Chapter 5: Oceans and Fisheries Flashcards
Q: What types of food are sourced from the ocean?
A: Fish, including true fish, finfish, shellfish, and other sea animals.
Q: Where are fish primarily located in the ocean?
A: On the continental shelves where the water is shallow and light can penetrate.
Q: How does overfishing affect marine biodiversity?
A: It reduces biodiversity and disrupts the food chain.
Q: What materials are commonly mined from the ocean?
A: Salt, diamonds, sand, and gravel.
Q: What is one environmental impact of mining sand and gravel from the ocean?
A: It can cause physical damage to the seabed.
Q: What is upwelling?
A: The process where minerals from the ocean floor are brought to the surface by currents.
Q: How is oil extracted from the ocean?
A: By offshore drilling rigs.
Q: How is the transport of goods primarily achieved across oceans?
A: By ships, though aviation has replaced ships for passenger transport.
Q: Why are fish populations often found in shallow continental shelves?
A: Due to abundant oxygen and phytoplankton.
Q: How much energy could be produced if wave energy is fully harnessed?
A: Twice the present world energy production.
Q: What is a potential environmental impact of offshore drilling?
A: Delicate particle clouds can interfere with photosynthesis and introduce heavy metals into food chains.
Q: What is a limiting factor for phytoplankton growth?
A: Light is often the limiting factor, as phytoplankton need light, CO2, and water.
Q: What are some popular seaside tourist activities?
A: Diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, jet skiing, deep-sea fishing, and sunbathing.
Q: What causes tidal energy?
A: The gravitational pull of the moon and sun causes water in the sea to move up and down twice daily.
Q: What is overfishing?
A: When fish are caught faster than they can reproduce, leading to a decline in fish populations.
Q: Where are cold ocean currents typically found?
A: Near the north and south poles.
Q: What determines the direction of ocean currents in the Southern Hemisphere?
A: They usually move in an anti-clockwise direction.
Q: How can small mesh sizes in fishing nets impact fish populations?
A: They catch juvenile fish, reducing the number that grow to maturity and reproduce.
Q: What is a Fish Aggregation Device (FAD)?
A: A device that attracts fish together for easier capture but can result in large bycatch.
Q: What phenomenon is described by the term “El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO)”?
A: A change in prevailing winds that disrupts upwelling and affects fish populations.
Q: What role do international agreements play in managing fisheries?
A: They regulate fishing in international waters and aim to conserve marine resources.
Q: Why are fishing quotas sometimes ineffective?
A: Fishers may avoid quotas by not declaring their actual catch or using illegal methods.
Q: What is aquaculture?
A: The farming of freshwater fish in controlled environments.
Q: What are protected areas and reserves in fisheries management?
A: Areas where fishing is restricted or prohibited to protect breeding grounds and fish habitats.
Q: What is the purpose of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)?
A: To regulate fisheries in international waters and enforce conservation laws.
Q: What is a common issue with fishing quotas?
A: They can be avoided by not declaring the actual catch or using illegal fishing practices.
Q: What is bycatch and why is it problematic?
A: Bycatch includes non-target species caught unintentionally, which can lead to declines in these populations and disrupt marine ecosystems.