OSPAR Science Agenda Knowledge Gap Portal
Welcome to the OSPAR Science Agenda knowledge gap portal. The page showcases important scientific questions and evidence needs identified by OSPAR to help protect and sustainably manage the North-East Atlantic. Use the filters and search options below to explore knowledge gaps by topic, category, region, and status, or browse visually to discover areas where new research, data, or collaborations are needed. The aim is to make it easy for anyone - scientists, funders, and policy makers to understand the current priorities, access key details, and get involved in helping to close these important gaps for a healthier ocean future.
Showing 251 - 275 of 539 items
Effects of warming sea temperature on fish
ID Number: BB07.02
Knowledge gap description: The effects of warming sea temperature on large fish index (LFI) threshold values and on demersal fish size composition recovery rates are not known fully.
Knowledge Gap Category:
7. emerging issues of human activities
Assessment Category:
Common indicator assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
D4C3
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Proportion of Large Fish (Large Fish Index)
Relationship between human pressures and demersal fish community
ID Number: BB07.03
Knowledge gap description: A full understanding of relationships between all human pressures and their impact on the full demersal fish community (not just the commercially fished stocks) is needed.
Knowledge Gap Category:
5. cumulative effects & integration
Assessment Category:
Common indicator assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
D4C3
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Proportion of Large Fish (Large Fish Index)
Assessment units for large fish in OSPAR Regions
ID Number: BB07.04
Knowledge gap description: Explore using assessment units which split the OSPAR Regions into smaller areas and the inclusion of fishing pressure metrics for future development of the indicator.
Topics:
Knowledge Gap Category:
1. indicator development
Assessment Category:
Common indicator assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
D4C3
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Proportion of Large Fish (Large Fish Index)
Historic data or models for recovery targets for sensitive fish species
ID Number: BB06.01
Knowledge gap description: Historic data or suitable models for ecosystem recovery to support the setting of absolute recovery targets for sensitive fish species are not available.
Topics:
Knowledge Gap Category:
1. indicator development
Assessment Category:
Common indicator assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
D1C2
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Recovery of Sensitive Fish Species
Population impact of warming seas on sensitive fish species
ID Number: BB06.02
Knowledge gap description: How warming seas may impact population recovery among sensitive fish species is not known.
Knowledge Gap Category:
7. emerging issues of human activities
Assessment Category:
Common indicator assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
D1C2
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Recovery of Sensitive Fish Species
Evaluation of appropriate baseline values for the indicator
ID Number: BB15.01
Knowledge gap description: More work needed to evaluate appropriate baselines and assessment values for this indicator. Identify assessment based on historic data where available complemented through modelling.
Topics:
Knowledge Gap Category:
2. thresholds & references
Assessment Category:
Common indicator assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
D4C3
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Size Composition in Fish Communities
Reference levels for pristine or sustainably exploited state
ID Number: BB19.02
Knowledge gap description: Reference levels representing a pristine or sustainably exploited state and that would allow a formal assessment, are not yet available.
Topics:
Knowledge Gap Category:
2. thresholds & references
Assessment Category:
Pilot assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
N/A
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Pilot Assessment of Mean Maximum Length of Fish
Gaps in status of T&D fish species in OSPAR MPA network
ID Number: BB33.01
Knowledge gap description: There are gaps in the OSPAR Marine Protected Area (MPA) network for almost all of the fish species on the OSPAR List of Threatened and/or Declining Species and Habitats. Many of the fish (listed by OSPAR as threatened and/or declining) are of unknown status.
Knowledge Gap Category:
4. data coverage
Assessment Category:
Thematic assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
N/A
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Fish Thematic Assessment
Integrating concepts of ecosystem function into fisheries management regulation
ID Number: BB33.02
Knowledge gap description: For by-catch, there is need to integrate concepts of ecosystem function into fisheries management regulation (e.g., trophic cascades) and how management regimes consider the impact of fisheries on the pelagic habitat and food webs
Knowledge Gap Category:
5. cumulative effects & integration
Assessment Category:
Thematic assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
D1C1
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Fish Thematic Assessment
Use of relevant OSPAR studies on by-catch
ID Number: BB33.03
Knowledge gap description: In working with relevant authorities and stakeholders to reduce or eliminate by-catch, OSPAR should consider relevant by-catch studies conducted in the framework of OSPAR, the European Commission and ICES and their conclusions to come.
Knowledge Gap Category:
4. data coverage
Assessment Category:
Thematic assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
D1C1
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Fish Thematic Assessment
Management effectiveness of MPAs related to fish communities
ID Number: BB33.04
Knowledge gap description: Improve understanding of management effectiveness of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)s as related to fish communities.
Knowledge Gap Category:
4. data coverage
Assessment Category:
Thematic assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
N/A
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Fish Thematic Assessment
Implications of removing fish from the wild for use as cleaner fish
ID Number: BB33.05
Knowledge gap description: There is need to study implications of removing fish from the wild (wrasse and lumpfish) for use as cleaner fish to manage parasite levels in farmed fish, including the genetic interaction of escaped cleaner fish.
