Maarten de Jong

Beleidsmedewerker, adviseur en mariene ecoloog (PhD) bij InformatieHuis Marien (IHM), team marien (LVVN) en Natuurversterking Noordzee (NN)

The Hague, South Holland, Netherlands

About

I’m working since July 2022 at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature with topics besides offshore wind energy such as offshore energy, sand extraction, nature protection, marine strategy framework directive (MSFD), alternative nature compensation N2000 area Voordelta, mitigation/ compensation and active/passive recovery of benthic habitats (such as OECMs), research and monitoring. Before, I have been working as a (marine) ecologist at the legal department of Rijkswaterstaat for program Wind Energy at Sea. I was projectleader for policy supporting research focusing on macrozoobenthos and demersal fish within Offshore Wind Energy Ecological Program (Wozep, https://www.noordzeeloket.nl/functies-en-gebruik/windenergie/ecologie/wind-zee-ecologisch/). I was also assisting in the process of writing wind farm site decisions (kavelbesluiten). In the wind farm site decisions, a chapter on nature-inclusive building is included which aims at further improving the ecological possibilities for marine species (Building with Nature approach for scour protection, monopiles etc.). I was also assisting Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality with optimizing, implementing and supervising nature-inclusive measures and monitoring. The Dutch government tries to maximize the use of the North Sea also within offshore wind farms (transit for vessels smaller than 24 m and co-use). I was involved in writing an assessment framework for nature inclusive building and aquaculture in offshore wind parks. In general, I am very enthusiastic, energetic and ambitious and like to work in multi- and interdisciplinary project teams which enables me to further develop my Building with Nature approach in the field of marine ecology, hydro- and morphodynamics, sand extraction, nourishments, statistical modelling, tropical marine ecology, environmental engineering, nature conservation and policy making. Besides work, I like diving all around the world and I love to make underwater pictures but for now it’s time for a new challenge!

Experience