Every year, marine scientists and students gather at the VLIZ Marine Science Day (VMSD) in Belgium to exchange ideas and showcase their latest work. This year’s event, attended by over 500 participants, was officially recognised as part of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. Arienne Calonge from the Marine Observation Centre (MOC) was there to present the work of the DEMASK-project.
How vulnerable are fish species to underwater noise?
Arienne attended VMSD with a poster on the vulnerability of North Sea fish species to underwater noise — a collaborative effort by partners from the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ), the IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute (IVL), and the Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research (ITAW). Her presentation focused on work package 3 of the DEMASK project: the development of a vulnerability scoring system, with a particular emphasis on fish species. Sounds plays a vital role in fish behaviour, helping them to navigate, communicate, find food, migrate and reproduce. Unfortunately, increasing human-made noise can disrupt these essential behaviours, leading to stress or behavioural changes.
Connecting with the next generation of marine scientists
This inspiring event brought together over 500 marine scientists and students, providing a platform to showcase exciting research. For Arienne, VMSD was a great opportunity to introduce the DEMASK project and highlight the challenges of assessing species vulnerability in rapidly changing marine environments. The event created space for meaningful conversations with young researchers, curiosity and fresh perspectives. Events like these serve as a reminder that sharing knowledge and building connections are essential for driving innovation and collaboration in marine science.
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