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 1 - 25 of 39 items
Lack of by-catch data
ID Number: BB24.01
Knowledge gap description: There is a long-lasting and persisting deficiency of by-catch data for most species (not just birds) and from most parts of the OSPAR Maritime Area. Relevant fishing effort data are still not available or are of insufficient quality. The poor data availability significantly hinders the assessment of by-catch and makes it difficult to plan and apply specifically tailored
management measures.
Knowledge Gap Category:
4. data coverage
Assessment Category:
Pilot assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
D1C1
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Pilot Assessment of Marine Bird Bycatch
Understand the effects of by-catch on the Balearic shearwater
ID Number: TBC
Knowledge gap description: Need to better understand and address the issue of by-catch.
Knowledge Gap Category:
5. cumulative effects & integration
Assessment Category:
Status assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
D1C1, D10C4
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Status Assessment 2022 - Balearic shearwater
Improve delineation of Assessment Units in region III
ID Number: BB18.03
Knowledge gap description: Improve the delineation of population-relevant Assessment Units (AUs) for seal bycatch, particularly for OSPAR Region III (e.g. via use of seal telemetry data).
Knowledge Gap Category:
4. data coverage
Assessment Category:
Common indicator assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
D1C1
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: Arctic Waters, Greater North Sea, Celtic Seas
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Marine Mammal By-catch
Thresholds including total removal from human activities
ID Number: BB18.12
Knowledge gap description: Thresholds: improved knowledge on critical inputs for the modelling necessary to carry out a management strategy evaluation (MSE) would enable updates to the thresholds. The threshold is used only to assess fisheries by-catch and not removal by other human activities. Including these other activities would lower the threshold for by-catch alone. Further guidance on how to allocate total anthropogenic removal limits from multiple causes would benefit future assessments to further refine the by-catch-only thresholds.
Knowledge Gap Category:
2. thresholds & references
Assessment Category:
Common indicator assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
D1C1
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Marine Mammal By-catch
Need to resolve long-standing by-catch issues
ID Number: BB18.13
Knowledge gap description: Future policy discussions around conservation objectives must be finalised and agreed in order to resolve long-standing issues and achieve agreed indicator outputs for application by OSPAR Contracting Parties (CPs).
Knowledge Gap Category:
2. thresholds & references
Assessment Category:
Common indicator assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
D1C1
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Marine Mammal By-catch
Inadequate marine mammal by-catch monitoring
ID Number: BB31.09
Knowledge gap description: Marine mammal by-catch monitoring and management is inadequate. Management needs objectives (especially thresholds for incidental by-catch of proacted species, above which the risk of not meeting conservation objectives is unacceptable) to be set according to conservation objectives. However, these conservation objectives have not been set yet.
Knowledge Gap Category:
2. thresholds & references
Assessment Category:
Thematic assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
D1C1
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Marine Mammals Thematic Assessment
Assessment of spatial distribution and intensity of pressure by fishing vessels < 12 m and increasing spatial resolution of VMS data
ID Number: BB20.03
Knowledge gap description: Assessment of spatial distribution and intensity of pressure by fishing vessels < 12 m and increasing spatial resolution of VMS data will improve the assessment of bottom trawling. Also relevant for indicators BH1, BH2b and BH3a.
Knowledge Gap Category:
4. data coverage
Assessment Category:
Pilot assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
D6C4
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: Greater North Sea, Celtic Seas
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Pilot Assessment of Area of Habitat Loss
Calibration of categories proposed for trawling and dredging intensities
ID Number: BB20.04
Knowledge gap description: Some methodological improvements are needed: calibration of categories proposed for trawling and dredging intensities, supported by ground truthing of sites with estimated high risk or the evaluation of sediment changes due to different intensities of fishing or extraction.
