Excursions

Excursions

Post Conference Tour

This tour is available to those who are registered for ICAIS 2022 and their accompanying guest. The cost for the tour will depend upon the number of participants, and a minimum number will be required in order for the tour to proceed. Please complete the form to express your interest in joining the tour. Availability will be on a first come, first served basis.

Saturday, 23 April 2022, 09:00 – 18:00

Transportation will be aboard a touring bus that will depart the Thermae Palace Hotel around 09:00 and participants will be returned to the hotel by around 18:00.

On this day trip through Belgium and The Netherlands, participants will visit:

  1. A marina with a large variety of alien marine seaweeds, worms, crabs and sea-squirts. Using pre-deployed settlement plates, scrape nets, hand dredges and gelatinous zooplankton nets, you will encounter a large selection of alien species, like the beautiful purplish feather worm Bispira polyoma, which was introduced to Europe relatively recently.
  2. The impressive, large Eastern Scheldt storm surge barrier.
  3. A Pacific oyster reef, as far as the eye can see. If time, wind, and tides allow, we will also make a short stop to check out the basket-ball sized Biflustra grandicella colonies, Pacific bryozoans known to inhabit only this site in Europe.
  4. A Belgian inland freshwater canal with its alien inhabitants, among which are various Ponto-Caspian fish and crustaceans.

9:00 – 10:00 Oostende (BE) – Breskens (NL) by bus

10:00 – 11:30 Alien species tour in the marina at Breskens www.jachthavenbreskens.nl

Alien species present:
  • Undaria pinnatifida (Wakame)              
  • Hemigrapsus takanoi
  • Hemigrapsus sanguineus
  • Bispira polyoma
  • Magallana gigas
  • Botrylloides violaceus
  • Styela clava
  • Sycon scaldiens

Photo Copyright GiMaRIS
Photo Copyright GiMaRIS
Photo Copyright GiMaRIS
Photo Copyright GiMaRIS
Photo Copyright GiMaRIS
Photo Copyright GiMaRIS
Photo Copyright GiMaRIS
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Photo Copyright GiMaRIS
Photo Copyright GiMaRIS
Photo Copyright GiMaRIS
Photo Copyright GiMaRIS
Photo Copyright GiMaRIS
Photo Copyright GiMaRIS
Photo Copyright GiMaRIS
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11:30 – 13:30 Small ferry from Breskens (NL) to Vlissingen (NL) for a lunch stop.

13:30 – 14:30 Storm surge barrier on the Eastern Scheldt (guided tour by Rijkswaterstaat – RWS)

14:30 – 15:00 Japanese oyster reefs of the Eastern Scheldt (low tide around 15:00)

The oyster reefs formed by the Pacific oyster Magallana gigas have had a huge impact as similar reefs, especially in the intertidal zone, cannot be formed by any native species. Photo Copyright GiMaRIS

15:00-16:00 By bus from Goes (NL) to Gent (BE)

16:00-17:00 Alien species in Canal Gent – Terneuzen

  • Photo Copyright INBO
  • Photo Copyright INBO
Alien species expected:
  • Round goby Neogobius melanostomus
  • Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis
  • …
  • Photos Copyright INBO
  • Photos Copyright INBO

17:00-17:45 Gent (BE) -Oostende (BE), back in hotel by 6 p.m.

Post Conference Technical Tour - Expression of Interest

As there will be a minimum number of participants required in order that the tour can be arranged and a maximum number able to attend, please fill in the following form for each interested party.
Name

Tourism Excursions

Take a stroll in this magnificent ‘Kaiyusschiki-style’ garden and marvel at the various landscapes which unfold before your eyes. No-one would expect this oasis of tranquillity and contemplation so near to the sea and Oostende’s vibrant city centre. During Belgian school holidays (with the exception of the Christmas and the spring break holidays), open every day.

A former Belgian merchant marine training ship, this three-masted schooner is now a floating maritime museum. It has a length of more than 78 m and a width of 11 m. This beautiful ship is really worth a visit. Great for kids as well.