Flemish Government Departments and Divisions - Flemish Marine Institute (VLIZ) -Creating a long term infrastructure for MARine Biodiversity research in the European economic area and the Newly Associated states (MARBENA)

The objectives of the MARBENA project were to:

• create the infrastructure for marine biodiversity research in Europe, by creating a pan-European network of marine scientists; improve the science by cataloguing the existing expertise and infrastructure, by defining and prioritising the issues at stake; provide an intellectually attractive environment for young scientists and a discussion forum for all
• create awareness on the issues at stake and enlarge the visibility of marine biodiversity research in Europe: communicate with EU policy makers and politicians (presentation of marine biodiversity issues at the European Platform for Biodiversity Research Strategy meetings), liaison with global organisations and programmes, and dissemination of information to the public at large.