Sea Alarm is a seven years old non-profit organisation based in Brussels (Belgium) dedicated to advance and coordinate professional responses to oiled wildlife contingencies.
The organisation has developed an independent and impartial role and acts amidst of national authorities, maritime transporters, maritime insurers, oil spill responders, the oil industry and the community of wildlife responders, including coastal wildlife centres, oiled wildlife rehabilitation experts, scientists and animal welfare and conservation NGOs.
Sea Alarm’s role is to facilitate and enhance the cooperation between all stakeholders during an oiled wildlife incident, in order to timely and effectively deal with animal welfare issues. Between incidents, Sea Alarm strengthens international networks and assists stakeholders to develop a higher state of preparedness by giving advice, providing information, creating training opportunities and developing tools.
Flanders Marine Institute Management (VLIZ) is the coordination and information platform for marine scientific research in Flanders. The VLIZ is a focal point for marine and coastal-related research and serves as an international contact point. Major activities are the management of the Flanders Marine Data and Information Centre (VMDC), the Infodesk, the Sea Library and the research vessel ‘Zeeleeuw’.
The Management Unit of the Mathematical Model of the North Sea (MUMM) is an indispensable tool for the management of the North Sea. MUMM is a department of the Royal Belgian Institute for Natural Sciences (RBINS).
MUMM monitors the quality of the sea continuously. Water parameters (current, temperature, salinity) are measured automatically on board of the oceanographic vessel “Belgica”. Samples are taken from water, sediment and living organisms. In the laboratory of Ostend, the samples are analysed.
MUMM’s task is to develop mathematical models and use them to predict not only storms, tides and waves, but also the dispersion of oil spills and the effects of sand extraction or dumping of dredged materials.
MUMM manages the sustainable development of the North Sea. MUMM supervises the implementation of national and international conventions and agreements for the protection of the North Sea. MUMM advises the authorities and coordinates the interactions between different public services.
Wildlife Rescue Centre Ostend (Opvangcentrum voor Vogels en Wilde Dieren Oostende)- PRO-Bird Belgium
The Wildlife Rescue Centre Ostend was established in 1984, with the aim to rescue and rehabilitate oiled wildlife. Once established, a variety of animal casualties were admitted and the centre developed into an all round rehabilitation centre for birds and wild animals.
Apart from the care and rehabilitation of wildlife, the centre is active in informing the public about environmental issues. Also is the centre involved in a range of scientific activities. Birds are banded before being released, and corpses of animals that died in the centre are sent to scientific institutions and universities for toxicological research.
The centre is officially recognised by the Flemish Bird Protection League and the Flemish Government, and is the only rehabilitation centre that is located at the Belgian Coast.
In 2003, the Centre was involved in the Tricolor wildlife response and played a key role in the running of a temporary wildlife hospital that received over 4500 oiled birds.