News

On Friday 18th June 2004 the Hydrographic Society Benelux (HSB) held a workshop entitled ‘Observation methods and reporting for Environmental and Ecological topics’ in ‘Het Havenhuis’ (The Harbour House), Antwerp. The programme consisted of four presentations that gave the 45 attendees the opportunity to learn more about Marine Environmental Impact Assessment using tools, (research) methods and techniques such as optical backscatter sensors and acoustic Doppler flow measurement and, of course social, economical, political and policy issues and involvement.
Peter van Driel, manager, International Services, Fugro G.E.S. gave the first preentation, offering attendees an introduction to marine Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as a design tool that assists in improving the value of a project design. The practical aspects of an EIA were presented on the basis of an example project in the Arabian Gulf.
Mr Bruno Ens, scientific researcher at Alterra, followed with a detailed story about research on the impact of possible gas winning, and mussels and cockle fishing in the Waddenzee in The Netherlands. This contribution showed that there is a substantial difference in views between researchers, fishermen and nature conservation parties and that major political and social aspects always play an important role in decision making.
The third speaker was Arjan Kikkert, a senior project manager for the ecological department of Rijkswaterstaat Noord Holland. His presentation covered silt transport and pedogenesis in the newly constructed ‘Afrika’ dock in the port of Amsterdam. Because this is a new dock, it was possible to monitor and evaluate the evolution of the pollution of the water and the soil, in addition to the succession of organisms in the new water system.
The last speaker was Stijn Claeys, operational manager at GEMS-International. Stijn gave a detailed description of his company’s methods for monitoring the environmental impact of dredging in the Belgian harbours under the MOBAG2000 programme by visualisation of suspension material using their Alligator plough dredge, acoustic Doppler flow and optical backscatter methods and measurement.
The workshop was complemented by physical presentations by corporate members GITC, IXSEA, HYDROCONSULT, GEMS, STEMA and TNO-ITG.
As usual, the day was closed with an informal get-together.
The organising committee wishes to express thanks for the hospitality and generosity of the Havenhuis-Antwerp.
Copies of presentations are available for download at the HSB website www.hydrographicsociety.nl

Agenda

• 8th September 2004: Corporate workshop Simrad bv, Rotterdam
  
• 15th October 2004: Airborne survey, Delft
  
• 10th December 2004: Oceanography, Delft