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 401 - 425 of 539 items
Risk assessments on pesticides
ID Number: TBC
Knowledge gap description: While there is data on use of pesticides, sales of pesticide cannot be directly equated to the risk to human health and the environment and does not provide insight into whether or not the use of pesticides is sustainable. This is because the risks relate to pesticide mobility and degradation in the environment and their uptake and potential accumulation in plants, animals, and humans.
Topics:
Knowledge Gap Category:
5. cumulative effects & integration
Assessment Category:
Other assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
N/A
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Feeder Report 2021 - Agriculture
Sea lamprey protection
ID Number: TBC
Knowledge gap description: OSPAR Recommendation 2015/03 on furthering the protection and conservation of the sea lamprey includes proposed measures to assist agriculture and forestry in reducing destruction or degradation of spawning habitats and river migration routes. Progress made in implementing this measure is not clear.
Topics:
Knowledge Gap Category:
6. effectiveness of measures
Assessment Category:
Other assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
N/A
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Feeder Report 2021 - Agriculture
Identify and quantify nutrient sources
ID Number: TBC
Knowledge gap description: Nutrient levels are still too high in some regions which are still affected by eutrophication, such as the south-eastern coast of the Greater North Sea and some localised areas of the Celtic Seas. OSPAR could further develop the evidence base and tool kits to identify and quantify relevant sources, and consider nutrient reduction needs for countries to combat eutrophication.
Topics:
Knowledge Gap Category:
4. data coverage
Assessment Category:
Other assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
D5C1
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Feeder Report 2021 - Agriculture
Nutrient reduction tool kits
ID Number: TBC
Knowledge gap description: OSPAR could further develop the evidence base and tool kits to consider nutrient reduction needs for countries to combat eutrophication.
Topics:
Knowledge Gap Category:
2. thresholds & references
Assessment Category:
Other assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
D5C1
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Feeder Report 2021 - Agriculture
Understanding impacts of changes in species used for aquaculture
ID Number: TBC
Knowledge gap description: Marine aquaculture in the OSPAR region is mainly with a few species. The EU Aquaspace project noted that more understanding and new strategies would be needed if this were to change.
Topics:
Knowledge Gap Category:
4. data coverage
Assessment Category:
Other assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
N/A
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Feeder Report 2021 - Aquaculture
Seaweed aquaculture
ID Number: TBC
Knowledge gap description: Understanding of possible impacts from expansion of seaweed aquaculture such as disease, alteration in population genetics and alterations to the physio-chemical environment needs to be developed.
Topics:
Knowledge Gap Category:
4. data coverage
Assessment Category:
Other assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
N/A
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Feeder Report 2021 - Aquaculture
Use of therapeutic treatments in aquaculture
ID Number: TBC
Knowledge gap description: Significant knowledge gaps remain relating to the persistence of therapeutic treatments, the impact of long-term or multiple exposures during the life cycle of nontarget species, and the effects of exposure to multiple medicines on non-target species and the ecosystem.
Topics:
Knowledge Gap Category:
4. data coverage
Assessment Category:
Other assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
N/A
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Feeder Report 2021 - Aquaculture
Limits for contaminants in fish feed based in environmental effects in surrounding sediments
ID Number: TBC
Knowledge gap description: Regulatory limits set for contaminants in fish feed have been based on fish health and food safety and not the risk of environmental effects in surrounding sediments.
Topics:
Knowledge Gap Category:
2. thresholds & references
Assessment Category:
Other assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
D8C1, D9C1
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Feeder Report 2021 - Aquaculture
Offshore and large-scale aquaculture
ID Number: TBC
Knowledge gap description: OSPAR should increase its understanding of the potential impacts of future growth in aquaculture production in the OSPAR Maritime Area, including development of offshore and large-scale aquaculture (e.g., in relation to spatial planning, the risk of spread of non-indigenous species or parasites, or contamination of water with hazardous substances, pharmaceuticals, or nutrients).
Knowledge Gap Category:
5. cumulative effects & integration
Assessment Category:
Other assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
D2C1, D2C2, D2C3, D8C1, D5C1
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Feeder Report 2021 - Aquaculture
Reporting escapes from Aquaculture
ID Number: TBC
Knowledge gap description: Escapes: There could be improvement in reporting of escapes, defining the cause of escapes, and understanding the impacts on wild populations.
Topics:
Knowledge Gap Category:
4. data coverage
Assessment Category:
Other assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
N/A
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Feeder Report 2021 - Aquaculture
Bivalve aquaculture
ID Number: TBC
Knowledge gap description: Knowledge gaps and areas for future research identified by ICES include ecological carrying capacity, the impacts of different methods of bivalve culture in different environments, the use and control of non-native species, unexplained variation in the availability and settlement of seed mussels, and impacts on birds, mammals and sensitive habitats
Topics:
Knowledge Gap Category:
4. data coverage
Assessment Category:
Other assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
N/A
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Feeder Report 2021 - Aquaculture
Establishing baseline conditions for emerging contaminants
ID Number: BE07.2
Knowledge gap description: Consider regularly amending OSPAR Guidelines for the Management of Dredged Material to include emerging chemicals in order that baseline conditions can be established, and subsequent trends monitored.
Topics:
Knowledge Gap Category:
2. thresholds & references
Assessment Category:
Other assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
D8C1
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Assessment of Data on the Management of Wastes or Other Matter (Dredged Material) 2008 - 2020
Contribution of litter/debris and microplastics in dredge materials
ID Number: BE07.3
Knowledge gap description: Develop and roll out techniques for regular assessment of the contribution of litter / debris and microplastics to adverse impacts of dredged material.
