Status 2020

Photo: Audun Narvestad, Norwegian Polar Institute.

Management of the minke whale is based on the Revised Management Procedure (RMP) developed by the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission. Inputs to this procedure are catch statistics and absolute abundance estimates.

Photo: Frode Skarstein, Norwegian Polar Institute.

Shipping statistics include both fishing vessels and other. The vessels excluding fishing vessels, cover less distance than in other ocean regions, but the traffic is increasing every year (Figure 3.9.6.1).

Photo: Ann K. Balto, Norwegian Polar Institute.

Anthropogenic litter were observed at every fourth (pelagic) and every second (bottom) station, and plastic dominated among all observations. Amounts of plastic and other litter are relatively low in comparison to other sea areas.

Photo: Stein Trondstad, Norwegian Polar Institute.

Fishing activity in the Barents Sea is tracked by the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS). Figures 3.9.4.1 and 3.9.4.2 show fishing activity in 2017-2019 based on Russian and Norwegian data. VMS data offer valuable information about temporal and spatial changes in fishing activity.

Photo: Bjørn Frantzen, NIBIO.

It is increased activities for searching, test drilling and developing the oil- and gas production in the Barents Sea. In recent years the search for valuable locations has increased and moved further eastward (Figures 3.9.7.1-3.9.7.4).

Photo: Odd H. Selboskar, Norwegian Polar Institute.

Levels of contaminants in fish from the Barents Sea are in general relatively low and below EU and Norway’s maximum levels set for food safety. For most substances, concentrations are stable or slightly decreasing.