The Flanders Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research (ILVO) performs multidisciplinary, innovative and independent research aimed at economically, ecologically and socially sustainable agriculture and fisheries. Through this research, ILVO accumulates fundamental and applied knowledge which is vital for the improvement of products and production methods for quality control and the safety of end products, and for the amelioration of policy instruments as a foundation for sector development and agricultural policy for rural areas. ILVO provides the government with accurate fisheries information on stocks, methods and insights into the socio-economic aspects of the industry. ILVO is researching the building of sustainable aquaculture systems and the effect of humans on the marine environment and pollution on marine life.