VLIZ has moved to Innovocean campus

More than 20 million euros have been invested in the new building, which will become one of the leading scientific marine institutes in Europe in the coming years. Jan Mees, director of the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ): “It is a beautiful building for our more than 130 employees, our team and our international partners. Unesco, The forum for marine sciences European Marine Board, also a part of the people from the province of West Flanders and from ILVO fisheries will also be housed in this building.

This is also where our country’s only public marine library will be located. Everything here is about scientific research, about building knowledge around the sea and strengthening the marine knowledge region that is Flanders. “We do that by creating synergies, by putting people together in a very open building with few barriers, so that people can come into contact with each other.”

Oceans and seas are becoming increasingly important in the changing climate. VLIZ in Ostend must ensure cross-pollination between the various scientific studies.