Information about the sources of plastic litter found in the Zeeuwse Delta is still scarce. This problem is addressed by this study with the aim to identify the possible sources of plastics that washed ashore on a selection of beaches in the Zeeuwse Delta. For this study the source and origin of the …

Salt marshes are known to be an important habitat type for numerous species of fish. As fish stocks are pressured around the world, providing them with suitable habitat is very important. Through managed realignments or tidal restoration, intertidal salt marshes are created or restored. Which fish use …

This study shows that the main predation pressure in the Dutch Wadden Sea is found to be on calanoid copepods, being the main prey item of C. harengus, A. tobianus, C. edulis, A. aurita and M. leidyi. Bivalve veligers are also found to be widely ingested by predator species, with the main predators being …

In light of recent developments of the onboard ballast water treatment, WMR has developed a new protocol for the assessment of ecotoxicological effects and aims to use it as a standardised test. This study looks into the validation of this short-chronic ELS fish toxicity test, by use of the embryonic …

Coral reefs have been in decline over the past decades. This has greatly increased the need for restorative measures. The islands of Saba and St. Eustatius, two special Dutch municipalities in the Dutch Caribbean, are not exempt to this decline. The Saba Conservation Foundation and St. Eustatius National …

De bijvangst van ondermaatse grijze garnalen (Crangon crangon) vormt een probleem voor de garnalenvisserij in de kustzones van Nederland, Duitsland en Denemarken, die voornamelijk vist in beschermde gebieden. De grote visserijdruk op ondermaatse garnaal heeft geleid tot verschillende problemen, waaronder …

This thesis research aimed to answer the question whether Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) data of humpback whales can improve management of the Yarari Marine Mammal Sanctuary in the Dutch Caribbean. This study looks at data recorded on the Saba Bank from December 2016 until April 2017. The PAM data …

Coastal lagoon ecosystems are transitional waters, that provide important ecological features and deliver valuable services to mankind. However, due to their geographical positioning at the coast line and physical restrictions, coastal lagoon ecosystems are highly vulnerable towards environmental and …

It has been widely recognized that the rapidly increasing amounts of marine plastic debris are causing problems. However, current studies are mainly focused on the presence and effects of macroplastic and often do not consider microplastic. WMR has conducted research on microplastic uptake by North Sea …

Coastal soft-sediment habitats are some of the most valued ecosystems due to their high productivity, sustaining coastal food webs. However, coastal soft-sediment habitats are under pressure due to human activity and sea level rise. To preserve or restore soft-sediment habitats different management strategies …