter monitoring

Update Type

Modified from 2014

Programme Description

Belgian reference beaches are searched four times a year (seasonally) for litter items of which the numbers are noted on monitoring sheets with pre-defined categories following the internationally agreed Guideline for Monitoring Marine Litter on the Beaches in the OSPAR maritime area (2010). Since 2017, monitoring of the two reference beaches is not representative anymore due to the high frequency of beach cleaning. Starting from 2020, a new reference beach at Lombardsijde, which is closed for the public, will be monitored and evaluated.
This monitoring contributes to the evaluation of the environmental  targets D10.1 and D10.2.

Other Policies Conventions

OSPAR Coordinated Environmental Monitoring Programme

Regional Cooperation Implementation

Coordinated data collection

Temporal Scope

2012-9999

Spatial Scope

Coastal waters (WFD)

Marine Reporting Unit

ANS-BE-MS-1

Monitoring Purpose

Pressures in the marine environment

Monitoring Type

In-situ sampling land/beach

Monitoring Details

Existing monitoring between 2002  -  2006 during the summer; restarted 2012 (spring). Monitoring at a new location from 2020 onwards.

Monitoring Method Other

Counting  the number of marine litter items on a selected stretch of beach following the Guideline  for monitoring marine litter on the beaches in the OSPAR Maritime Area.
http://www.ospar.org/documents/dbase/decrecs/agreements/10-02e_beachlitter%20guideline_english%20only.pdf

Quality Control

DelayedValidation

Data Management

The data is reported to OSPAR and transmitted through BMDC's Data Tracking System, which makes it publicly accessible through RBINS' metadata catalogue (http://metadata.naturalsciences.be).

Data Access

http://metadata.naturalsciences.be

Contact

Francis Kerckhof, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Science (RBINS)

References

https://odnature.naturalsciences.be/msfd/monitoring/2020/#ANSBE-P25-Litter-1-beach

Feature

Litter in the environment

Element

Litter in the environment

GES Criteria

D10C1 Litter (excluding micro-litter)

Parameter	Amount on coastline

Related Indicator

Related Indicator Code	OSPAR-ABU_COMP_BLITTER
Related Indicator Name	Beach Litter: Abundance, Composition and Trends

ANSBE-P26-Litter-2-seafloor-Seafloor litter

Programme Code

ANSBE-P26-Litter-2-seafloor

Programme Name

Seafloor litter

Update Type

New programme

Programme Description

This programme aims to monitor litter contamination at the seafloor of the BPNS. Data is collected within the beam trawl survey, see ANSBE-P3-Fish-1-populationfor more details.
This programme contributes to environmental target D10.3.

Other Policies Conventions

OSPAR Coordinated Environmental Monitoring Programme

Regional Cooperation Coordination

OSPAR Other

Regional Cooperation Countries

Belgium
Netherlands
Germany
United Kingdom
France
Sweden
Denmark
Poland

Regional Cooperation Implementation

Coordinated data collection

Temporal Scope

2011-9999

Spatial Scope

Territorial waters
EEZ (or similar)

Marine Reporting Unit

ANS-BE-MS-1

Monitoring Purpose

Pressures in the marine environment

Monitoring Type

In-situ sampling offshore
In-situ sampling coastal

Monitoring Details

Yearly monitoring since 2011, 5 locations per year at the BPNS.

Quality Control

Unknown

Data Management

Currently, all data are stored at ILVO (Smartfish). The data are uploaded to DATRAS, the survey database hosted by ICES, on a yearly basis. This database is an open access source and can be consulted through the website (www.datras.ices.dk).

Data Access

http://www.ices.dk/marine-data/data-portals/Pages/DATRAS.aspx

Contact

Bavo De Witte, Els Torreele, Institute for Agriculture, Fishery and Food research (ILVO)

References

https://odnature.naturalsciences.be/msfd/monitoring/2020/#ANSBE-P26-Litter-2-seafloor

Feature

Litter in the environment

Element

Macrolitter (all)

GES Criteria

D10C1 Litter (excluding micro-litter)

Parameter	Amount on seabed

Related Indicator

Related Indicator Code	ANS-BE-COMP_SPDIST_SFLITTER
Related Indicator Name	Composition and Spatial Distribution of Litter on the Seafloor

ANSBE-P27-Litter-3-Ingested-Monitoring plastics in Northern Fulmars

Programme Code

ANSBE-P27-Litter-3-Ingested

Programme Name

Monitoring plastics in Northern Fulmars

Update Type

Modified from 2014

Programme Description

Since 2002 INBO determines the presence of plastics in the stomachs of beached Northern Fulmars. The specimens are collected during monthly wintersurveys of beached seabirds along the entire Belgian coast. Dissection takes place during international workshops organized by IMARES-Texel or in Belgium under the auspices of trained INBO-personnel. INBO also performs the actual analyses of stomach contents. The data will be used to evaluate the environmental target D10.4: Less than 10 % of the northern fulmars (Noordse stormvogel - Fulmarus glacialis) contain more than 0,1 g plastic in their stomach.
(Former programme ANSBE-D10-Litter-SP28)

Other Policies Conventions

OSPAR Coordinated Environmental Monitoring Programme

Regional Cooperation Coordination

OSPAR

Regional Cooperation Implementation

Coordinated data collection

Temporal Scope

2002-9999

Spatial Scope

Terrestrial part of MS

Marine Reporting Unit

ANS-BE-MS-1

Monitoring Purpose

Environmental state and impacts
Pressures in the marine environment

Monitoring Type

In-situ sampling land/beach

Monitoring Details

Yearly sample size of useful specimens of northern fulmars may highly differ (eg. varied between 1 and 97 between 2001 and 2006). Yearly plastic loads will be reported at the level of OSPAR regions.

