VLIZ has the following strategic objectives:

• Promoting Flemish marine scientific research.
• Promoting the international impact of Flemish marine scientific research.
• Promoting the visibility of Flemish marine scientific research to the public at large by means of popularisation and sensitisation.
• Providing scientific information on the sea to policy makers, whether or not upon request, so that they can use this information to develop their policy with regard to marine affairs.

To realise these strategic objectives the VLIZ gives priority to the following activities:

• Supporting marine scientific research by making available research vessel 'Zeeleeuw' and other research equipment and infrastructure for common use. The VLIZ also contributes to the (inter)national planning, management and efficient use of marine research infrastructures.
• Managing and further developing the Flanders Marine Data and Information Centre (VMDC). The centre collects different kinds of data, implements international standards and distributes data in Belgium and abroad. Within this scope the centre processes and provides access to external data and collects its own data, whether or not on its own initiative. The VMDC is an integral part of international networks (IOC of UNESCO, OBIS, ESF Marine Board, and other European networks) and contributes to the development of international standards for managing and exchanging data and information.
• Managing a multimedia centre that is developing a collection of marine and coast-related scientific literature and multimedia.
• Promoting a network of marine scientists and other persons concerned by offering a platform, organising meetings, congresses and conferences and releasing publications. A core task of the VLIZ is to map expertise in Flanders on a permanent basis and to present this expertise both in Belgium and abroad. This also includes expertise in the field of 'blue biotechnology'.
• Managing an information desk that provides objective scientific information to scientists and policymakers in Flanders and abroad as well as to teachers, students and interested citizens in Flanders. The information desk answers all questions and furthermore provides information of its own accord by responding to current events and promoting Flemish marine scientific research through exhibitions and open house days, through publications and the website and by organising and co-organising seminars, workshops and symposia.