6. Oceans

Question 1

Why has fishing increased?

Answer 1

1. Better technology
2. Deregulation
3. Population growth
4. Desire for profit as fish has many uses

Question 2

Describe some of the potential consequences of overfishing

Answer 2

1. Will have a great impact on food security and global warming
2. Where is consequences then any form of pollution other one lifetime (clover, 2007)
3. As is common there is a lack of regulation awaiting more research
4. Many many mammals for example whales are also killed
5. Fishing is the most serious issue affecting our oceans

Question 3

How did historical attitudes contribute to the problem of overfishing?

Answer 3

1. In the 1500s and 1600s fish was plentiful
2. By the 1700s the decline became noticeable in some areas for example Newfoundland
3. In the 1800s the scene was timeless as it was impossible to understand and so the consequences for the future were not properly considered because the oceans were considered inexhaustible
4. Landmark 1744–1829 – destroying all fish would be impossible
5. Huxley 1883 – many important species cannot go extinct
6. This was considered the age of optimism

Question 4

Describe the improvements in fishing gear that contributed to overfishing from the 1700s

Answer 4

1. 1770 – rods how to guides of a line and real
2. 1800s – invention of the Nottingham real based on wooden lace bobbin
3. 1865–70 – hexagonally rods made of strong bamboo
4. Longline fishing – up to 2500 baited hooks could be trailed
5. Silk replaced horsehair and was coated with linseed oil to make it more resilient and allow further casting

Question 5

What was the impact of fishing for sport

Answer 5

1. 1898 – invention of motorboat by CF holder
2. This encourage fishing to become competitive
3. 1930s – International game fish Association founded and encouraged big game fishing
4. This contributed to overfishing

Question 6

Describe the changes that occurred during mechanisation of the fishing industry

Answer 6

2. Steam powered trawling began – this removes everything from the sea floor
3. Use of drag nets and dredges
4. 1830s – use of Fleet systems – nets organised between ships to cover more water
5. 1880s – refrigeration allowed boats to stay away for longer therefore catch more fish
6. Infrastructure it was developed to deal with increased demand due to industrialisation including better engineering and transported knowledges
7. This created a feedback loop so more catch meant more uses were found for fish including fish oil and fish meal so demanding increased further
8. Power hauling was developed for equipment

Question 7

Describe the developing concern over overfishing in the 19thC

Answer 7

1. UK coastal inspectors and fishermen provided anecdotal evidence of decrease in catch
2. 1863 - Commission on Exhaustibility of Stocks found:
3. Long lines kill juveniles
4. No overall decline
5. People are just complaining about their poor catches

Question 8

Describe the two positions taken on overfishing in the 1884 London International fisheries exhibition, and the outcome.

Answer 8

1. That anti-exhaustibility camp included Huxley and they lost
2. Repetition of commission on exhaustibility of stocks
3. Ocean is huge
4. Humans are minor predators
5. No regulation needed as will damage economy and freedom of fishermen
6. Letting area rest allows stocks to recuperate
7. The pro exhaustibility camp swung into a majority
8. Must be a problem if breeding is necessary
9. Immature fish destroyed so food chain damaged
10. Impacts fishermen and their costs and risk rises

Question 9

What action was taking to combat overfishing in the earth 20th century and was it effective?

Answer 9

1. 1920 - establishment of international council for the exploration of the sea (ICES), but no mandate
2. 1920s and 30s - European fishermen spread into North Atlantic, leading to reduced catch
3. Post-WWII use of trawlers and distant fleets grew, but conventions were aimed at fisheries management

Question 10

What new technology of the 20th Century encouraged catch increase?

Answer 10

1. 1940s - 60s : underwater photography, sonar, synthetic netting and gear experimentation
2. Radar allowed better navigation
3. Fishing became science and engineering rather than a traditional skill
4. The Cold War and WWII technology encouraged growth of fishing industry
5. Automated fish grading devices
6. Greater transportation and preservation
7. 1960-2000: research in fish behaviour and hydrodynamics of trawling
8. More investment to increase catch
9. Globalisation of fishing

Question 11

Describe the economic trap that the fishing industry is facing.

Answer 11

1. Modern fleets can extract 2x fish than oceans sustain
2. This reduces the value of fish and fishing boats
3. Fishermen just catch more to make up loss
4. Influence governments not to regulate
5. UN has recognised this
6. Fishing is 1% of the global economy but vital to certain areas and those with nothing

Question 12

How may aquaculture provide a solution for overfishing, and what are the problems with this?

Answer 12

1. We now eat more farmed than natural freshwater fish
2. 1/2 of all prawns are now farmed
3. Demand for biomass fishing for prawn food, so juveniles destroyed and fine nets used that catch everything
4. Building sites destroy mangroves - a natural habitat for juvenile fish and prawns
5. Some fish eg. eels cannot be raised in captivity so wild young are caught which decreases natural populations
6. Expenses needed to begin and poor communities export to wealthy ones

Question 13

How does overfishing impact local communities?

Answer 13

1. Fishing communities destroyed due to new mechanical boats from abroad
2. They’re more effective than traditional methods
3. Can’t do anything due to government deals

Question 14

What are some issues affecting the marine ecosystem, besides overfishing?

Answer 14

1. Pollution
2. Eutrophication due to runoff from deforestation
3. Physical habitat destruction
4. Disease
5. Invasive species
6. Climate change

Question 15

What is the current trend in global fishing?

Answer 15

1. We are facing fish extinction by 2015
2. .There are mixed messages as biology says fish is good for us so we are encouraged to eat more
3. Catch has increased from 20 million tons in 1947 to 98,000,000 tons in 1988 and much of this is used for fishmeal and fish oil