Olof Bengtsson is a marine biologist with expertise in ecology of high–trophic level animals (marine mammals and fish). Originally hailing from southern Sweden, he moved to Tromsø from Lund in 2017 with a bachelor’s in biology to pursue a master’s degree in marine biology at UiT the Arctic University of Norway. Olof did his master’s thesis on the diet of ringed seals in Svalbard in collaboration with the Norwegian Polar Institute (NPI). Afterwards, he continued as an employed researcher at NPI to analyse spatial distributions of marine mammals around Svalbard and has also had several seasons of fieldwork there, working with large cetaceans and resident seals. In 2022, Olof started his studies as a PhD student for NPI, studying dietary niches of phocid seals and predatory fishes in Svalbard, and was awarded his PhD degree by UiT in October 2025.

Climate change has always been the common thread in Olof’s research, where the focus has been on how marine mammal ecology and their role in the food web are affected by the warming environment and shifts in the prey community. Most of his research has also been centered around Svalbard and the Barents Sea, which is one of the global regions most affected by climate change.

In his role at NAMMCO as research assistant, Olof is analysing distributions of marine mammals and fishing intensities in the waters of the NAMMCO countries in order to identify areas and fisheries with high risk of marine mammal by-catch. The findings will be used to advise authorities and managing bodies on which fisheries to monitor, and at what times, to minimise by-catch.