Aktuelles

Due to overfishing, pollution and diseases, the European flat oyster almost completely disappeared from our country. Today there are signs that the species has begun a cautious recovery.

Belgium has taken another important step in the fight against biodiversity loss by officially adopting its National Biodiversity Strategy for 2025-2030, the reference framework for Belgian government actions in favour of nature for the next six years.

Saltmarshes are among nature’s best defenses against rising sea levels. New research shows that dense vegetation on saltmarshes makes them more vulnerable to sea level rise because the vegetation hinders sediment transport.

The updated Belgian Marine Strategy has been published. The document provides a thorough assessment of the state of the marine environment in the Belgian North Sea.

A common dolphin that washed ashore in Burcht on March 7th appeared to have been filmed alive in Hamme on January 31st.

Researchers have demonstrated that a thousand-year-old brown bear suffered from lead poisoning. This discovery represents the earliest evidence of human-caused heavy metal pollution affecting a wild animal. 
 

A combined analysis of aerial observations of marine mammals and shipping data shows that harbour porpoises avoid areas with heavy shipping traffic.

On the 17^th of February 2025, a fin whale was spotted at the C-Power wind farm in Belgian waters. This is the first confirmed sighting, backed by images, of a live individual of this species in Belgium in recent times.

Paleontologists have named a new species of 85-million-year-old fossil crab, found in the Houthalen coal mine, after volunteer Patrick De Saegher. He has been digitizing historical documents for the Institute for twelve years.