Three happy editors: Arild Sundfjord (NPI), Marit Reigstad (UiT), and Geir Johnsen (NTNU). Photo: M. Reigstad.
“What will the future Barents Sea look like?”
The new book about the Barents Sea is largely based on the results from the Nansen Legacy project. The book, entitled The Barents Sea system – Gateway to the changing Arctic, was launched on Polaria, Tromsø, on 20th June 2025.
The Barents Sea: Gateway to the changing Arctic
The authors provide a comprehensive overview of both the physical environment and the living Barents Sea, from microbes in the sediments to seabirds on the surface, and from the cycling of small trace metal particles to large-scale atmospheric systems and ocean currents flowing in and out of the region.
The book also describes methods and advanced technologies used to observe and understand this complex system, including new tools that make the Arctic Ocean more accessible for scientific exploration than ever before.
Managing the region with knowledge
An important chapter in the book describes how the Barents Sea region is managed based on knowledge-based governance, which is fundamental for maintaining both sustainable use and a well-functioning Barents Sea.
Being an Arctic system in rapid change, the predictions of the future Barents Sea give insights to scenarios, level of confidence and time horizons. This is important for management as well as societal adaptation and mitigations.
Other areas in the Arctic are likely to experience similar changes to those currently observed in the Barents Sea, making this book a valuable resource for anyone seeking to understand Arctic marine regions.
A book with new and updated illustrations and photos from research expeditions
The book features contributions from 84 co-authors, numerous stunning illustrations by illustrator Frida Cnossen, and photos from many of the researchers and photographers associated with the project.
The book summarizes our understanding of the Barents Sea, including its role as part of a larger system, and also incorporates management perspectives.
The new knowledge presented in the book is primarily based on the Nansen Legacy project (2018-2024), a national collaborative and interdisciplinary research initiative. The book is aimed at researchers, students, managers, policymakers, and especially interested journalists who want to understand the state and changes in Arctic marine areas.
The book is available for sale in hard copy or as e-book from Fagbokforlaget
