Scientific Service Management Unit of the Mathematical Model of the North Sea

The North Sea is a sensitive ecosystem which is under considerable pressure from intensive human activity such as sand and gravel extraction, dumping of dredged material, wind farming, fishing, shipping, oil and gas extraction, tourism. The North Sea is surrounded by densely populated and highly industrialised nations. The section along the Belgian coast is no exception. Human activities clearly have an impact on the Belgian part of the North Sea. In the knowledge that we cannot possibly disregard human activities when it comes to managing our section of the North Sea, we must endeavour to strike a balance between these activities and the protection of the marine environment. The Scientific Service Management Unit of the Mathematical Model of the North Sea, of the OD Nature, is responsible for the following topics in Belgium:

• Sand and gravel extraction
• Dumping of dredged material
• Wind farms at sea
• Munition deposit Paardenmarkt
• Marine Strategy Framework Directive
• Water Framework Directive
• Belgian aerial surveillance at sea
• Aquaculture

MUMM comprises a team of people motivated by the need to improve knowledge of the North Sea and provide scientific marine services for those concerned.