A bit of history

Coordinated Dutch research on sea life began in 1872 with the founding of the Dutch Zoological Society (DZC) in Den Helder –just miles from the current Royal NIOZ headquarters. Since 1965 the marine research facilities of the institute are located in the village ‘t Horntje on the southeast of Texel. At that time ‘DZC’ became ‘NIOZ’: National Institute for Sea Research.

The royal warrant was issued to the NIOZ in 2001, celebrating 125 years of Dutch sea research. In 2012 the Royal NIOZ merged with the Centre for Estuarine and Marine Ecology in Yerseke. Focusing on an integrative scientific approach to ecosystems in oceans, seas and estuaries, research programmes of Royal NIOZ Texel aim to explore the unexplored –all for a better understanding of our planet.

The Royal NIOZ is one of the largest employers on the isle. At Texel 300 people of 27 nationalities are working to support science in three research departments. The focus is on seagoing research, for which the institute uses its own research fleet. This fleet consists out of four modern ships, headed by the oceangoing RV Pelagia. The Royal NIOZ Texel harbour is the homeport.