DegradationThematic

ESAWaterAccounts

2010-2010

1991-2010

Thematic Approach as described in the guidance document of the working group ESA.

'The Thematic approach analyses the present costs, expenses and benefits related to the degradation of the marine environment.This includes accounting costs which refer to current expenditures on measures for environmental protection and environmental prevention; abatement costs and transaction costs, as well as opportunity costs that relate to the loss of benefits for activities that suffer from environmental degradation. Belgium had the intention to integrate four cost categories to calculate its cost of degradation: 1. Prevention costs 2. Mitigation costs 3. Governance costs 4. Opportunity costs However, in practice (based on the results of an expert workshop) this was not feasible. In the ESA national report the actual costs of the measures have therefore been identified, leading to the actual environmental status. In order to estimate the total cost of marine degradation additional 'restoration costs‘ need to be further taken into account as well, so the Good Environmental Status can be achieved (currently not done).

Fisheries

MiningSandGravel

CablesPipelines

Defence

Dredging

DumpingMunitions

LandClaimDefence

RenewableEnergy

ResearchSurvey

Shipping

TourismRecreation

Aquaculture

Ports

SolidWasteDisposal

Wrecks and wreck salvage

Anchorage area and places of refuge

Nature Protection

The Belgian fishing territory covers 3.478 km², from which 1.430 km² Territorial Sea. Fishing grounds are historically dispersed as well as remotely located: the North Sea, English Channel, Bay of Biscay, Western Waters, Celtic and Irish Sea. The fishing territory is remotely located from Belgian harbors. The Belgian fishing fleet is divided into two sub fleets, based on the engine power of the vessels: 1) A small feet segment (SFS) (max. 221 kW (300pk) (incl. coastal vessels, Eurocutters (beam trawl), other small vessels); 2) A large fleet segment (LFS) (>221 kW (300pk) (large beam trawlers, other large vessels).

Sand extraction - and to a lesser extent gravel extraction - carried out in the Belgian Continental Shelf is restricted to certain areas. Four control zones have been defined, divided into sectors, for which a concession can be granted: Sectors 1a (Thorntonbank), 2c and 3a are all year long for exploitation; Sector 1b (Gootebank) is open for exploitation in March, April and May; Sectors 2a and 2b are open for exploitation alternately for a period of 3 years (Kwintebank, Buiten Ratel and Oost Dyck); Sector 3b is closed for extraction, as long as the sector remains a dumping site for dredging material; Sectors 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d are all year long open for exploitation. Extraordinary, concessions can be issued outside these zones for scientific purposes or in the general interest.

Cables are used for telecommunication and energy purposes and pipelines for gas transportation. The total length of telecommunication cables is 914 km: 16 cables are being used (718 km), and 11 cables are not in use (196 km). There are 3 gas pipelines on the BPNS with a total length of 163 km: 1) Interconnector: between Bacton on the southern coast of the United Kingdom and Zeebrugge; 2) Zeepipe: between the Sleipner area on the Norwegian continental shelf and the Distrigaz terminal in Zeebrugge; 3) Norfra or Franpipe: between the Norwegian continental shelf and Dunkirk on the northern coast of France.

Military exercises are held on land (beach) and at sea, covering a large part of the BPNS. The exercises can be categorized into different sub-uses according to the zone in which they are executed and to the military component that is responsible for them. The most important military exercises taking place in the marine environment are: 1) Shooting exercises direct seawards from land; 2) Shooting exercises at sea at floating targets; 3) Amphibian exercises to train survival performance of Air Force Pilots; 4) Detonation of war ammunitions (mining exercises). Detonation exercises are held north of the anchor area Westhinder since 2001. As detonation of mines during training is prohibited, training mines are being used. Real ammunitions that need to be swept, are brought to this area to be detonated. There are no limitations on the number of detonations per year and the area can be used all year long. After exercising, mines are swept. Mining exercises can be divided into two categories: - Defensive mining, simulating a war situation whereby a strategic place needs to be defended against enemies. - Offensive mining, simulating a war situation whereby enemies try to put mines by the enemy. Mines can also be dropped by aircraft of small fishing boats. Once per 2 years NATO holds extensive international large-scale naval exercises. The defensive or offensive mining exercises consist of placing mines and in a second stage, locating and sweeping mines.

