THE FACTS ABOUT FISH FARMS
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES – SECONDARY
The Facts about Fish Farms
Lesson Overview:
Students will examine a controversial issue that affects many Canadians. They
will analyze the advantages and disadvantages of aquaculture based on an
article in Canadian Geographic magazine. Using the facts gathered from the
article, students will design an advertisement, which will promote or denounce
fish farms.
Grade Level:
Grades 9-12
Time Required:
Two 60-minute lessons
Curriculum Connection (Province and course):
Northwest Territories – Social Studies 10 – Challenges for Canada
 Canada is composed of geographic regions with diverse political,
economic and social interests.
 Regional differences both strengthen and challenge Canadian unity.
(Examples of regional interest include the Atlantic fisheries, the West
Coast and Pacific Rim.)
Link to Canadian National Geography Standards:
Essential Element #2: Places and Regions
 Regional analysis of geographic issues and questions
Oceans Scope & Sequence Standard #2: Places and Regions
 Analysis of regional ocean issues and problems
Essential Element #5: Environment and Society
 Use and sustainability of resources
Oceans Scope & Sequence Standard #5: Environment and Society
 Changes in world ocean resources and distribution over time
Essential Element #6: The Uses of Geography
 Regional policies and problems with spatial dimensions
Geographic Skill #2: Acquiring Geographic Information
 Systematically assess the value and use of geographic information
Canadian Council for Geographic Education (www.ccge.org)
Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society
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THE FACTS ABOUT FISH FARMS
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES – SECONDARY
Additional Resources, Materials and Equipment Required:
 Canadian Geographic magazine, September/October 2004 issue, “Sea of
Salmon” article, page 48

“Oceans for Life” brochure

Copies of the “Fact Gathering” sheet
Main Objective:
Students will gather factual information about fish farming in Canada and create
a convincing advertisement based on their research.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

Distinguish between fact and opinion.

Gather, organize and assess the value of information from a secondary
source.

Analyze the advantages and disadvantages of fish farming.

Appreciate the national and global implications of a regional issue.

Form an educated opinion about the sustainability of aquaculture.

Create a convincing advertisement that portrays one side of the argument.
The Lesson:
Teacher Activity
Introduction




Begin the lesson by talking about the importance
of the ocean and ocean resources.
Read “The Importance of Oceans” aloud to the
class from the back of the “Oceans for Life”
brochure.
Introduce the lesson topic by explaining to
students that they will be analyzing a national
issue that is particularly significant for the East and
West Coasts of Canada.
Brainstorm with students to find out what they
know about “fish farming”. Review the difference
between fact and opinion using the list of
information that you compile.
Canadian Council for Geographic Education (www.ccge.org)
Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society
Student Activity

Listen to a brief reading
about “The Importance of
Oceans” from the “Oceans
for Life” brochure.

Brainstorm about fish
farming. Discuss the
difference between factual
information and opinions.
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Conclusion
Lesson Development
THE FACTS ABOUT FISH FARMS
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES – SECONDARY
First Class:
 Distribute the Sea of Salmon article from
Canadian Geographic. Ask the students to read
the article and highlight/underline facts about the
advantages and disadvantages of fish farms.
 Distribute the “Fact Gathering” sheet to the
students. Ask them to complete the chart by listing
the advantages and disadvantages of fish farming.
They will need to have this completed for the next
class.
Second Class:
 Assign students to be for or against fish farming.
Explain to the students that they are going to
design an Advertisement to promote or denounce
fish farming. They must create a convincing
advertisement (poster, commercial, cartoon,
editorial, jingle) that is based on the facts from
their assigned perspective.

Ask students to share their advertisements with
the class.

Read the article and
highlight/underline facts
about the advantages and
disadvantages of fish farms.

Complete the “Fact
Gathering” sheet.

Create advertisement.

Share advertisements with
the class.
Lesson Extension:
Show a video about Aquaculture. Ask students to record facts, opinions and
elements of bias.
Apply this exercise to a local controversial issue.
Assessment of Student Learning:
Teachers could collect and evaluate the “Fact Gathering” sheets and/or the
advertisements.
Canadian Council for Geographic Education (www.ccge.org)
Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society
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THE FACTS ABOUT FISH FARMS
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES – SECONDARY
The Facts about Fish Farms – Fact Gathering
Sheet
Use the article “Sea of Salmon” to complete this part of the assignment.
1. Define the following terms from the article:
a) Aquaculture
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
b) PCBs
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
c) Eutrophication
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
d) “Genetic Pollution”
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Canadian Council for Geographic Education (www.ccge.org)
Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society
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THE FACTS ABOUT FISH FARMS
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES – SECONDARY
2. List the advantages and disadvantages of fish farming in the chart below. List
only factual information.
Facts about Fish Farming
Advantages
Canadian Council for Geographic Education (www.ccge.org)
Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society
Disadvantages
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