Knowledge Gap Category:
1. indicator development
Assessment Category:
Pilot assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
D6C4
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: Greater North Sea, Celtic Seas
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Pilot Assessment of Area of Habitat Loss
Combination of physical disturbance from bottom-contact fishing and aggregate extraction into a cumulative pressure index
ID Number: BB09.15
Knowledge gap description: Pressure data: The current assessments of physical disturbance from bottom-contact fishing and aggregate extraction assess each pressure independently. Future approaches could combine these and any additional pressures into a single cumulative pressure index, enabling multiple pressures to be expressed as a single disturbance response.
Knowledge Gap Category:
1. indicator development
Assessment Category:
Common indicator assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
D6C3, D6C5
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Extent of Physical Disturbance to Benthic Habitats: Aggregate Extraction
Biological data from areas where fishing pressure has been removed
ID Number: BB09.12
Knowledge gap description: Pressure data: Biological data from areas where fishing pressure has been removed (e.g., no-take zones) would help improve understanding of receptor recovery and will be explored in future work. Improved vessel monitoring (VMS) data for missing fleets and vessels < 12 m would be beneficial.
Knowledge Gap Category:
4. data coverage
Assessment Category:
Common indicator assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
D6C3, D6C5
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Extent of Physical Disturbance to Benthic Habitats: Fisheries with mobile bottom-contacting gears
Availability of Vessel Monitoring information
ID Number: BB09.13
Knowledge gap description: Pressure data: Since there is little Vessel Monitoring (VMS) information, the spatial extent of pressures associated with bottom-contact fishing activity could have been underestimated in some areas.
Knowledge Gap Category:
4. data coverage
Assessment Category:
Common indicator assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
D6C3, D6C5
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Extent of Physical Disturbance to Benthic Habitats: Fisheries with mobile bottom-contacting gears
Inclusion of Inshore Vessel Monitoring Systems data
ID Number: BB09.14
Knowledge gap description: Pressure data: Inclusion of Inshore Vessel Monitoring Systems (I-VMS) data in assessments would increase the confidence of assessments in inshore waters, where smaller vessels are most likely to operate.
Knowledge Gap Category:
4. data coverage
Assessment Category:
Common indicator assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
D6C3, D6C5
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Extent of Physical Disturbance to Benthic Habitats: Fisheries with mobile bottom-contacting gears
Adequate Vessel Monitoring (VMS) data
ID Number: BB09.15
Knowledge gap description: Pressure data: There was missing or inadequate Vessel Monitoring (VMS) data from Portugal, Norway, and Iceland. Therefore, bottom-contact fishing pressure may have appeared to be absent and/or underrepresented despite the occurrence of fleet activities.
Knowledge Gap Category:
4. data coverage
Assessment Category:
Common indicator assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
D6C3, D6C5
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Extent of Physical Disturbance to Benthic Habitats: Fisheries with mobile bottom-contacting gears
Improvement of Vessel Monitoring (VMS) data quality assurance protocols
ID Number: BB09.16
Knowledge gap description: Pressure data: The improvement of Vessel Monitoring (VMS) data quality assurance protocols by OSPAR Contracting Parties prior to submission of data to ICES will improve the coverage of pressure data in future assessments.
Knowledge Gap Category:
4. data coverage
Assessment Category:
Common indicator assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
D6C3, D6C5
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Extent of Physical Disturbance to Benthic Habitats: Fisheries with mobile bottom-contacting gears
Coverage of Vessel Monitoring (VMS) data
ID Number: BB09.17
Knowledge gap description: Pressure data: Vessel Monitoring (VMS) data obtained from ICES via the OSPAR data call did not cover the entirety of Kattegat. The new OSPAR benthic habitat assessment units extended beyond the original spatial extent of the official OSPAR Region boundaries used in the data call, which resulted in the potential absence of VMS data. In future assessments, modifications to assessment units that potentially extend beyond the areas agreed in the data call could results in similar knowledge gaps and should be accounted for, where feasible.
Knowledge Gap Category:
4. data coverage
Assessment Category:
Common indicator assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
D6C3, D6C5
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Extent of Physical Disturbance to Benthic Habitats: Fisheries with mobile bottom-contacting gears
Availability of fishing intensity data
ID Number: BB09.18
Knowledge gap description: Pressure data: Due to limitations associated with the availability of fishing intensity data, the current method may have been overestimated in areas where vessel speeds were likely to be reduced during transit near ports or in adverse weather conditions and were inaccurately attributed to speeds associated with trawling activity.
