• Addressing complex coastal and marine issues: We focus on major challenges such as climate change, energy transition, economic development, and biodiversity in coastal and marine areas.
• Collaboration with diverse programmes and researchers: The applied research group works closely with programmes such as Coastal and Marine Management, Environmental Science, and Management of the Living Environment, as well as with a wide range of researchers from within and outside the university.
• Contributing to sustainable transitions in deltas and coastal regions: Through research and collaboration, we help promote the transition to sustainable systems in deltas and coastal regions.
• Integration of research and education for practice-oriented solutions: Our approach combines theoretical research with practice-oriented projects, providing students with valuable hands-on experience.
• Involvement in national and international legislation and treaties: We navigate a complex network of legislation and treaties to implement sustainable solutions.

The mission is to develop applicable knowledge and promote sustainable solutions in coastal and marine areas. We aim to find innovative answers to climate and environmental issues in collaboration with students, researchers, and external partners. Our vision is a world where coastal and marine areas are resilient to climate change, where biodiversity flourishes, and where economic activities are in harmony with nature.

The research group Marine Management and Conservation focuses on the following three areas:

• Coral reef management: Within the theme of 'reef restoration,' new applications are being developed to accelerate reef restoration or limit further degradation. To achieve this, we:
  • Develop knowledge about the functioning of the coral reef or shellfish reef ecosystem
  • Develop knowledge about the impact of threats on and opportunities for this functioning
  • Develop applications to counteract threats or facilitate opportunities
  • Test and improve these applications The specialisation of Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences (VHL) in this area is particularly focused on the use of artificial reefs and the reintroduction of key species on the coral reef.
• Management of the Wadden Sea and the North Sea: Sustainable use and management of the North Sea and the Wadden Sea are central to this theme. We use the North Sea and the Wadden Sea as study areas, focusing primarily on governance. Governance refers to the decision-making process and how decisions are - or are not - implemented.
• Fish migration and the Wadden Sea: Within the theme 'Wadden Sea and Fish Migration,' new knowledge is being developed regarding the interaction between the Wadden Sea, the hinterland, and humans. We focus particularly on fish ecology and fish migration. How can we soften the edges of the Wadden Sea? How can we restore the relationship between the Wadden Sea and the hinterland to facilitate the recovery of fish populations? We take a comprehensive view of fish and consider the broader interests of the Wadden Sea. To achieve this, we:
  • Develop knowledge about the functioning of fish passages.
  • Develop knowledge about fish migration and coastal habitats.
  • Develop knowledge about the impact of climate change and opportunities for this functioning.
  • Develop management perspectives and solutions to help further improve the Wadden Sea and its environment VHL's specialisation in this area is particularly focused on determining fish migration and the effectiveness of fish passages.

Coral reef management

The following projects fall under the theme 'reef restoration':

• Project AROSSTA
• Project Diadema I
• Project Diadema II
• Project MOREEF
• Project NEPP
• Project ECODAMI

If you want to know more about these projects, please contact Alwin Hylkema alwin.hylkema@hvhl.nl).

Management of the Wadden Sea and the North Sea

• Project MarCons
• Project TRAILS
• Project Aquaview

If you want to know more about (the projects of) this theme, please contact David Goldsborough h (david.goldsborough@hvhl.nl).

Fish migration and the Wadden Sea

The following projects fall under the theme 'Wadden Sea and Fish Migration':

• Vissen voor Verbinding
• Sud Ie Innovatieve Vismonitoring
• Impuls voor Diadrome Vissen

If you want to know more about (the projects of) this theme, please contact Jeroen Huisman (jeroen.huisman@hvhl.nl).

We regularly publish our research findings in scientific journals, trade magazines, and media. These publications provide in-depth insights into the challenges and solutions within coastal and marine areas and are intended to inform both the scientific community, policymakers, and the broader public. Our recent publications cover topics ranging from fish migration and sea urchins to broader climate and environmental issues.

You can find all publications of the applied research group on Greeni, the online library of the green universities of applied sciences.

Want to know more about the applied research group? Please contact:

Janneke Ottens
Professor of Coastal & Marine Systems

E-mail: janneke.ottens@hvhl.nl

Want to know more about these coral reef projects? Please contact:

Alwin Hylkema
Associate lector Coastal Ecosystem Restoration (alwin.hylkema@hvhl.nl).