Van Franeker, J.A.; Blaize, C.; Danielsen, J.; Fairclough, K.; Gollan, J.; Guse, N.; Hansen, P.-L.; Heubeck, M.; Jensen, J.-K.; Le Guillou, G.; Olsen, B.; Olsen, K.-O.; Pedersen, J.; Stienen, E.W.M.; Turner, D.M. (2011). Monitoring plastic ingestion by the northern fulmar Fulmarus glacialis in the North Sea. Environmental Pollution 159: 2609-2615. dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2011.06.008

Monitoring Method Other

Following OSPAR-EcoQO guidelines (http://qsr2010.ospar.org/media/assessments/EcoQO/EcoQO_P01-16_complete.pdf)

Quality Control

Unknown

Data Management

The data is transmitted annually through BMDC's Data Tracking System, which makes it publicly accessible through RBINS' metadata catalogue (http://metadata.naturalsciences.be).

Data Access

http://metadata.naturalsciences.be

Contact

Eric Stienen, Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO)

References

https://odnature.naturalsciences.be/msfd/monitoring/2020/#ANSBE-P27-Litter-3-Ingested

Feature

Litter in the environment

Element

Macrolitter (all)

GES Criteria

D10C3 Litter ingested

Parameter	Amount in biota (ingested)

Related Indicator

Related Indicator Code	OSPAR-PLASTIC_FUL_STMCHS
Related Indicator Name	Plastic Particles in Fulmar Stomachs in the North Sea

ANSBE-P28-Noise-1-Impulsive-Monitoring of the offshore wind farms: Underwater noise

Programme Code

ANSBE-P28-Noise-1-Impulsive

Programme Name

Monitoring of the offshore wind farms: Underwater noise

Update Type

Modified from 2014

Programme Description

The construction of wind turbines can generate high levels of underwater noise, depending on the technique used. During operational phase of the wind parks that may last for at least 20 years, lower but less known levels will be emitted in the environment. The monitoring, in place from 2008, aims at qualifying and quantifying these levels of underwater sound. Sound pressure, expressed in Pa, will be measured and the result will also be used to quantify the potential impact on marine biota.
This programme contributes to environmental target D11.1. (Former programme ANSBE-D11-Energy-SP29)

Temporal Scope

2008-9999

Spatial Scope

Coastal waters (WFD)
Territorial waters
EEZ (or similar)

Marine Reporting Unit

ANS-BE-MS-1

Monitoring Purpose

Human activities causing the pressures

Monitoring Type

Other

Monitoring Details

Frequency of sampling: irregularly and inside a construction period

Monitoring Method Other

Real time measurements of piling events, post-treatment by home made software.
http://www.hindawi.com/journals/tswj/2013/897624/

Quality Control

Unknown

Data Management

The rules for access rights to the data are determined by the construction and operating permits of the wind farms. The data is transmitted via BMDC's Data Tracking System, which makes it publicly accessible via RBINS' metadata catalogue (http://metadata.naturalsciences.be).

Data Access

http://metadata.naturalsciences.be

Contact

Alain Norro, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Science (RBINS)

References

https://odnature.naturalsciences.be/msfd/monitoring/2020/#ANSBE-P28-Noise-1-Impulsive

Feature

Impulsive sound in water

Element

Not Applicable

GES Criteria

D11C1 Anthropogenic impulsive sound

Parameter	Level of sound

Related Indicator

Related Indicator Code	ANS-BE-SOUND2018
Related Indicator Name	Underwater sound

ANSBE-P29-Noise-2-Ambient-Energy, including underwater noise

Programme Code

ANSBE-P29-Noise-2-Ambient

Programme Name

Energy, including underwater noise

Update Type

Modified from 2014

Programme Description

Data gathering and analysis in relation to MSFD descriptor 11 (Trend in ambient noise)

This programme contributes to the environmental target D11.2. (Former programme ANSBE-D11-Energy-SP30)

Regional Cooperation Coordination

OSPAR

Regional Cooperation Implementation

Agreed data collection methods

Temporal Scope

2018-9999

Spatial Scope

Territorial waters
EEZ (or similar)

Marine Reporting Unit

ANS-BE-MS-1

Monitoring Purpose

Human activities causing the pressures

Monitoring Type

Other

Monitoring Details

1) Start date: 1/1/2018
- Installation of a continuous measurement station at the Westhinder pile
2) Frequency of sampling:  78 kHz

Monitoring Method Other

Recordings obtained from at least 1 moored station inside the BCP.
http://www.hindawi.com/journals/tswj/2013/897624/

Quality Control

Unknown

Data Management

The data is transmitted through BMDC's Data Tracking System, which makes it publicly accessible via RBINS' metadata catalogue (http://metadata.naturalsciences.be).

Data Access

http://metadata.naturalsciences.be

Contact

Alain Norro, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Science (RBINS)

References

https://odnature.naturalsciences.be/msfd/monitoring/2020/#ANSBE-P29-Noise-2-Ambient

Feature

Continuous low frequency sound

Element

Not Applicable

GES Criteria

D11C2 Anthropogenic continuous low-frequency sound

Parameter	Underwater sound level

Related Indicator

Related Indicator Code	ANS-BE-SOUND2018
Related Indicator Name	Underwater sound