The Netherlands is a densely populated and economically developed country. Coastal areas are important for aquaculture, agriculture, harbors, and urban development. Coastal habitats mainly exist on the south Delta coast and the north Wadden sea, hosting a great biological diversity. The Netherlands had …

The experimental fishing method of pulse trawling was initially developed to decrease fuel consumption rates of flatfish fisheries in the North Sea targeting common sole (Solea solea). By replacing tickler chains with electrodes, the targeted fish is immobilised until it enters the net by using electrical …

Electric pulse fishing is a very promising and innovative solution instead of using tickler chains such as beam trawling, to enable the catch flat fish. Bottom-trawling activities on the marine ecosystem cause the scrape of the surface or dig into the seabed. The penetration of the gears produce the …

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 …

The seeding of mussel seeds is an important factor within the mussel culture as losses can be as high as 75% within the first 4 weeks after seeding. Therefore it is important to get more knowledge about the factors that can cause mortality within the first weeks after seeding. With seeding high local …

Daily life is greatly influenced by fossil fuels. New technological inventions and the reduction of the ice coverage due to climate change makes it possible for humans to be present and undertake activities, such as gathering oil in previously inaccessible areas like the North Pole (Sagerup, Nahrgang, …

The Wadden Sea is the largest tidal area in the world and is of mayor importance in the sectors ecology, economy and culture. It was therefore added to UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009. Hallumer-Ryt is an area in The Wadden Sea which is characterised by a saltmarsh. This habitat is considered to be …

From previous research in the western Wadden Sea it is clear that mussel plots are important hotspots for biodiversity. When the density of a mussel plot is higher, the biodiversity appears to be higher as well. This final thesis project was a part of the bigger project, ‘Added value with Mussels’, executed …

Population size increase at the Balgzand intertidal in the western Dutch Wadden Sea suggested a growth decrease in both plaice and flounder populations over summer. Research into the seasonal growth of 0-group plaice, Pleuronectes platessa, confirmed this suspicion. The years 1995 and 1996 had contrasting …