Two types of dredging activities exist: captial dredging activities for construction, deepening and broadening of ports and second, maintenance dredging in order to maintain the required depth to maritime access routes and Flemish coastal ports (Zeebrugge, Ostend, Nieuwpoort and Blankenberge). Maintenance dredging is executed all year long by 3 to 4 trailing suction hopper dredgers. Maintenance dredging in fishing harbours and marinas is taking place before and just after the coastal tourist period. Dredging in the BPNS is the responsibility of the Flemish Region.

In 1919, after the First World War, the Belgian Government decided to dump ca. 35.000 ton German military ammunition in the BPNS. For a period of 6 months, the ammunition was disposed on a daily basis on the sand flat ‘the Paardenmarkt’, circa 1 km offshore, near Duinbergen. Since ’70 it is forbidden to fish or to anchor in this area, first corresponding to 1,5 km² and then to 3 km² in ’80 when the area was enlarged. The exact number of ammunition is not known. It is estimated that about 35.000 ton was dumped. The number of toxic ammunitions, containing yperite (60%), (di)phosgene (20%) and clark (11%), is estimated at 20 to 30%. Most of the ammunition is burried under sediment, mainly due to the construction of the outer port of Zeebrugge, and does not pose a danger. Therefore the Government has decided that the ammunition will remain at place.

There is a growing demand for sand for coastal defence purposes. In the next 10 years 20 million m³ will be extracted for sand suppletion purposes within the master plan for Flanders future coastal safety. Another element influencing the future development is demand for sand due to large infrastructural and/or land reclamation projects. Coastal Division has granted a concession for the extraction of 1.650.000 m³ sand for the period 01/01/2010–31/12/2012. The total requested amount over a period of 10 years is 35 million m³ or on average 3,5 million m³ annually. In 2010–2020, 20 million m³ or 57% is requested by Coastal Division (Flemish government), 12 million m³ or 34% by Zeegra vzw and 3 million m³ or 9% by Maritime Access Division (Flemish government).

In the BPNS a zone has been designated for the development of wind energy. C-Power (located on the Thornton Bank, 27 km off shore and covering 18 km²) and Belwind (located on Blighbank, 46 km off shore and covering 35,4 km²) are operational, having received a domain concession and an environmental permit. Northwind and Norther received both a domain concession and an environmental permit, but are not yet operational. Three other companies, Rentel, Seastar and Mermaid received a concession, but still have to apply for an environmental permit.

Belgium is a federal country composed of 7 federated authorities: the Federal State, the three regions and three communities. Each authority has competence in research and innovation. The total Belgian contribution to marine research is estimated at 51,69 M€ per year. In 2009, 106 groups or 1.420 persons performed marine and coastal research. The largest share of research is executed by universities. Scientific research is performed by two vessels: 'R/V Belgica' and 'R/V Zeeleeuw'.

Commercial shipping is bound to specific routing systems (West-East bound): 1) Noordhinder Traffic Seperation Scheme (TSS): used by ships travelling from and to European ports in the southern part of the North Sea and the Baltic Sean, entering or leaving the North Sea via the English Channel ; 2) Westhinder TSS: used by ships travelling from and to ports in Belgium and ports along the Westerscheldt estuary. This main shipping lane is situated north of the Oostdyck sublittoral sandbank and also covers a refuge area in the north. The TSS finds its origin at the end of the Strait of Dover, adjacent to Dunkerk, and leads all the way into the Belgian territorial sea. 91% of the voyages head towards the Scheldt (or opposite direction). Other destinations are the harbor of Ostend and the Netherlands cover a small fraction ; 3) Shortsea shipping (south of the Westhinder TSS) and cross channel shipping (incl. ferry traffic) between Belgian ports and the UK. Fishing boats or recreational vessels are not considered under this category. 4 harbours are considered for maritime transport: Oostende, Zeebrugge, Gent, Antwerpen.

The Belgian coastline (66 km) offers several touristic-recreative attractions: housing, restaurants, shopping, attractions and musea, soft recreation (walking, (mountain)biking, horse riding), golf and MICE-tourism. In 2009, there were 5 million arrivals and 31,4 million overnight stays. Water recreation can be divided into three sub activities: 1) Non-motorised recreation: water activities where no engine is involved like windsurfing, kite-surfing, sailing, wave surfing, rafting, sea kayak/canoe ; 2) Motorised recreation: water activities where the intensive use of an engine is involved; further subdivided into: speed navigation and recreational navigation ; 3) Angling at sea: recreational fishery from a boat. In 2009 the coast counts 26 water sport clubs of which 19 are beach clubs offering a diversity of water- and beach activities like windsurfing, kite surfing, parasailing, catamaran and sailing. The Belgian coast counts 12 yacht clubs, offering approximately 3.356 mooring places located in 4 marinas at Nieuwpoort, Ostend, Blankenberge and Zeebrugge in 2009. The marina in Nieuwpoort, offering 2.000 mooring places, is the largest port in Belgium and the second largest in north-west Europe (after La Rochelle in France).

