People catch many fish from the sea for food. In some places too many fish have been caught. The number of fish left is now very low. Scientists worry that ...
Question 1 Report
People catch many fish from the sea for food. In some places too many fish have been caught. The number of fish left is now very low. Scientists worry that some kinds of fish may die out. If too many fish are taken, few adults are left. Then there are not enough to breed. Governments try to protect the fish. They limit how many fish can be caught. They control the size of the holes in nets. They ban fishing in some places at some times. A student was asked why these steps help. The questions below are about protecting fish stocks.
(a) State what is meant by the term conservation. [1]
(b) Explain why catching too many fish can cause a fish population to fall very low. [2]
(c) Explain how using fishing nets with larger holes helps a fish population to recover. [3]
(d) Explain how banning fishing in an area at certain times of the year helps fish stocks. [2]
(e) Explain two reasons why it is important to conserve species and maintain biodiversity. [3]
Answer Details
This question tests reading catch data and explaining how a catch limit lets an overfished population recover.
(a) From year 1 to year 4 the mass caught fell sharply from year 1 to year 2 (85 to 40 thousand tonnes) [1], then rose again from year 2 to year 4 (40 up to 70) [1]. The initial fall reflects the limit imposed in year 2, and the later rise shows the stock recovering.
(b) A catch limit lets the population recover because fewer fish are removed / caught [1]; so more fish survive to reach breeding age and reproduce [1]; and the population can increase back towards its original size [1].
(c) Any two other conservation methods (1 each): control net mesh size so young fish can escape; set a minimum catchable size; create protected areas or closed seasons; or impose fishing quotas [2].
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