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 101 - 125 of 168 items
Assessment methodology on sources of underwater noise
ID Number: BE04.04
Knowledge gap description: The assessment methodology does not include sources other than shipping and fishing vessels with automatic identification or vessel monitoring systems.
Knowledge Gap Category:
4. data coverage
Assessment Category:
Thematic assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
TBD
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Underwater Noise Thematic Assessment
Continuous noise measurment and modelling
ID Number: BE04.05
Knowledge gap description: Both field measurements and the acoustic modelling for pressure from continuous noise could be improved.
Topics:
Knowledge Gap Category:
4. data coverage
Assessment Category:
Thematic assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
TBD
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Underwater Noise Thematic Assessment
Actual sound level from impulsive noise
ID Number: BE04.07
Knowledge gap description: The OSPAR Common Indicator for the Pressure from Impulsive Noise does not at this stage take account of actual sound level, as this information is only available for some activities.
Topics:
Knowledge Gap Category:
1. indicator development
Assessment Category:
Thematic assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
TBD
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Underwater Noise Thematic Assessment
Noise from tidal energy
ID Number: BE04.11
Knowledge gap description: The noise effects of offshore energy sources other than wind power, such as tidal energy, are not fully understood due to a lack of field studies to date and the challenges of monitoring in high tidal flow environments.
Knowledge Gap Category:
7. emerging issues of human activities
Assessment Category:
Thematic assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
TBD
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Underwater Noise Thematic Assessment
Non airgun geophysical surveys
ID Number: BE04.13
Knowledge gap description: More information needed on non airgun geophysical surveys sources with regard to their source characteristics and effects on marine life
Knowledge Gap Category:
1. indicator development
Assessment Category:
Thematic assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
N/A
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Underwater Noise Thematic Assessment
Sources of underwater noise
ID Number: BE04.14
Knowledge gap description: More information needed on OSPAR RAP-Noise Action 7 on other sources with regard to their source characteristics and effects on marine life
Knowledge Gap Category:
1. indicator development
Assessment Category:
Thematic assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
D11C1, D11C2
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Underwater Noise Thematic Assessment
Methods for analysing cumulative impacts
ID Number: TBC
Knowledge gap description: Knowledge gaps around analysis methods for spatial cumulative impacts in the OSPAR Maritime Area
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 - Human Activities Thematic Assessment
Climate change affecting human activities
ID Number: TBC
Knowledge gap description: Knowledge gaps around how climate change affects human activities in the OSPAR Maritime Area, including assessing current effects and adaptations.
Knowledge Gap Category:
7. emerging issues of human activities
Assessment Category:
Thematic assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
N/A
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Human Activities Thematic Assessment
Understanding pressures from deep seabed mining
ID Number: TBC
Knowledge gap description: Deep seabed mining: Further research and knowledge needed. There are substantial gaps in understanding of how pressures might be managed in exploitation technology for deep seabed mining, including mitigation or restorative techniques. Consideration is needed regarding how to address seabed mining knowledge gaps and uncertainties. There is a need for consideration of the precautionary principle and elaborated Environmental Impact Assessments.
Topics:
Knowledge Gap Category:
7. emerging issues of human activities
Assessment Category:
Thematic assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
N/A
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Human Activities Thematic Assessment
Measures to mitigate impacts from aquaculture
ID Number: TBC
Knowledge gap description: Aquaculture: Knowledge gaps remain in measures to mitigate environmental impacts, including modelling approaches. More understanding is needed of: pressures from open ocean installations; measures to reduce the impact of escapes; the impact of substances such as therapeutants; and various aspects of shellfish aquaculture. More understanding/management of pressures (e.g., effluents containing dissolved nutrients) is also needed for any expansion of recirculating aquaculture systems. Further OSPAR guidance may be needed if gaps in guidance are identified.
Knowledge Gap Category:
7. emerging issues of human activities
Assessment Category:
Thematic assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
N/A
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Human Activities Thematic Assessment
Understanding impacts of future growth of aquaculture
ID Number: TBC
Knowledge gap description: Aquaculture: increase understanding of potential impacts of future growth in aquaculture, including risks of a spread of non-indigenous species or parasites, or of contamination of the marine environment with hazardous substances, therapeutants, or nutrients. Engage with ICES on significant knowledge gaps. Include implications of new/expanded forms of aquaculture including offshore aquaculture, growth in cultivation of new or currently minor species (such as seaweeds), and recirculating aquaculture systems.
Knowledge Gap Category:
7. emerging issues of human activities
Assessment Category:
Thematic assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
D2C1, D2C2, D2C3, D8C1, D5C1
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Human Activities Thematic Assessment
Reporting from carbon storage projects
ID Number: TBC
Knowledge gap description: Carbon capture and storage: need for improved and refined reporting to OSPAR on environmental monitoring from carbon dioxide storage projects.
Topics:
Knowledge Gap Category:
7. emerging issues of human activities
Assessment Category:
Thematic assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
N/A
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Human Activities Thematic Assessment
Future trends in fish stocks
ID Number: TBC
Knowledge gap description: Fisheries: Improve understanding of future trends, including impacts of climate change on fish stocks and the ecosystem, and instabilities caused by tensions over fisheries management or new fisheries.
Knowledge Gap Category:
7. emerging issues of human activities
Assessment Category:
Thematic assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
N/A
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Human Activities Thematic Assessment
Understand how MSY influences other ecosystem components
ID Number: TBC
Knowledge gap description: Fisheries: OSPAR should improve its understanding of how fishing at maximum sustainable yield (MSY) influences other components of the ecosystem and ecosystem health overall, and its understanding of future trends.
Topics:
Knowledge Gap Category:
7. emerging issues of human activities
Assessment Category:
Thematic assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
N/A
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Human Activities Thematic Assessment
Harmful fishing activities that need particular focus
ID Number: TBC
Knowledge gap description: Fisheries: OSPAR will continue to identify which fishing activities need particular focus from fisheries management authorities as posing a threat to species, habitats, biodiversity and ecosystems, including pressures affecting sea floor integrity, and litter from fishing activities.
Knowledge Gap Category:
7. emerging issues of human activities
Assessment Category:
Thematic assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
N/A
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Human Activities Thematic Assessment
Implications from geoengineering
ID Number: TBC
Knowledge gap description: Geoengineering: the implications of most geoengineering techniques (e.g., carbon dioxide removal, ocean fertilisation, solar radiation management) are largely unknown with respect to feasibility and their impacts require further research.
Topics:
Knowledge Gap Category:
7. emerging issues of human activities
Assessment Category:
Thematic assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
N/A
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Human Activities Thematic Assessment
BAT for mine tailings
ID Number: TBC
Knowledge gap description: Sea disposal of mine tailings: Work is being done to develop best available technology (BAT) for sea tailings disposal and to improve understanding of this activity.
Topics:
Knowledge Gap Category:
7. emerging issues of human activities
Assessment Category:
Thematic assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
N/A
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Human Activities Thematic Assessment
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