Mariculture in Belgium is restricted to the cultivation of mussels (using ropes attached in cages in sea). In 2005, a permit was granted by ministerial decree for the production of bivalve molluscs in the four zones of the North Sea. In the period 2006-2009 SDVO (Stichting voor Duurzame Visserijontwikkeling) started the off-shore suspended cultivation of mussels, with financial support from the Belgian government, European support by FIOV/FIVA and scientific assistance from ILVO. The objective was the commercialization of the Belgian suspended cultivation of mussels.

Most of the dredged material is dumped back at sea. When the dredged material contains mainly sand (50.000 – 100.000 TDS per year), the sand can be used for beach nourishment, i.e. ―beneficial use. Dredged material disposal is dumped on these particular dumpsites: S1, S2, Bruggen en Wegen Zeebrugge, Bruggen en Wegen Oostende, Nieuwpoort.

The BPNS counts many ship wrecks and it is likely that shipping accidents will occur in the future. http://www.vlaamsehydrografie.be/wrakkendatabank.htm gives an overview of the detected wrecks in the BNPS.

The Westhinder Anchorage area is determined as the place of refuge. NE Akkaert Anchorage and AZ Anchorage are emergency anchorage areas, in case Westhinder anchorage would not be available. Ostend en Zeebrugge are two ports of refuge

In 2005, three zones have been designated as Special Protection Area (Royal Decree of 14 October 2005): SBZ 1 (Koksijde- 110,01 km²), SBZ 2 (Oostende- 144,80 km²), SBZ 3 (Zeebrugge- 57,71 km²). In 2005, two zones have been designated as Special Areas of Conservation (Royal Decree of 14 October 2005): H1 Trapegeer-Stroombank (181,00 km²) and H2 Vlakte van de Raan (19,17 km²). In 2010 the future SAC ― 'Vlaamse Banken' was notified to the European Commission. ( The Vlaamse Banken area is officially designated as MPA by Belgian Royal Decree (16/10/2012)) This site was selected for the protection of the habitat type 1110 and 1170 and for the following species: common seal and twaite shad. This site with an area of ca 1000 km² extends the current SAC ― 'Trapegeer Stroombank'.

75-100%

5-25%

Unknown_NotAssessed

25-50%

1-5%

lessthan1%

Unknown_NotAssessed

1-5%

75-100%

5-25%

Unknown_NotAssessed

lessthan1%

Unknown_NotAssessed

Unknown_NotAssessed

Unknown_NotAssessed

lessthan1%

25-50%

High

High

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High

High

High

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High

High

High

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High

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High

High

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Total turnover peaked in 2006 with 81,7 million €. Since, turnover is decreasing. The total turnover in 2009 was 59,2 million € or a decrease by 11% compared to 2008. The average turnover per sailing day shows the same pattern. In 2006, the average turnover per sailing day was 4.550 € and since decreased by ca. 14% to 3.920 €. These figures exceed the borders of the Belgian Continental Shelf. Only a fraction (mainly coastal fisheries) concerns the BPNS.

Following figures are dated, covering the period 1998–2002. However, according to Zeegra, the sector has remained stable. In the period 2002-2010, two new terminals were established in Ostend. Nevertheless, this did not lead to an increase in aggregate extraction, as it can be considered as a shift. In the period 1998–2002 turnover grew by 45,4% up to ca. 265 million € in 2002 (19 companies).

Turnover in the Belgian part of the North Sea and its coastal ports can be estimated by the budget for capital and maintenance dredging. In 2000–2001 turnover was ca. 57 million €. Turnover has increased due to additional capital dredging.

Total turnover peaked in 2008 with 416,6 million €. As a consequence of the financial and economic crisis, turnover decreased in 2009 by 7,6% to 387,1 million €. In 2010, total turnover recovered to 404 million €.