Knowledge Gap Category:
1. indicator development
Assessment Category:
Other assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
N/A
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Assessment of Data on the Management of Wastes or Other Matter (Dredged Material) 2008 - 2020
Dredging and dumping as part of cumulative impacts
ID Number: BE07.4
Knowledge gap description: Include dredging and dumping as part of overall cumulative impact assessment.
Topics:
Knowledge Gap Category:
5. cumulative effects & integration
Assessment Category:
Other assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
N/A
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Assessment of Data on the Management of Wastes or Other Matter (Dredged Material) 2008 - 2020
Need to incorportate issues on cumulative effects
ID Number: TBC
Knowledge gap description: Further work is needed on how to incorporate issues such as the valuation of change over time, within current work/tools on cumulative assessment in the marine environment.
Topics:
Knowledge Gap Category:
5. cumulative effects & integration
Assessment Category:
Other assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
N/A
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Feeder Report 2021 - Extraction of non-living Resources
Understanding restorative techniques for deep seabed mining
ID Number: TBC
Knowledge gap description: Extent and nature of deep sea mining environmental impacts are uncertain, given the rate of change in the technical approaches proposed, and the mitigation and restorative techniques still in development. Development of mitigation or restorative techniques for deep sea mining is at an early stage, and there are substantial gaps in understanding.
Topics:
Knowledge Gap Category:
4. data coverage
Assessment Category:
Other assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
N/A
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Feeder Report 2021 - Extraction of non-living Resources
Future trends in extraction of non-living resources
ID Number: TBC
Knowledge gap description: Future trends are uncertain and dependent on factors such as the scale of construction activity and availability of alternative materials.
Topics:
Knowledge Gap Category:
5. cumulative effects & integration
Assessment Category:
Other assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
N/A
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Feeder Report 2021 - Extraction of non-living Resources
Address uncertainties about extraction activities
ID Number: TBC
Knowledge gap description: ICES notes that there is still much uncertainty about the nature of extraction activities in the north-east Atlantic in terms of geography, water depth, potential pressures and sensitivity of habitats.
Topics:
Knowledge Gap Category:
4. data coverage
Assessment Category:
Other assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
N/A
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Feeder Report 2021 - Extraction of non-living Resources
Uncertainties on environmental impacts from EU fisheries
ID Number: TBC
Knowledge gap description: European Commission’s Joint Research Centre reported that there were uncertainties around the short- and long-term environmental impacts, as well as economic and social impacts, of the landing obligation (discard ban) introduced in EU member states.
Topics:
Knowledge Gap Category:
4. data coverage
Assessment Category:
Other assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
N/A
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Feeder Report 2021 - Fisheries
MSY influencing the ecosystems
ID Number: TBC
Knowledge gap description: OSPAR could consider how to improve its understanding of how fishing at Maximum Sustainable Yields levels influences other components of the ecosystem, and ecosystem health overall.
Topics:
Knowledge Gap Category:
5. cumulative effects & integration
Assessment Category:
Other assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
N/A
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Feeder Report 2021 - Fisheries
Lack of consistent fisheries approaches in the EU
ID Number: TBC
Knowledge gap description: Even at maximum sustainable yield (MSY) levels, fishing will have impacts on the ecosystem and its food webs. European Commission has noted that assessment of the state of food webs across European seas is affected by a lack of consistent approaches, high uncertainty, or lack of data.
Knowledge Gap Category:
4. data coverage
Assessment Category:
Other assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
D4C1, D4C2, D4C3, D4C4
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Feeder Report 2021 - Fisheries
Impacts from fishing activities on biodiversity and ecosystems
ID Number: TBC
Knowledge gap description: Identify which fishing activities need particular focus from fisheries management authorities as they pose a threat to biodiversity and ecosystems, and where, and which other human activities are affecting the fishing resource. This could include assessment of impacts in different regions, including where pressures on sea floor integrity might have the most significant negative impact on ecosystems.
Knowledge Gap Category:
7. emerging issues of human activities
Assessment Category:
Other assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
D3C1, D3C2, D3C3, D6C4, D6C5
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Feeder Report 2021 - Fisheries
Better understanding of the potential for and consequences of harvesting at lower trophic levels
ID Number: TBC
Knowledge gap description: Norway’s bioeconomy strategy noted that a better understanding of the potential for and consequences of harvesting at lower trophic levels was still needed
Topics:
Knowledge Gap Category:
4. data coverage
Assessment Category:
Other assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
D4C1, D4C2, D4C3, D4C4
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Feeder Report 2021 - Fisheries
Uncertainties in analysing and modelling Exhaust Gas Cleaning System discharge totals
ID Number: TBC
Knowledge gap description: Uncertainties in analysing and modelling Exhaust Gas Cleaning System (EGCS) discharge totals based on emission factors, power predictions, discharge rates, and accuracy of ship fleet data.
Topics:
Knowledge Gap Category:
4. data coverage
Assessment Category:
Other assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
N/A
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Modelling of discharges to the marine environment from open circuit flue gas scrubbers on ships in the OSPAR Maritime Area
Availability of riverine data from some countries
ID Number: TBC
Knowledge gap description: Contaminant loads of metals and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) were calculated for OSPAR regions (Table 5 and Table 6) and a comparison with riverine input data (year 2019) from OSPAR Riverine Inputs and Direct Discharges monitoring programme (RID) were made with respect to some metals. However, riverine data are missing from some countries.
Topics:
Knowledge Gap Category:
4. data coverage
Assessment Category:
Other assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
D8C1
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Modelling of discharges to the marine environment from open circuit flue gas scrubbers on ships in the OSPAR Maritime Area