4.3 Aquatic Food Production Systems

Question 1

Continental Shelf

Answer 1

the submerged part of a continent that extends from the shoreline to the deep ocean floor.

It is characterized by relatively shallow waters.

Question 2

Commercial Fishing

Answer 2

Catching fish and other seafood from natural habitats for the purpose of selling and profit.

It involves using various techniques and equipment designed to harvest marine species on a large scale.

Question 3

Benthic vs pelagic

Answer 3

Benthic Fish: Fish that live on or near the ocean floor. Examples include flounder and cod.

Pelagic Fish: Fish that live in the open water column, away from the sea floor. Examples include tuna and mackerel.

Question 4

International Waters

Answer 4

Areas of the ocean that lie outside of national jurisdictions, beyond 200 nautical miles (370km) from the baseline of any country’s coastline.

Question 5

Offshore economic zone

Answer 5

Prescribed by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), extending up to 200 nautical miles (370km) from a country’s coast, where the country has exclusive rights to explore and exploit marine resources.

Question 6

Factory Ship

Answer 6

Large fishing vessels equipped with processing facilities that can catch, process, and freeze fish at sea.

Question 7

Fishery

Answer 7

A place where fish are caught and the industry or activity involved in catching fish.

Question 8

Harvesting of wild stock

Answer 8

capturing fish and other marine organisms from their natural environments in the wild. This involves collecting species from their native habitats for consumption, trade, or other uses.

Question 9

Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY)

Answer 9

The largest yield (catch) that can be taken from a specific fish stock over an indefinite period under constant environmental conditions without causing a decline in the stock.

As opposed to OSY (which takes into account other social and economic factors0

Question 10

Optimal Sustainable Yield (OSY)

Answer 10

maximizes the long-term benefits to the fishing industry and society, considering both the ecological health of fish stocks and economic factors.

Compare with MSY (largest sustainable yield possible)

Question 11

Why fishing at MSY can lead to a population decline

Answer 11

MSY does not account for ecological interactions, environmental variability, or changes in fish stock conditions over time.

Question 12

Shark finning

Answer 12

Removing shark fins and discarding the rest of the shark, often while the shark is still alive.

Question 13

Overfishing

Answer 13

Catching fish at a rate faster than they can reproduce, leading to a decline in fish stocks and potential collapse of the fishery.

Question 14

How modern commercial harvesting is more destructive

Answer 14

Efficiency and tracking technology can target large quantities.

Factory ships (including refrigeration means vessels can stay out longer.

International trade/markets results in larger catch

Question 15

Cod Wars

Answer 15

A series of disputes between the United Kingdom and Iceland over fishing rights in the North Atlantic during the 1950s and 1970s.

Not to be confused with the cod fishery collapse in Newfoundland

Question 16

Grand Banks, Newfoundland

Answer 16

A major fishing ground located off the coast of Newfoundland, known for its rich fish stocks, especially cod.

Overfishing led to the collapse of the cod fishery in the early 90s, significantly impacting the local economy and ecosystem.

Question 17

Chilean Sea Bass

Answer 17

A more appealing name used for the Patagonian toothfish, an overexploited deep-sea fish found in the Southern Ocean.

Question 18

Aquaculture

Answer 18

The farming of fish, shellfish, and aquatic plants in controlled environments such as tanks, ponds, or cages.

Question 19

Bycatch

Answer 19

The capture of non-target species during fishing operations, including fish, seabirds, sea turtles, and marine mammals.

Question 20

Trawling

Answer 20

A fishing method where a large net is dragged across the seafloor to catch fish and other marine organisms.

Can cause significant habitat destruction, bycatch, and disruption of benthic ecosystems.

Question 21

Drift net fishing

Answer 21

A method where nets are allowed to drift with ocean currents, capturing fish that become entangled in the mesh.

Question 22

Ghost fishing

Answer 22

The phenomenon where lost or abandoned fishing gear continues to capture and kill marine life, even though the gear is no longer actively managed or monitored by fishers.

Question 23

Longlines

Answer 23

A fishing method using a long main line with multiple baited hooks attached at intervals.

Can capture large numbers of fish, including non-target species, and pose risks to seabirds and sea turtles.

Question 24

Quota

Answer 24

A limit set on the amount of fish that can be caught by a fishery within a specific period.

Question 25

Why are continental shelves more productive than the deep ocean

Answer 25

Nutrient upwelling, which supports higher primary productivity and a richer ecosystem.

Greater sunlight penetration, fostering the growth of phytoplankton, which supports larger fish populations.

Question 26

Fishery Management Strategies

Answer 26

Quotas (catch limits)
Closed seasons,
Marine protected areas
Community engagement and education

Question 27

Proportion of fish (seafood) derived from aquaculture

Answer 27

50%

Question 28

Most farmed species (saltwater)

Answer 28

Atlantic salmon
Shrimp (various species)
Oysters
Sea bass
Mussels
Tuna

Question 29

Most farmed species (freshwater)

Answer 29

Trout
Carp
Catfish

Question 30

Open aquaculture system

Answer 30

Exposed to the natural environment, such as in oceans, rivers, or lakes.

Examples: Net pens, bottom culture, line culture.

Question 31

Closed aquaculture system

Answer 31

Isolated from the natural environment, typically in controlled environments like tanks or ponds.

Question 32

Impact of unsustainable shrimp farming

Answer 32

• Destruction of mangroves and wetlands.
• Discharge of pollutants, including antibiotics and waste, into surrounding ecosystems.
• Harm to local species due to habitat destruction and pollution.
• Displacement of local communities and loss of livelihoods.

Question 33

Bottom culture aquaculture

Answer 33

Where species like oysters, clams and mussels are grown directly on the seafloor or on structures placed on the bottom.

Benefits: Natural filtration by shellfish, minimal impact on water quality, sustainable harvesting.

Question 34

Net pen aquaculture

Answer 34

Fish are raised in large nets or cages suspended in the water column.

Allows for large-scale production of fish with access to natural water flows.

Can be expanded or relocated.

Question 35

Limitations of net pen aquaculture

Answer 35

Risk of pollution from waste and uneaten feed.

Higher susceptibility to disease outbreaks that can spread to wild fish populations.

Potential for farmed fish to escape and interbreed with wild populations, impacting genetic diversity.

Question 36

Line aquaculture

Answer 36

A method of farming species like seaweed or shellfish on lines suspended in the water column.

Seaweed absorbs carbon dioxide and nutrients, reducing eutrophication.

Provides valuable products like food, biofuels, and pharmaceuticals.

Question 37

Benefits of pond/tank aquaculture

Answer 37

Ability to manage and treat water, reducing pollution.

Lower risk of disease and parasite transmission.

Easier to manage and repurpose waste products.

Question 38

Integrated aquaculture

Answer 38

The practice of combining multiple aquaculture systems, such as fish, shellfish, and plants, to create a balanced and sustainable ecosystem.

Uses waste from one species as inputs for another.

Diversifies income streams by producing multiple products.