Parallel Sessions​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Parallel Sessions 1

[NL, EN slides] Gezond voedsel uit een gezonde Noordzee: een gezamenlijke toekomst voor natuur en duurzame visserij in de Noordzee

Merel den Held - NSF

Nina Fieten – NSF

Jorn Matena – NSF

Alex Ziemba – Deltares

Marnix Poelman – WMR

Wouter van Zandbrink - Schelpdierhandel

In de première van de korte documentaire “Vissen naar de toekomst: natuur en visserij in balans op de Noordzee” volgen we de schelpdiervisserij, pelagische visserij en een natuurbeschermer die hun visie delen op een toekomst waarin natuur en visserij samen kunnen bestaan. Stichting De Noordzee laat met deze film zien dat samenwerking niet alleen mogelijk is, maar ook onmisbaar om te komen tot bescherming, herstel én een bloeiende sector. Deze documentaire is het startpunt voor dialoog, betrokkenheid en samenwerking tussen visserij en natuur. Na de film duiken we dieper de praktijk in. In drie korte presentaties nemen experts uit de schelpdiersector ons mee in de actuele ontwikkelingen rond mosselkweek op de Noordzee. Je hoort meer over innovatieve pilots in windparken, de technische en ecologische kansen van aquacultuur onder dynamische omstandigheden, en de rol van mosselen als duurzaam voedsel uit zee. Samen verkennen we hoe deze sector kan bijdragen aan een gezonde zee én voedselzekerheid. Na afloop van de documentaire en de presentaties is er ruimte voor vragen, uitwisseling van ideeën en verdieping van de verschillende visies die vandaag aan bod komen.

[EN] Beyond Box-Ticking: rethinking ecological knowledge and assessments in offshore wind planning

Alessio Devis - UU

Charlotte Scholten - NIOZ

We invite you to attend the presentation of our first report, "Implementing the Third Renewable Energy Directive in the Netherlands: Legal Challenges and Opportunities for Offshore Wind Energy." An interactive session will follow the presentation. We would like to discuss with you the contested role of environmental assessments and how to improve the use of ecological knowledge in offshore wind management. We hope to see you there!

[EN] Can sand nourishments help reach nature conservation objectives?

Petra Damsma - NSF

Emma Zandt - RWS

We aim to understand the possibilities for achieving improvement objectives from the N2000, bird species, and habitats through sand replenishment. The coastline management process and the coastal ecosystem are explained, and how they come together. Next, the participants discuss dilemma’s and possible improvements with each other.

[NL] Natuurversterking Noordzee

Josien Steenbergen - WMR

Conny Groot - De Rijke Noordzee

Christiaan van Sluis - NSF

Marijke Warnas - Min. LVVN

Vera Bankí - Natuurversterking Noordzee

Hoe bouwen we samen aan een sterk en veerkrachtig Noordzee-ecosysteem? Het programma Natuurversterking Noordzee is een pionierend initiatief dat, bovenop bestaand beleid, zich richt op het versterken van Noordzeenatuur. Zo draagt het bij aan natuurherstel, biodiversiteit en daarmee ook ruimte voor duurzaam gebruik. In onze sessie gaan we dieper in op het belang van de ecosysteem aanpak bij ontwikkelen van projecten. Vanuit een stevige ecologische basis werken we aan “Learning by Doing” projecten, zodat grootschalige uitrol van natuurversterkende maatregelen mogelijk wordt. We lichten toe op welke componenten van het ecosysteem het programma zich richt en waarom. Tijdens het interactief vraaggesprek geven wij inzicht in de huidige projecten, de subsidieregeling die in 2026 op stapel staat en wisselen met elkaar van gedachten over de grootste kansen en uitdagingen. Kom luisteren, meepraten en meedenken over de toekomst van natuurversterking in de Noordzee!

[NL] De noodzaak van ecologische modellering voor de integratie van offshore energiesystemen

Maartje Hofker - Gasunie

Lars Verweij - Witteveen en Bos

Systeemintegratie is een essentiele stap in de realisatie va neen duurzaam en robuust energiesysteem. Gasunie heeft de afgelopen jaren onderzoek gedaan naar de mogelijkheden om systeemintegratie op zee mogelijk te maken. De inzichten en de resultaten hiervan worden door Witteveen & Bos toegelicht.

[NL] Scheepvaartveiligheid in een veranderende Noordzee

Yvonne Koldenhof - MARIN

Kees Storm - RWS

Bas van Son - RWS

RWS en MARIN nemen je mee op een reis langs verschillende ontwikkelingen op de Noordzee en hoe deze de veiligheid van de scheepvaart beïnvloeden. Dit doen we aan de hand van diverse onderzoeken die we in de afgelopen jaren hebben uitgevoerd. Wij zijn ook benieuwd wat de deelnemers vinden van de scheepvaartveiligheid op de Noordzee. Is dit al van voldoende niveau of is extra aandacht nodig?

