The inquiry has been posed by individuals both within and outside the group: where do we want to go with this subsidiary of KonBVC? What goals do we wish to achieve? Where do we position ourselves within the entire spectrum of national and international associations? And why do we need a separate magazine?

First and foremost, the role of a subsidiary is to gather members who cannot or do not wish to make the distant journey to the main headquarters in Antwerp. The BVC-Coast calendar is carefully arranged to allow members to attend meetings at both locations (Ostend and Antwerp). While half of our members eagerly take advantage of this, it is unfortunate that we seldom or never welcome chairpersons, board members, or other members of KonBVC to our gatherings.

Our association has a unique vision of seashell collecting: each monthly meeting lasts about three hours, during which members are introduced to collecting techniques, guided through the maze of identifying and classifying shells, provided access to an extensive library, given the opportunity to exchange/purchase shells, and attend PowerPoint presentations on excursions, new species, or an overview of a particular genus or family.

The emphasis of our association lies clearly in the identification of shells, often lent by the MNHN, resulting in the discovery of new species or the clarification of synonyms. The outcomes of these meetings are published in the ‘Neptunea’ magazine and distributed worldwide through the website <neptunea.org>.

The magazine was launched when dissatisfaction arose with the A5 format of ‘Gloria Maris’ in the early 21st century. We deemed it inappropriate for our articles to be published in such a format, especially considering our intention to display a large number of color plates with detailed images. Additionally, we preferred publishing articles in a distinctive style with a critical analysis of so-called new species or the publication of species with images highlighting differences with similar species through keywords. We aim to avoid lengthy, often meaningless descriptions, making the articles practically useful for quickly identifying species – a perspective highly appreciated by international readers.

As long as we have sufficient articles and budgets, the magazine will maintain its independent course. However, it will be discontinued in the event of the current responsible publisher stepping down. Within the working group, no one feels inclined to take on that task.

It has been observed that most collectors – even after attending meetings for decades – still possess only a superficial knowledge of how shells should be identified. The original description is rarely consulted, and due to the high cost of current literature (books and journals), inspiration is often sought on the worldwide web or through social media. Not all sources are equally reliable. A binocular microscope for examining protoconch and microsculpture is, therefore, a primary requirement, but photographing shells and editing them with the necessary software is an additional asset. Our association offers this service to its members: study material is submitted in advance, photographed via focus stacking, and presented at the next meeting for discussion and critical review. This avoids manually passing study material from one collector to another during meetings.

We have also decided to publish all previously published articles online, and the PowerPoint presentations from our meetings can be freely accessed on the website.

Thanks to an increase in membership fees, we can now financially survive without problems and continue to enjoy a highly appreciated year-end reception annually. The sponsor has also made new efforts to improve lighting and heating in the meeting rooms.

Finally, we would like to express our gratitude to all members who make the long journey to Ostend and especially to those who have selflessly manifested themselves in the past year, notably Steve Hubrecht, who has provided several interesting presentations and support for the study work. Encouraging is the article by Arne Ghys describing a new Pseudamussium species and presentations with PowerPoint by new members (Jan Libbrecht, Bart Wursten, and Jean-Paul Van Bellinghen). We also want to extend our appreciation to Delphine Clement, the silent force behind the regular updates of the website.

Overview of activities in 2023:

– January 15:

  * Reading of the annual report of the ‘Neptunea’ working group + financial status + planning of meetings in the first semester.

  * Introduction of a new member.

  * New photos of the holotype of the unique specimen of Calliostoma lithocolletum, sent by the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco (F. Nolf).

  * Final retrospective on the PowerPoints about land snails and shell cleaning (F. Nolf & S. Hubrecht).

  * Report on the visit to a former Icelandic trawler: commentary, photos, and films of fishing activities (F. Nolf).

  * Closing with a reception featuring sparkling wine and extensive dishes of tasty cold and hot snacks (Mrs. Nolf-Vander Gucht).

– February 19:

  * Introduction to some new Calliostoma species from NW Africa and Angola: a comprehensive report by S. Hubrecht and F. Nolf.

  * Report on the trip to Gambia: PowerPoint by Bart Wursten.

  * Identification of ‘unknown’ shells or specimens with dubious locality labels.