Production value (€ million): 81,7 (2006) 59,2 (2009)

Production value (€ million): 265 (2002)

Unknown_NotAssessed

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Production vallue (€ million): 57 (2000-2001)

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Production value (€ million): 404 (2010)

Unknown_NotAssessed

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Unknown_NotAssessed

Unknown_NotAssessed

Moderate

Moderate

NotRelevant

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Moderate

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Moderate

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The gross added value of the fisheries sector – in terms of production - accounts for 0,04% of the Gross National Product, whereas in the agricultural sector it equals 1,9%(Visserijfonds, p. 4). According to the financial statements of 138 companies, collected by the National Bank of Belgium, the added value in 2008 was 24,6 million €. 110 companies generated a positive added value, whereas 28 companies did not.

Added value is realized through: concession rights ; mooring and embankment dues, per ton ; excise duties on fuel ; VAT-revenues and fees). In 2002 the added value of the 22 companies was 31,2 million €, or an increase of 74,4% compared to 1998.

Total added value has grown by 32,3 % from 22 billion € in 2003 to 29,1 billion € in 2008, corresponding to an annual average increase of 5,5 %.

Added value (€ million): 24,6 (2008)

Added value (€ million): 31,2 (2002)

Unknown_NotAssessed

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Added value (€ million): 29,137 (2008)

Added value (€ million): Marinas: 27 (in 2009)

Unknown_NotAssessed

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Unknown_NotAssessed

Moderate

Moderate

NotRelevant

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Moderate

Moderate

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Employment in the Belgian fishery can be divided into two segments: the fishing industry and the fish processing industry. The Belgian fishery employs on average 2.500 people. Derived activities employ ca. 5.000 people. In 2007 1.350 people worked in the fish processing industry, from which 70% are laborers and 30% employees. 82% of the employment is located in Flanders and 18% in Wallonia. 52% of the workplace is taken in by men, whereas 48% by women.

Aggregate extraction generates direct employment as well as indirect employment, such as subcontractors, transporters, crew ships, pilotage, customs, shipment repair and the building sector. Employment has risen by 18,5% from 249 employees in 1998 to 295 in 2002. In 2002 the majority (39%) was employed in West-Flanders, 26% in East-Flanders and 28% in Antwerp. In the period 1998 – 2002 the size of the companies has increased. In 1998 50% of the companies were small (< 5 employees), employing 8%, whereas in 2002 this was 36%, employing 6%. In 2002 5% of the companies were large (≥ 50 employees), employing 25%.

Dredging activities in the BPNS create jobs mainly in the private sector. In 1984–2005 dredging activities were carried out by the Temporary Union of dredgers “Noordzee en Kust”, comprised of Dredging International NV, Jan De Nul NV and Decloedt & Zonen NV. Since, dredging activities are being called for tenders. The union is an important source to estimate employment. However, two remarks need to be made. First, companies carry out other activities than dredging, such as aggregate extraction and other additional activities. Second, companies do not only operate in the BPNS. This means that employment, generated by dredging activities, can not be correctly estimated. A survey with dredging companies, operating on the Belgian part of the North Sea, was performed. The survey resulted in 240 employees, from which 65% work on board and 35% are staff officers, employed in the workshop or on shore.

In 2009, 106 groups or 1.420 persons performed marine and coastal research. The largest share of research is executed by universities.

Total employment has risen by 10,2 % from 235,7 thousand in 2003 to 259,8 thousand in 2008, corresponding to an annual average growth of 1,7 %. The Port of Antwerp accounts for the largest share: 60 % in 2008. In 2008, the Port of Ghent contributed 26 %, the Port of Zeebrugge 10 % and the Port of Ostend 4 %.

Employment (*1000 FTE): 2,5

Employment (*1000 FTE): 0,249 (1998) 0,295 (2002)

Unknown_NotAssessed

Unknown_NotAssessed

Employment (*1000 FTE): 0,240

Unknown_NotAssessed

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Employment (*1000 FTE): 1,42 (2009)

Employment (*1000 FTE): 259,8 (2008)

Unknown_NotAssessed

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Unknown_NotAssessed

Moderate

Moderate

NotRelevant

NotRelevant

Moderate

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Moderate

Moderate

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Fishing quota

Extracted volume

Fishing quota are generally decreasing, as a result of slinking fish stocks due to overfishing. In this period the quota of cods have been reduced by 76%, to 1.200 ton, plaice by 32% to 4.500 ton and sol by 20% to 3.560 ton. The quota of herring has remained stable at 7.100 ton, despite a peak in 2002 – 2007 at 9.700 ton and the quota of sea devil has increased by 46% to 3.600 ton.

