I work as advisor at Rijkswaterstaat on Soil and Water issues for the waterbody the North Sea and a small part of my works focusses on the Western Scheldt.

My role at the moment focusses on:

• Marine Strategy Framework Directive for descriptor D7 Hydrographical changes.

• Sand extraction on the North Sea, specifically on long-term sand strategy

• Natura 2000 area: Doggersbank, Klaverbank and Friese Front on the NCP.

• Morphological issues in the Western Scheldt in relation to navigation.

• Advising on paleo landscapes for the North Sea.

• Advisor within Wind Farms at Sea and associated cable to land. 

As part of my role at Rijkswaterstaat Zee en Delta, I work on the implementation of Descriptor 7 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). Descriptor 7 focuses on hydrographical changes, such as alterations to water depth, current patterns, sediment transport, and salinity, which may result from human activities like dredging, offshore construction, or sand extraction.

My work involves assessing and reporting these changes to ensure that they do not cause significant adverse impacts on marine ecosystems. This includes contributing to the Good Environmental Status (GES) assessment framework and integrating hydro-morphological knowledge into broader marine policy decisions.

In addition to my national responsibilities, I serve as Chair of the Expert Group on Hydrographical Changes under the OSPAR Commission’s EIHA Committee (Environmental Impact of Human Activities). This group brings together specialists from across Europe to align monitoring and assessment approaches with both MSFD Descriptor 7 and OSPAR’s Quality Status Report (QSR) and long-term goals.

Our current focus includes:

• Developing harmonized assessment methods for hydrographical alterations.

• Sharing best practices for impact assessment and mitigation.

• Contributing to the OSPAR Quality Status Report.

• Supporting policy targets under OSPAR’s North-East Atlantic Environment Strategy.
  
  

By leading this group, I help bridge the gap between science, policy, and environmental management at both the national and international levels—ensuring a consistent and ecosystem-based approach to human activities affecting marine hydrography.

In my current role at Rijkswaterstaat Zee en Delta, I contribute to the development of a sustainable sand extraction strategy for the Dutch part of the North Sea. This work supports coastal protection, infrastructure development, and long-term spatial planning.

A key focus is the Delfstoffen Informatie Systeem (DIS), developed in collaboration with Deltares and TNO. DIS is a predictive model that estimates sand availability across the Dutch Continental Shelf, using existing borehole data to map and characterize subsurface resources. The system is publicly accessible via TNO and Deltares and provides essential input for spatial planning and licensing.

Preferred sand extraction areas lie between the NAP -20 m depth contour and the 12 nautical mile zone. This zone is prioritized for sand mining because of its accessibility, resource quality, and minimal conflict with other marine activities. Seawards of the 12-mile zone, other activities of national interest, such as energy or nature development, are given precedence.

Please read about the national research programs Zand uit Zee, OR ELSE, and BANX. These initiatives explore the future of marine sand supply from scientific, technical, and policy perspectives. We aim to develop a long-term sand extraction strategy that balances spatial constraints, ecological impact, availability over time, and cost efficiency—ensuring a future-proof approach to sand sourcing in the Netherlands.

As an advisor on soil and water for Natura 2000 areas in the Dutch Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), I contribute to the sustainable management and protection of some of the most ecologically valuable marine areas in the North Sea.

The North Sea Natura 2000 project is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, and Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature. Together, we work to safeguard marine biodiversity in areas of high ecological importance.

Designated Natura 2000 sites within the Dutch EEZ include:

• North Sea Coastal Zone

• Dogger Bank

• Cleaver Bank

• Frisian Front

• Brown Bank
  
  

These areas collectively cover around 19% of the Dutch EEZ, which equates to approximately 10,260 km²—more than one million hectares of protected marine environment.

In my role, I provide guidance on how physical processes, such as sediment dynamics, seabed disturbance, and hydrographical changes, affect habitat quality in these sites. I support impact assessments, advise on marine spatial planning, and help ensure that human activities such as sand extraction, shipping, and energy development are aligned with the conservation goals of the EU Habitats and Birds Directives.

By integrating geomorphological and hydrodynamic expertise into conservation planning, my aim is to support long-term ecological resilience and responsible use of our marine natural capital.

The North Sea Programme 2022–2027 sets out the spatial vision for one of the most intensively used seas in the world. Its central task: finding the right balance between economic use, energy transition, nature protection, and long-term ecosystem health.

Within this complex spatial puzzle, I contribute specifically to the integration of sand extraction into marine spatial planning. As an advisor at Rijkswaterstaat Zee en Delta, my role involves ensuring that sand extraction activities—which are essential for coastal protection, infrastructure, and land reclamation—are strategically located, ecologically responsible, and aligned with national and EU environmental frameworks.

My work includes:

• Providing input on preferred extraction zones (e.g. between NAP -20m and the 12 nautical mile zone).

• Assessing how extraction interacts with other marine functions like offshore wind energy, shipping routes, and protected areas.

• Contributing technical knowledge on sediment availability, seabed impact, and cumulative effects.

• Supporting cross-sectoral coordination in line with the goals of Good Environmental Status under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD).
  
  

By combining geomorphological expertise with policy insights, I help ensure that sand extraction is future-proof, cost-efficient, and ecologically sustainable—supporting both the needs of society and the health of the North Sea ecosystem.

The North Sea today is a vast and dynamic marine environment—but beneath its seabed lies a buried landscape rich in archaeological and geological heritage. During the last Ice Age, large parts of what is now seafloor were dry land, inhabited by humans and animals. These palaeolandscapes—such as ancient river valleys, lakes, and coastlines—preserve valuable records of the Quaternary period, spanning hundreds of thousands of years.

In my current role at Rijkswaterstaat, I contribute to efforts that aim to identify, understand, and manage these palaeolandscapes, particularly in the context of sand extraction, infrastructure planning, and heritage protection. Through the interpretation of borehole data, seismic profiles, and sediment cores, we work to reconstruct ancient terrains and assess their archaeological potential.

This work is essential not only for sustainable seabed use, but also for preserving the cultural history embedded in the North Sea floor. By collaborating with geologists, archaeologists, and institutions such as RCE, TNO and Deltares, I help link Quaternary geological mapping to the protection of submerged heritage sites.

Understanding these ancient environments is increasingly important as offshore activities expand—especially in zones with high sand demand or infrastructure development. Our work helps ensure that such activities are informed by the past, integrating archaeological sensitivity into spatial planning and decision-making.

Map of the Dutch Geo-Archeological zones

Underwater cultural heritage

WMS-file