• the sustainable use of estuaries, coasts and seas;
• coastal flood protection.

For this purpose, the National Institute for Coastal and Marine Management /RIKZ develops and maintains a knowledge and information infrastructure. As a knowledge bank, RIKZ also serves other parts of central government and RIKZ cooperates with various agencies and organizations at the international level. The knowledge and information function of RIKZ is derived from account plans for the regions North Sea, Scheldt, Wadden, Water Policy, Coast and Safety and International.

The Organization of RIKZ consists of three divisions:

1. Consultancy and Policy Analysis
2. Information and Technology and
3. Research and Strategy

• advice on national policy and planning relating to water and coastal management;
• preparation of national and international policy on the management of estuaries, coasts and seas;
• advice on regional developments, plan assessments and management plans;
• conducting policy and project oriented research.

• national monitoring of coastal waters and the North Sea (hydro information);
• development of methods of measurement and analysis;
• development and management of information and measurement systems for Rijkswaterstaat as a whole (MSW/DONAR/LIB)

• provision of basic knowledge for the management of estuaries, coasts and seas;
• future studies and innovation;
• applying research results;
• applied scientific research at national and international level

Netherlands Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Watermanagement, Rijkswaterstaat, National Institute for Coastal and Marine Management
Kortenaerkade 1
2518 AX Den Haag
3508 TA Utrecht
Phone: +31 70 3114 366
Fax: +31 70 3114 380
E-mail: h.niessing@rikz.rws.minvenw.nl
WWW: www.minvenw.nl/rws/rikz/home/ (in Dutch)