Fishing and Whaling Flashcards
What is the main threat to Antarctica?
Fishing and whaling.
What species does over-fishing threaten?
The Patagonian Toothfish
Antarctic krill is the most fished creature (200,000 tonnes in 2013), having a knock-on effect in the food chain.
Why is it hard to make sure fishing quotas are followed?
The ocean is so large and lots of illegal fishing takes place.
What other species are affected by fishing by getting caught in fishing lines?
Albatrosses and Petrels.
What is happening to the whale population currently?
It is increasing, but slowly due to them being slow breeders.
When was commercial whaling banned (Whaling Moratorium)?
1982
Why does some whaling still take place?
For ‘scientific reasons’.
Japan, Iceland and Norway do not agree to the ban on whaling.
What was set up by the International Whaling Commission in 1994?
A whale sanctuary in the Southern Ocean around Antarctica.
How is the success of the whaling moratorium measured?
By estimating whale populations.
What do some countries believe that there should be to prevent whaling?
A better monitoring system and for all whaling boats to be registered.
Norway and Japan say that the IWC doesn’t have the authority to do this.
What criticisms does Greenpeace have of the whaling moratorium?
It is poorly enforced.
This is because Japan have continued to kill large numbers of Antarctic whales for scientific research.
