Within the sediment monitoring network from the Flemish Environmental Agency (VMM) the sediment quality of 600 locations in Flanders in both navigable as well as in unnavigable waters, is monitored by means of the TRIADE method. This TRIADE sediment quality assessment is based on a combination of chemical, biological and ecotoxicological parameters. The Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO) uses the Flemish eel pollutant monitoring network to monitor 350 locations in Flanders. These locations are situated on canals, rivers and on closed water bodies. The concentrations of PCBs, heavy metals and organochlorine pesticides are quantified in eel. At the same time these concentrations in eel give us valuable information on the bioavailability of these substances. Closer cooperation between both monitoring networks will provide an efficient policy tool, specifically for the sanitation/decontamination of the sediment and for the water policy in general. We will go into detail on the practical implications of such a kind of cooperation keeping in account the history, singularity and complementarity of both monitoring networks
