The western sand extraction area on the Belgian continental shelf

This paper describes ecological characteristics of the western sand extraction area off the Belgian coast. A review of scientific research is given with special reference to a long term ecological monitoring programme.Relevant clauses concerning the exploration and exploitation of the Belgian continental shelf were elaborated in the law of 13 June 1969. In application to this law two Royal Decrees were published to regulate exploitation.The ecological monitoring programme investigated benthic communities and demersal fish population since 1977. Close attention was paid to the evolution of dominant species belonging to the epibenthic fauna e.g. the brittle stars (Ophiura texturata and Ophiura albida), the common starfish (Asterias rubens), the brown shrimp (Crangon crangon) and the common swimming crab (Macropipus holsatus) in relation to sedimentological features.The southeastern part of this sand extraction area is a nursery ground for dab (Limanda limanda) and sole (Solea solea) mostly belonging to the pre-recruit 0-age group. A small stock of adult dab with commercial size inhabited the area, although the area was dominated by Gadiformes (Merlangius merlangus, Trisopterus luscus, Limanda limanda and Pleuronectes platessa).A change in the distribution of these populations as a consequence of sand extraction was not obvious