These organisms entered the Barents Sea both in a natural way - through the expansion of habitat due to global warming, and as a result of human activities, related to the intentional or accidental introduction of alien organisms. There are currently 15 species considered introduced and invasive.
At present, studies related to the invasive species are mainly focused on two kinds of crabs: Red king crab (Paralithodes camtschaticus) and Snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio), that are of economic importance. Scientific information regarding other invasive species is fragmentary and requires further research.