In 1976 29.000 million m³ sand and gravel was extracted, increasing to ca. 2,18 million m³ in 2010. Until 1988 extraction was constant at ca. 0,5 million m³, increasing steadily since. In 1997 almost 3,9 million m³ was extracted, due to the installation of new gas pipelines Interconnector and NorFra in the BPNS. The peak in 1991 was also due to the construction of submarine pipelines for gas.

Fishing quota

Extracted volume: 2,18 million m³

Moderate

Moderate

Fuel price

Fuel price (and consumption) is an important share in the total cost, determining the profitability. Unlike other economies, fisheries are unable to recoup increasing costs in selling prices, as prices are established by the market (as a result of demand and supply). Fuel consumption is determined by the size and type of the vessel, as well as by the fishing technique. Large beam trawlers consume 4.500–6.000 liter per 24 hour, while eurocutters 1.800 liter and coastal vessels 600 liter. In 2009 fuel consumption accounted for 20% of the turnover of vessels in the small fleet segment and 28% in case of large beam trawlers. In 2008 the share was respectively 30% and 42%. This trend corresponds to the evolution of average gas oil prices. Fuel cost per kg landed fish has risen by 100% over 5 years (2003-2007).

Fuel price

Moderate

Landings

Since ’55 the total supply of fish plummeted from 72.000 ton to 26.000 ton in 2000, corresponding to a decrease of 64%. The amount of landings is still decreasing to less than 20.000 ton in 2009. Reasons are decreasing quota, decreasing profitability, decreasing number of vessels and increasing operating costs. The overall share of fish landings is offered to Belgian harbors, with an average of 81%. In the period 1950–2000 a significant increase in fish landings to foreign harbors can be noted from 0% to 34% in 2000. Since the share has decreased to 17% in 2009. The Netherlands are the major market, with 2.783 ton in 2009, or 86% of total landings of Belgian vessels in foreign harbors. France and Great-Britain are two upcoming markets, as a result of selective fishing on scallops.

Fish landings: 20.000 ton in 2009

Moderate

Three important annotations need to be made. First, it needs to be noted that the Belgian fishery sector is situated in a large extend outside the Belgian Continental Shelf. Only a small part of the Belgian sea fishery – i.e. coastal fishing - is located in the Belgian part of the North Sea. This means that the socio-economic data does not cover the BPNS and so are not representative for the BPNS. Second, other fisheries (i.e. French and Dutch), exploiting the Belgian part of the North Sea, are not included in the analysis. Finally, the analysis only refers to commercial fishing, making abstraction of recreative fishing – despite the increasing practice and related issues. In 2009 the Belgian sea fishing fleet included 89 vessels: 47 vessels in the small fleet segment and 42 vessels in the large fleet segment. Compared to 2008, a reduction of 11 vessels can be noted. Seven large beam trawlers have been scrapped, and 4 vessels went bankrupt, reducing total capacity to 51.590 kW and 16.048 GT.

There is a growing demand for sand for coastal defence purposes. In the next 10 years 20 million m³ will be extracted for sand suppletion purposes within the master plan for Flanders future coastal safety (57% of total demand for 2010-2020 requested by Coastal Division (Flemish government)). In addition in 2010 – 2020, 12 million m³ or 34 % by Zeegra vzw and 3 million m³ or 9 % by Maritime Access Division (Flemish government).

No data available on added value dredging. In 2000 – 2001 turnover was ca. 57 million €. Turnover has increased due to additional capital dredging. Employment, generated by dredging activities, can not be correctly estimated: 1) companies carry out other activities than dredging, such as aggregate extraction and other additional activities; 2) companies do not only operate in the BPNS.

No figures about added value found in ESA report, only about turnover (€): C-Power €150,399 (in 2009) Belwind € 46,589,951 (in 2009) The area for renewable energy is 238 km². Considering that the designated area would be converted to a wind farm with a capacity density of 10 MW/km², this would result in an installed wind energy capacity of 21 GW. However, the current electricity network can not process more than 0,5 GW. This means that the electricity grid would need to be expanded and amplified.

Only general information about 3 important factors to consider for growth in tourism. No future plans specified for Belgium. Turnover figures were given for some activities, but figures about added value were only available for marinas.

According to the National Strategic and Operational Programme 2007-2013, 2 mariculture companies can be established, producing 1.500 ton per year, creating 20 job opportunities. Latest status (2013): All zones and activities are currently suspended.

ExtractSpeciesFishShellfish-0

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IntroHazSubstOther-0

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