Introduction

Almost 150 years of sea research

As we enter the 150th year of NIOZ, it is my pleasure to introduce you to last year’s achievements in this report and try to open a glimpse of our future. NIOZ has played an important role over the last 150 years in providing basic understanding how geology, life, chemistry and physics of the ocean interact and how it functions. The techniques have changed, from describing newfound species to the use of environmental DNA and development of novel biogeochemical markers, from taking samples from small ships to ocean going vessels and now the use of unmanned vessels. We have taken significant steps in the last few years to acquire gliders, that can float for months in the seas taking measurements such as temperature, depth, salinity, alkalinity. In 2026 we will obtain an automated underwater vehicle, that can take many different samples on its course and a novel remotely operated vehicle that can go down to 6 km and perform experiments on the sea floor.

Fleet renewal

As a jewel in the crown we have completed our fleet renewal project, with the christening of the RV Anna Weber-van Bosse, in March 2026. The two other ships, the RV Adriaen Coenen and the RV Wim Wolff have been operational now since a few years. And, satisfactorily operation, they both provide state of the art facilities for our work at the Waddenzee so that we can continue to push the boundaries of our understanding of this important, but increasingly vulnerable ecosystem and UNESCO world heritage site. 

Ocean protection

In June 2025 the UN convened a large Ocean Conference (UNOC) in Nice. The timing of this conference was important. In 2024 the UN High Seas Treaty was negotiated and on 19 September 2025, the treaty reached the minimum of 60 state ratifications needed to trigger its coming into force. While the Netherlands has been slow to ratify, the importance of these developments cannot be underestimated. The ocean increasingly needs protection, protection against unregulated human interference, such as (plastic) pollution, acidification, resulting from our unlimited fossil fuel burning, and overfishing. But also threats linger in exploitation plans of its deep-sea minerals and its mining. It is hopeful that the politicians increasingly recognize the importance of the ocean for the sustainability of our planet by, for instance, developing an EU Ocean Pact. However, you cannot protect what you do not understand.

Curiosity driven

Our research at NIOZ, as highlighted in this year’s annual report, stems from curiosity driven research. From the basic drive to understand the marine environment in all its aspects, to applying that understanding to, for instance, the ecological impacts of planned wind parks in the North Sea. Protection of land against rising sea levels increasingly uses insights from our work on flexible, nature-based solutions. In the new strategy outlined by the Dutch Delta Commissioner these nature-based solutions, such as increasing sedimentation by natural means play an important role. Our work on the Zeeland delta provides many examples of how to use elements of natural processes to increase resilience and decrease vulnerability of our delta’s.   In our 150th anniversary year we will continue to push the boundaries of knowledge of the marine environment, tell our stories and connect even better to our stakeholders.