Unit 1 - Ocean Fisheries Management

Question 1

Perpetual Resources*

Answer 1

resources that are replenishing constantly and are not impacted by human activity (sunlight, geothermal, wind energy)

Question 2

Renewable Resources*

Answer 2

resources that restore/replenish themselves on a timescale that is meaningful to human society (part of an active ecological system). Examples include: water and trees

Question 3

Non-renewable resources*

Answer 3

resources that exist in a fixed quantity or stock in the earth’s crust. Any renewal rate is too slow to be meaningful to human activity

Question 4

We’re using resources as sources* when…

Answer 4

we take it out of the environment for consumption or production
(Trees for wood, fossil fuels to produce electricity)

Question 5

We’re using resources as sinks* when…

Answer 5

we use them to store or process waste products
(Pouring waste into the North Saskatchewan River)

Question 6

Renewable resource degradation*

Answer 6

occurs when the capacity of the resource to act as a source or sink is reduced OR when the ecological functioning of the resource is degraded

Question 7

Sustainable yield*

Answer 7

is the highest rate at which a renewable resource can be used indefinitely as a SOURCE without degrading it

Question 8

Critical load*

Answer 8

is the highest rate at which a renewable resource can be used indefinitely as a SINK without degrading it

Question 9

What is the notion behind Freedom of the High Seas?

Answer 9

The idea that anyone could use and access the ocean

Question 10

Why did the cod collapse have a tragic outcome?*

Answer 10

The Transboundary Situation created difficulty for Canada to fully control the resource, as part of it was in open access common property, and trawlers from other countries came in and depleted the resource

Question 11

How did perverse subsidies* affect the Newfoundland Cod Stock?

Answer 11

The government subsidized the expansion of the fishing industry beyond what the free market would have.
- There were subsidies on opening fish processing factories in NFL, subsidies for loans to start fishing businesses, etc

Question 12

Was the Precautionary Principle* considered in the Newfoundland Cod Case Study?

Answer 12

NO. The scientists who warned the government and fishing industry of the potential depletion of cod stock, they were ignored. Plus, optimistic scientists said there was no need to restrict fishing, and they were spotlit by governments and fishermen

Question 13

Precautionary Principle*

Answer 13

When there is a reasonable probability of serious or irreversible damage, lack of scientific certianty regarding the risk of depletion should not be used as reason to postpone measures to prevent environmental degradation

Question 14

Adaptive Management*

Answer 14

structured, rigorous, and iterative decision making process, that involves regular monitoring of outcomes to ensure policies are effective and that no adjustments need to be made

Question 15

Describe the problem in the 1920s Pacific Halibut Fisheries*

Answer 15

There was an increased effort required to catch the same amount of fish (Fishery Degradation). Then, regulations and international agreements were established to shorten the fishing season to allow for a recovery period. Following this, fishermen bought temporary boats and hired workers to catch as many fish during this short season, further depleting the resource

Question 16

What was the ultimate solution to stop fishery degradation in the Pacific Halibut Fisheries*?

Answer 16

Independent fishing quotas.
Fishermen were given set quotas for the maximum fish they could catch, and these were tradeable permits

Question 17

How did Independent Quotas affect the fishing industry in the Pacific Halibut Case?

Answer 17

Fishermen focused on quality over quantity, and they prevented overfishing with the quotas.
Now there is a strong fishing industry again, and this imrpoved the lives of many fishers

Question 17

How did Independent Quotas affect the fishing industry in the Pacific Halibut Case?

Answer 17

Fishermen focused on quality over quantity, and they prevented overfishing with the quotas.
Now there is a strong fishing industry again, and this improved the lives of many fishers
- This is an example of Adaptive Management

Question 18

Example of Integrated Management* in the Pacific Halibut Case

Answer 18

concerns over loss of fishing culture resulting if quotas were purchased by large corporations