All flashcards
Flashcard 1: What is the purpose of fishery certification programs?
Answer: They promote sustainable fishing practices. Certification ensures fish are caught using sustainable methods.
Flashcard 2: What is aquaculture?
Answer: Aquaculture is the farming of aquatic organisms for food. Fish farming can reduce pressure on wild fish stocks.
Flashcard 3: Explain one economic impact of overfishing.
Answer: Decreased fishery yields lead to economic losses. Reduced fish stocks mean lower income for fishing industry.
Flashcard 4: What is the impact of overfishing on apex predators?
Answer: It reduces their populations due to prey scarcity. Top predators need abundant prey fish to survive.
Flashcard 5: How do marine reserves contribute to fish stock recovery?
Answer: They provide safe havens for fish populations to replenish. Protected areas act as breeding grounds for fish recovery.
Flashcard 6: Name one species commonly affected by overfishing.
Answer: Atlantic cod is commonly affected by overfishing. Atlantic cod stocks collapsed due to intensive fishing pressure.
Flashcard 7: How does overfishing impact oceanic nutrient cycles?
Answer: It alters the balance of nutrient distribution in the ocean. Fish transport nutrients between different ocean zones.
Flashcard 8: What is one measure to reduce bycatch?
Answer: Using selective fishing gear reduces bycatch. Modified gear allows target species capture while releasing others.
Flashcard 9: What is bycatch?
Answer: Bycatch is the capture of non-target species during fishing. Unintentional catch that harms non-target marine life.
Flashcard 10: Identify a consequence of reduced fish populations on human health.
Answer: Reduced fish populations can lead to nutritional deficiencies. Fish provide omega-3 fatty acids and essential nutrients.
Flashcard 11: Name a method to assess fish stock health.
Answer: Stock assessments evaluate fish population dynamics. Scientific monitoring tracks population size and health trends.
Flashcard 12: Why is overfishing a global issue?
Answer: Fish migrate across borders, affecting multiple nations' stocks. Migratory species cross national boundaries requiring global management.
Flashcard 13: What is the impact of overfishing on seagrass beds?
Answer: It can lead to the decline of these critical habitats. Seagrass beds serve as nurseries for many fish species.
Flashcard 14: Identify one way consumers can help reduce overfishing.
Answer: Choosing sustainably sourced seafood helps reduce overfishing. Consumer demand drives sustainable fishing practices in markets.
Flashcard 15: What is the maximum sustainable yield (MSY)?
Answer: MSY is the largest catch that can be taken without depleting the stock. The optimal harvest level that maintains stable populations.
Flashcard 16: Identify a regulatory measure to combat overfishing.
Answer: Catch limits are a regulatory measure to combat overfishing. Limits ensure fishing stays within sustainable levels.
Flashcard 17: What is a fishery collapse?
Answer: A fishery collapse is the decline of fish stocks to unsustainable levels. Fish stocks drop below levels needed for population recovery.
Flashcard 18: What is overfishing?
Answer: Overfishing is the depletion of fish stocks due to excessive fishing. Occurs when fishing exceeds the rate at which fish can reproduce.
Flashcard 19: How does overfishing affect genetic diversity in fish populations?
Answer: It reduces genetic diversity, weakening populations. Smaller populations have reduced genetic variation for adaptation.
Flashcard 20: What is the precautionary principle in fisheries management?
Answer: It is managing fisheries conservatively to prevent overfishing. Err on the side of caution when scientific data is uncertain.
Flashcard 21: What is the role of marine protected areas (MPAs) in combating overfishing?
Answer: MPAs help preserve fish stocks by restricting fishing. Protected areas allow fish populations to recover and reproduce.
Flashcard 22: Identify one ecological impact of overfishing.
Answer: Disruption of marine food webs. Removing key species disrupts predator-prey relationships.
Flashcard 23: What is the role of quotas in fisheries management?
Answer: Quotas limit the total catch to prevent overfishing. Setting maximum catch amounts prevents stock depletion.
Flashcard 24: What is illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing?
Answer: IUU fishing violates laws and goes unreported, harming fish stocks. Unregulated fishing that undermines conservation efforts globally.
Flashcard 25: Explain the concept of 'fishing down the food web.'
Answer: It refers to targeting smaller, less valuable species as larger ones decline. Depleting top predators forces fishing of lower trophic levels.
Flashcard 26: Why is international cooperation necessary in combating overfishing?
Answer: Fish migrate across borders, requiring coordinated management. Shared fish stocks require multinational management agreements.
Flashcard 27: How does overfishing affect the carbon cycle?
Answer: It disrupts marine ecosystems that sequester carbon. Fish transport nutrients and carbon throughout ocean systems.
Flashcard 28: Which fishing method often results in bycatch?
Answer: Trawling often results in bycatch. Bottom trawling is non-selective and catches many species.
Flashcard 29: What is the effect of overfishing on marine mammal populations?
Answer: It depletes their food sources, impacting their survival. Marine mammals depend on fish as their primary food source.
Flashcard 30: Identify one social impact of overfishing.
Answer: Loss of livelihoods for fishing communities. Fishing communities lose jobs when fish stocks decline.