Topics:
Knowledge Gap Category:
4. data coverage
Assessment Category:
Thematic assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
N/A
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Fish Thematic Assessment
Lack of spatial data beyond coastal zone
ID Number: BB33.06
Knowledge gap description: Challenges that limit the ability to determine effectiveness of measures: the need for more spatial data to fill large gaps, especially for beyond the coastal zone.
Topics:
Knowledge Gap Category:
6. effectiveness of measures
Assessment Category:
Thematic assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
N/A
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Fish Thematic Assessment
Cause and effect for individual actions on fish
ID Number: BB33.07
Knowledge gap description: Challenges that limit the ability to determine effectiveness of measures: Recommendations address many actions, making it difficult to link cause and effect for individual actions and to determine where more effort could have the greatest effect.
Topics:
Knowledge Gap Category:
6. effectiveness of measures
Assessment Category:
Thematic assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
N/A
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Fish Thematic Assessment
Effectiveness of measures: time lag between action and effect
ID Number: BB33.08
Knowledge gap description: Challenges that limit the ability to determine effectiveness of measures: The need to consider time lag between taking an action and confirming whether it is having the desired effect. This time lag depends on a number of factors specific to each species' life history.
Topics:
Knowledge Gap Category:
6. effectiveness of measures
Assessment Category:
Thematic assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
N/A
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Fish Thematic Assessment
Effectiveness of area-based management
ID Number: BB33.09
Knowledge gap description: There are gaps in understanding of whether or not area-based management is effective (e.g., of the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)s within the network or of the network itself).
Knowledge Gap Category:
6. effectiveness of measures
Assessment Category:
Thematic assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
N/A
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Fish Thematic Assessment
Data availability relating to the OSPAR MPA network
ID Number: BB33.10
Knowledge gap description: There needs to be improved data availability relating to the OSPAR Marine Protected Area (MPA) network to inform managers of the various human activities in the marine environment.
Topics:
Knowledge Gap Category:
4. data coverage
Assessment Category:
Thematic assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
N/A
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Fish Thematic Assessment
Identify collective actions that add value to national actions
ID Number: BB33.11
Knowledge gap description: There is need for OSPAR to identify (and implement) collective actions that add value to existing national actions and to the efforts of other international organisations.
Topics:
Knowledge Gap Category:
5. cumulative effects & integration
Assessment Category:
Thematic assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
N/A
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Fish Thematic Assessment
International coordination of management and conservation measures for pelagic shelf fish
ID Number: BB33.12
Knowledge gap description: There is need for international coordination of management and conservation measures for pelagic shelf fish.
Topics:
Knowledge Gap Category:
5. cumulative effects & integration
Assessment Category:
Thematic assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
N/A
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Fish Thematic Assessment
Causes and consequences of changes in ecosystem state
ID Number: BB33.13
Knowledge gap description: OSPAR needs to consider the causes and consequences of changes in ecosystem state more holistically in order to fully apply ecosystem-based management.
Topics:
Knowledge Gap Category:
5. cumulative effects & integration
Assessment Category:
Thematic assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
N/A
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Fish Thematic Assessment
Seasonal high risk areas for bycatch at sea
ID Number: TBC
Knowledge gap description: Identify seasonal high risk areas for bycatch at sea
Topics:
Knowledge Gap Category:
4. data coverage
Assessment Category:
Status assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
D1C4
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Status Assessment 2022 - Allis shad
Impact of aquatic noise and electromagnetic fields on diadromous fish
ID Number: TBC
Knowledge gap description: Lack of knowledge on impact of aquatic noise, electromagnetic fields on diadromous fish behaviour
Knowledge Gap Category:
4. data coverage
Assessment Category:
Status assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
D11C1, D11C2
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Status Assessment 2022 - Allis shad
Suitability of areas in the light of climate change
ID Number: TBC
Knowledge gap description: Climate change: identify future unsuitable areas (i.e. southern Europe) and locate potential suitable ones that will ensure reproductive success
Knowledge Gap Category:
4. data coverage
Assessment Category:
Status assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
D1C4
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Status Assessment 2022 - Allis shad
Potential effect of invasive species
ID Number: TBC
Knowledge gap description: Potential effect of invasive species
Knowledge Gap Category:
4. data coverage
Assessment Category:
Status assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
D2C3
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Status Assessment 2022 - Allis shad
Marine life stages of Alosa species - sources of mortality and modifications in geographical range
ID Number: TBC
Knowledge gap description: There is a considerable lack of knowledge on the adult marine life stage of both Alosa species Allis and Twait. This could particularly impair the expert capability to understand modification in the geographical range and disentangle sources of mortality.
Topics:
Knowledge Gap Category:
4. data coverage
Assessment Category:
Status assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
D1C3
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Status Assessment 2022 - Allis shad