Thank you for the question.
Uncertainty is a means to reflect incomplete scientific information, or studies and interpretations that may contradict one another. Where there's uncertainty, there's an expectation that policies will be more precautionary, especially in cases where there's a resource in crisis. Therefore, in cases where risk is determined to be minimal but there's a high degree of uncertainty, there should be a strong motivation to fill the knowledge gaps and re-evaluate the assessment of risk upon receipt of new information.
Until that time—until such time when uncertainty is declared to be low—managers need to proceed with caution in putting a consensus judgment into action.
In short, yes, there is a need to apply the precautionary principle where there's a high degree of uncertainty.