North Sea and, more intensively, the Southern Bight and Belgium's area of jurisdiction.

Bird counts; Seal abundance; Pollution events; Fishery characterisation; Macroalgae generic abundance in water bodies; Transport activity; Industrial activity; Coastal geomorphology; Cetacean abundance

Belgian Marine Environmental Control (BELMEC) is a programme run by MUMM on behalf of the Belgian Government for the purpose of assessing the state of the marine environment and of acquiring the data and evidence necessary for prosecuting the violators of environmental protection regulations. This programme makes use of B-N. Islander aircraft of the Belgian Army, one of which is equipped with remote-sensing instrumentation, to patrol the North Sea on a regular basis. All sensors are integrated and data-annotated. Flight schedules are kept confidential. 250 hours of observation per year (approximately). Pollutions are detected with SLAR and are fully documented with the other sensors/recorders. Volume estimations follow the agreed colour code (Bonn Agreement). Other marine phenomena (shipping accidents, algal blooms, fishing activities, marine recreation, shore processes, bird concentrations) are documented using the same instrumentation.

Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Operational Directorate Natural Environment, Belgian Marine Data Centre
Vautierstraat 29
Brussels

1000
Belgium