oceans on the edge

Question 1

describe and explain the disruption of marine ecosystems

Answer 1

•Overfishing – unsustainable fishing causes fish stock decline and extinction of fish species
• pollution –
>Eutrophication – nutrient overloading in oceans from land-based fertilisers and sewage causing algae growth and oxygen decline to other marine species
>Siltation – increase in sediment in oceans due to land based processes which can smother coastal ecosystems
• climate change –
> bleaching – changes in water temp turn coral white which put the coral under stress and can result in death
>Species migration – predicted that species will shift towards the poles as oceans warm resulting in a reduced global range for Coldwater adapted species

Question 2

name some key threats to coral reefs

Answer 2

• over exploitation e.g. dynamite fishing and reef pounding
• Marine based pollution e.g. poison fishing
• coastal development e.g. tourism and deforestation – siltation
• inland pollution e.g. fertiliser run-off – eutrophication, siltation
• Climate change e.g. coral bleaching

Question 3

explain the growing local pressures on a named and located marine ecosystem

Answer 3

coral reefs in Soufriere, St Lucia
• population increase – causes land-based pollution
•overfishing due to narrow continental shelf and most fisherman not having boats for deep sea fishing
• forests cut down for banana plantations for export crops– Siltation of reefs
•Tourism causes pollution

Question 4

what are the conflicting views about how a named ecosystem should be managed

Answer 4

coral reefs at Soufriere St Lucia
•Commercial dive operators versus local fisherman – disagree over use of reef and responsibility for destruction
• local fisherman versus local authorities – Disagree over permission to build a marina jetty in a key fishing area
•Local fisherman versus local hoteliers – concern over water pollution from sewage reducing fish stock
• local community versus hoteliers – concern over degradation of coastal landscape and lack of access to beaches on coastline
• local fisherman versus recreational yacht users – concern over the anchoring of leisure craft in fishing areas

Question 5

describe and explain examples of global ocean management strategies

Answer 5

• law of the sea – 1994 treaty, laws on ownership fishing, shipping, pollution. Covers 40% of ocean
• Global marine species assessment – create the records of species types and numbers. Endangered species put on an international red list
• IWC (International whaling commission)– Established 1946, ban on whale hunting, 89 countries signed
• Marine protected areas – cover 2.12% of oceans. Distributed mainly on coasts

Question 6

compare the costs and benefits of marine management in a named location

Answer 6

Soufriere marine management
+
•damage to Reefs is reduced due to regulated use, improved fishing methods and eco-tourism
• The number sizes and diversity of fish have increased
• conflict is reduced between stakeholders
-
• this scheme initially cost money to implement
• continued growth of mass tourism threatens area
•Some conflict still remains – fishermen are angry that divers use conservation areas

Question 7

compare two named marine managements

Answer 7

Soufriere St Lucia-
•local scale
•developing country
•implemented by group of local stakeholders
•destruction of coral reefs
•participatory planning and zoning areas of coastline
•preserved coral reefs and fisherman got new boats
•not everyone was happy with scheme

North Sea-
•continental scale
•developed 
•implemented by EU
•destruction of ecosystems in North Sea 
•fishing quotas increased mesh size for nets 
•helped fish numbers recover 
•expensive to implement 
•open to abuse

Question 8

describe the global pattern of coral reefs

Answer 8

• 59% destroyed in Indian Ocean
• 7% destroyed in Pacific ocean
• Between the tropics as they need warm enough water to survive