– March 19:

  * A new Propeamussium species from the Gulf of Mexico: PowerPoint by Arne Ghys.

  * Clelandella namibiensis: a new species from SW Africa (PowerPoint by F. Nolf).

  * Identification of some Gambia shells brought by Bart Wursten.

  * Clarification regarding the identification of undefined or unreliable material.

– April 16:

  * Instructional video from VLIZ on North Sea shells.

  * A new small Calliostoma species from Senegal (PPT by S. Hubrecht & F. Nolf).

  * Two new Calliostoma species from Angola (PPT by F. Nolf & S. Hubrecht).

  * The story of the stolen identity of Calliostoma lithocolletum (PPT by S. Hubrecht & F. Nolf).

  * Presentation of two new issues of the magazine ‘Neptunea’ (F. Nolf).

  * Video with impressions of the Shell Show in Chelles (Jan Libbrecht and spouse).

  * Presentation of a new book on beach findings by Stefaan Wera and Koen Fraussen (F. Nolf).

  * Information about new articles and projects, including the Fusinus complex in Angola, Gabon, and Namibia, and Belgian fishing in Icelandic waters and the White Sea.

– May 28:

  * Presentation of a new issue of the magazine ‘Neptunea’.

  * Report on excursions to Gorishoek and Ritthem with digital images by Jan Libbrecht.

  * Retrospective on the Shell Show in Edegem.

  * The Fusinus complex in Angola, Gabon, and Namibia (PPT by F. Nolf).

  * Navigating websites for identification or information on nomenclature and systematics (WoRMS, gbif.org, MolluscaBase, conchology.be, biodiversity, etc.) part 1 by S. Hubrecht with active participation of members using laptops, tablets, or smartphones/iPhones.

– June 18:

  * The successive steps to edit an article from identification, literature study, photography to using a word processor (F. Nolf).

  * Retrospective on the differences between Viridifusus mollis and V. albinus (F. Nolf).

  * The ‘white’ deep-sea CALLIOSTOMATIDAE in the East Atlantic waters (PPT by S. Hubrecht & F. Nolf).

  * Using websites for identification or information on nomenclature and systematics (WoRMS, gbif.org, MolluscaBase, conchology.be, biodiversity, etc.) part 2 by S. Hubrecht.

– August 20:

  * The planned meeting was canceled due to renovation works. A new heating system, excellent lighting, and a better-insulated roof were installed.

– September 17:

  * ‘Mollusks: More than a Shell’: a video about mollusks in Florida featuring malacologists Rudiger Bieler, Harry Lee, John Slapcinsky, and Jose Leal with underwater photography by Inda Ianiello (Arne Ghys).

  * An overview of the SPONDYLIDAE in the collection of Jean-Paul Van Bellinghen supplemented with specimens in the F. Nolf collection.

– October 16:

  * ‘New’ species in the Marginella glabella–irrorata complex: a critical look through a PPT by Steve Hubrecht supplemented with specimens from the collections of S. Hubrecht, Johan Verstraeten, and F. Nolf.

  * Fusinus bocagei marcelpini also in Angola: digital photos by F. Nolf.

  * Variability and abnormalities of Cypraea tigris and C. tigris pardalis: presentation of some remarkable specimens by J.-P. Van Bellinghen and F. Nolf.

– November 19:

  * Two potential new species in the family OLIVIDAE (S. Hubrecht).

  * Images from the ‘Agulhas II’ expedition in the Western Indian Ocean (Saya de Malha, Aldabra archipelago, the Seychelles, and the St. Brandon archipelago) by the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco and the MNHN (Paris).

  * Presentation of the TONNIDAE in the collection of F. Nolf.

  * Harpa cabriti versus Harpa lorenzi: PPT with digital images of specimens from KwaZulu-Natal to Somalia (F. Nolf).

– December 17:

  * Drafting the calendar for meetings in the first semester of 2024.

  * Assistance requested in the search on the KonBVC website: no one found a solution + frustration when logging in with a password.

  * The complete process of photographing via focus stacking and photoshopping images to processing them in an article or a PPT + application of this procedure in shell identification (F. Nolf).

  * Some new species in the families ANCILLARIIDAE, PSEUDOLIVIDAE, and OLIVIDAE (PPT by S. Hubrecht & F. Nolf).

Reporter: Frank Nolf