[EN] WOZEP wind op zee ecological programme: how to evaluate impacts at the base of the foodweb

Edwin Verduin - RWS

Luca van Duren - Deltares

Vedran Petrov - Deltares

Sophie de Reus - NSF

Offshore wind can affect all facets of the North Sea ecosystem. At present we only assess whether the impact of offshore wind on the North Sea ecosystem is within acceptable limits, by evaluating the impact on a limited number of individual species with clear policy targets. During this session, we would like to invite you the join a discussion with stakeholders, scientists and policy makers on setting acceptable levels of impact on primary production and effects on the lower basis of the food chain. Are all changes in primary production or hydrodynamics to be avoided? Or does it depend on the region and timescale whether a change is good or bad? How are changes interpreted and how can these changes be monitored properly?

Parallel Sessions 2

[NL, EN slides] Het aankomende programma van maatregelen voor de EU Kaderrichtlijn Marien

Tina Kelder - Min. IenW

Ilse van de Velde

The status of the marine ecosystem is worrying. As economic activities on land and at sea continue to intensify in the Netherlands and neighboring countries, their (cumulative) impact - combined with the effects of climate change- poses a major challenge to achieving a good environmental status. By the end of 2027, the Dutch government will adopt an updated Programme of Measures under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). Are you interested in learning more about the development process and sharing your perspective? Join this session to help shape new measures and contribute to a well-supported strategy for restoring and protecting our marine environment.

[EN] Space for fish and fisheries

Hans van Oostenbrugge - WSER

Bea Deetman - WSER

Tobias van Kooten - WMR

The development of offshore wind farms and marine conservation areas is closing traditional fishing grounds, forcing fleets to relocate. This interactive session explores the consequences of this fisheries displacement. We will address the issue from multiple angles: the policy context (LVVN), the economic and spatial consequences for the fishing industry (WSER), and the ecological impacts on fish populations (WMR). We want to showcase our integrated approach (including its limitations) and to discuss with participants how it can be refined and enhanced.

[EN] GNSBI and NORSAIC: Tools for International Marine Spatial Planning

David Geurts - Deltares

Nathalie Dees - Deltares

Sharon Tatman - Deltares

During this interactive session, participants will be introduced to the Greater North Sea Basin Initiative (GNSBI) and the NORSAIC project. The GNSBI will provide an up-to-date overview of the progress in international cooperation on Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) in the North Sea. The NORSAIC project will present the NORSAIC North Sea Compendium, an innovative tool developed to strengthen governance around MSP in the North Sea. Participants will carry out a short exercise and provide feedback on the tool. This input will be used to further develop the Compendium.

[EN] Tag it to share it: harmonizing ecological data labelling for AI applications

Maria Sokolova - WUR

Afra Asjes - WUR

Dick van Oevelen - NIOZ

Willem Renema - Naturalis

Bas Binnerts - TNO

Joep Breuer - TNO

Join us for an interactive session on harmonizing ecological data labelling for AI applications.We will explore how shared standards can make data exchange between institutes smoother and more impactful. Discover best practices, tackle challenges together, and shape a common language for ecological data. Your input will help build the foundations for more connected and powerful research.

[EN] NiD4Ocean project: developing impact assessments and frameworks for Nature inclusive design of offshore wind farms

Sophie de Reus - NSF

Luca van Duren - Deltares

Vedran Petrov - Deltares

In this interactive session we will give you an update of the EU Horizon project; NiD4ocean. Together with partners from the Northern North Sea, the Baltic Sea and the Mediterranean Sea we map NiDs and develop impact assessment metrics and frameworks. Please join us if you want to give you input about habitat and species traits of indicators for NiDs in offshore wind farms, and your input about socio-economic and social  - political impact of NiDs inf offshore wind farms.

[EN] Security at Sea

Remco Hageman - MARIN

Casper Bosschaart - TNO

The North Sea is vital to our national prosperity and security. In light of increasing geopolitical tensions, it is essential to enhance our understanding and awareness of threats to seabed and offshore infrastructure. Due to the vast size of the Dutch waters in the North Sea and the large extent of the infrastructure, a key challenge is to direct limited resources to build situational awareness in the most effective way. Investment decisions in sensor systems must be guided by risk-based prioritization. Unmanned systems offer new capabilities for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and direct intervention. Their deployment strengthens threat mitigation and enhances maritime situational awareness.

[EN] Integrated aspects of offshore wind, NWO project NoRegrets

Myron Peck - NIOZ

Pim Somers - NSF

Joop Coolen - WMR

Luca van Duren - Deltares

This session is dedicated to introducing and getting feedback on the new, large-scale NWO project NO-REGRETS. The project takes a ‘whole of ecosystem’ approach to studying the ecological impacts of offshore wind farms within and beyond the Dutch EEZ. The program runs from 2025 to 2031 and several research cruises are planned in 2026 and 2027. After a brief introduction to the project, participants in this session will help us chart the course of NO-REGRETS. We value your feedback on: 1) our cruise plans and measurement platforms, 2) synergies with other previous, ongoing or upcoming projects, and 3) stakeholder engagement methods and opportunities.