Knowledge Gap Category:
4. data coverage
Assessment Category:
Common indicator assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
D6C3, D6C5
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Extent of Physical Disturbance to Benthic Habitats: Fisheries with mobile bottom-contacting gears
Distribution and intensity of pressure within individual c-squares.
ID Number: BB09.19
Knowledge gap description: Pressure data: Knowledge gaps were identified regarding the distribution and intensity of pressure within individual c-squares (spatial grids).
Knowledge Gap Category:
4. data coverage
Assessment Category:
Common indicator assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
D6C3, D6C5
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Extent of Physical Disturbance to Benthic Habitats: Fisheries with mobile bottom-contacting gears
Response of benthic habitats to consistent or variable abrasion pressure
ID Number: BB09.20
Knowledge gap description: The BH3 assessment of the risk of disturbance from physical abrasion pressures associated with bottom-contact fisheries categorised and assessed surface and subsurface Swept Area Ratios separately. Future work investigating the response of benthic habitats to consistent or variable abrasion pressure would help inform how pressure impacts could be best represented across an assessment period.
Knowledge Gap Category:
1. indicator development
Assessment Category:
Common indicator assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
D6C3, D6C5
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Extent of Physical Disturbance to Benthic Habitats: Fisheries with mobile bottom-contacting gears
Integration of Data on habitat distribution and sensitivity
ID Number: BB09.22
Knowledge gap description: Geographical application: Data on habitat distribution and sensitivity is expected to be included at a later stage, to allow the analysis to address the wider spatial scale and assess variations in disturbance across OSPAR Regions more accurately.
Knowledge Gap Category:
3. assessment areas
Assessment Category:
Common indicator assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
D6C3, D6C5
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Extent of Physical Disturbance to Benthic Habitats: Fisheries with mobile bottom-contacting gears
Accuracy of estimates of trawling effort
ID Number: BB21.03b
Knowledge gap description: Pressures: Trawling effort may have been overestimated in some areas where vessel speeds were reduced during manoeuvres not linked to commercial bottom fishing (such as entering/exiting ports or during adverse weather conditions), but were erroneously are attributed to trawling.
Knowledge Gap Category:
4. data coverage
Assessment Category:
Common indicator assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
D6C3
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: Greater North Sea, Celtic Seas, Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Sentinels of the Seabed
Inclusion of Inshore Vessel Monitoring Systems data.
ID Number: BB21.03c
Knowledge gap description: Pressures: Inclusion of Inshore Vessel Monitoring Systems (I-VMS) data in assessments would increase the confidence of assessments in inshore waters, where smaller vessels are most likely to operate.
Knowledge Gap Category:
4. data coverage
Assessment Category:
Common indicator assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
D6C3
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: Greater North Sea, Celtic Seas, Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Sentinels of the Seabed
Knowledge about the resilience of communities to disturbance and change
ID Number: TBC
Knowledge gap description: Knowledge gaps of biodiversity and resilience of communities to disturbance and change (e.g. fishing, climate change, potential future deep-seabed mining).
Knowledge Gap Category:
4. data coverage
Assessment Category:
Status assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
D6C4, D6C5
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Status Assessment 2022 - Oceanic Ridges with hydrothermal vents
Sea-pen and Burrowing Megafauna Communities: definition, data and threshold values
ID Number: TBC
Knowledge gap description: Insufficent data, pressure thresholds in relation to varying intensity of fishing pressure and condition of habitat. Habitat definition inexplicit.
Knowledge Gap Category:
2. thresholds & references, 4. data coverage
Assessment Category:
Status assessment
Relevant for MSFD Art 8:
D1C1, D1C5
Implementation Status
OSPAR Region: All Regions
Source of knowledge gap: QSR2023 - Status Assessment 2022 - Sea-pen and Burrowing Megafauna Communities
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