In order to impose regulations that effectively reduces the impact of the fisheries on the Barents Sea ecosystem, knowledge in many different fields is necessary; especially quantitative knowledge is lacking.
General knowledge gaps include:- Mapping of bottom habitats and biodiversity
- Ecosystem interactions and energy transport between different fish species and other organisms, especially predator-prey relationships. Quantitative data on sea mammals is especially important
- Knowledge of resilience of the ecosystem with regard to changes in climate, sea currents, and sea ice
Technology aspects:
- Knowledge of fishing gears (trawls) that reduces the impact on bottom habitats
- Knowledge of fishing gears that reduce emissions of greenhouse gases during fishing operations