Parallel Sessions 3

[EN] MONS model train: integrating knowledge to enable predictions

Tobias van Kooten - WMR

Anouk Blauw - Deltares

Anieke van Leeuwen - NIOZ

MONS investigates the impacts of the three major transitions in the North Sea: energy, nature and food. This requires understanding of all interacting processes from physics to fish, birds, and fisheries. The MONS model train project develops a modelling framework for MONS, to supplement and integrate other MONS studies and enable the evaluation of future scenarios. This session will present the plans, collect feedback and connect to other initiatives.

[EN] Long-term offshore metocean modelling  in support of the Energy Transition

Sofia Caires - Deltares

Remco Verzijlbergh - Whiffe

Erik-Jan de Ridder - MARIN

The objective of this session is to make the audience aware of the North Sea offshore accurate wave data needs and running efforts in producing and disseminating such data for enhanced North Sea understanding and safety. We show three products: NWECS, The long-term North Sea wave dataset of Deltares; WHAM, a Coupled Atmosphere – Hydrodynamics – Wave Model development by Whiffle, and OWD, The offshore wind dashboard for cost effective and safe offshore maintenance and operation by MARIN.

[EN] Collaboration to minimise bycatch of Endangered, Threatened and Protected species: CIBBRiNA at work

Anne-Marie Svoboda - Min. LVVN

Merel den Held - NSF

Marije Siemensma - Min. LVVN

Niels Hintzen - CS8 PFA

This workshop has the aim to inform, inspire and make people think. We will demonstrate how ‘worldviews’ – the way people perceive the world – differ from person to person, and how this plays a crucial role in tackling challenges such as bycatch of ETP species. After this we will deep-dive into the LIFE CIBBRiNA project: a powerful approach to really involve stakeholders. Lastly we share valuable lessons and insights from Dutch case studies, CIBBRiNA put into practice.

[NL] Cumulative impact assessment – let’s talk about common principles in an international context

Mareike Erfeling - RWS

Peter Heslenfeld - RWS

Jelle Rienstra - Deltares

Gerjan Piet - WMR

There is an urgency for cumulative impact assessment on the (international) North Sea. During the session we will discuss this urgency, give an update on relevant projects and activities, present the OSPAR Bird pilot and finally discuss the next steps of method development and use of results by policy.

[EN] The Integrated Approach to the Caribbean Netherlands; from Source to Sea

Maaike Maarse - Deltares

Luuk v.d. Heijden - Deltares

Gulsah Dogruer - WMR

Maarten Heijnen - Min. IenW

Vesna Bertoncelj - NIOZ

Choose your most tropical outfit and imagine yourself on a beach with a coconut in your hand. After a brief introduction, various institutes (Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management/RWS, Deltares, WMR, and NIOZ) will guide you through the activities, research, problems, and changes in the Caribbean Netherlands. These presentations will be followed by an interactive session in which we aim to gather input from participants through a poster carousel. Each poster features a specific island within the Caribbean Netherlands, outlining the ongoing research, problems, and gaps within these two islands. This will provide an overview of the focus, overlap, and gaps in the knowledge agenda, and where they can potentially be addressed. Because the future of the Caribbean matters also.

[EN] Decommissioning and circularity of offshore energy production

Anne-Mette Jorgensen - Eco-effective Strategies

Pim Somers - NSF

Harald van der Mijle Meier - TNO

The session discusses how decommissioning offshore oil, gas, and wind installations in the North Sea can impact biodiversity. It explores different end-of life options for construction parts that benefit marine life.  It considers various end-of-life options for structures that support underwater life, weighing the benefits and drawbacks of full versus partial removal. Full removal can improve safety and enable recycling, but may also disrupt valuable habitats, while partial removal under strict conditions could help maintain biodiversity if carefully managed. Join us to explore real-world dilemmas, innovative solutions, limitations and the latest thinking on making decommissioning work now and in the future

[EN] EDITO European Digital Twin Ocean: How it adds value and resilience to the North Sea

Felix Dols - Deltares

Lörinc Mészáros - Deltares

The pan-European collaboration EDITO (European Digital Twin Ocean) makes coastal and ocean modelling more accessible. EDITO builds upon public data lakes, such as EMODnet and CMEMS and adds on- demand computation with a large amount of coastal and ocean models, both physics-based and AI-based. Enabling users to get the information they need, of the coastal- or offshore region of interest. This presentation aims to showcase the current and potential added value of EDITO for a valuable and resilient North Sea.