Outcomes:
4.7.1 Examine impacts on a marine ecosystem. (a)
4.7.2 Examine trends in fish catches over an extended period. (a)
4.7.3 Develop an argument for the development of the aquaculture sector of the
fishery. (i)
4.7.4 Identify major sources of ocean pollution. (k)
4.7.5 Examine the impact of new catch technology on the ocean environment. (a)
4.7.6 Develop strategies for a sustainable fishery. (i)
4.7.7 Predict possible effects of a declining fish resource on the livelihood of fishers. (i)
Lesson 1: Acquire basic knowledge about the fishery and fish as an ocean resource.
Major World Fish Stocks
Simply put the worlds fish stocks are located almost exclusively on the continental shelves.
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Figure 12.3 indicates that about 80% of fish harvested come from oceans.
Why is this obvious? Most of the world’s water is ocean therefore it would be expected that fresh
water would only contain a small portion of the world’s fish.
Figure 12.7 on page 202 might be a bit of a surprise to us Newfoundland and Labradoreans. It shows
the world regions by tones of fish caught. There seem to be four major fishing regions, globally
speaking and eastern North America (north western Atlantic) is not one of them. The 4 major fishing
regions are:
o North east Atlantic (England/Norway);
o North west Pacific (Japan);
o West central Pacific (China/Indonesia);
o South east Pacific (Western South America).
Continental Shelves
Most fishing grounds are found on continental shelves for 2 reasons.
a.
The shallow waters of the self make harvesting more cost effective. The fish have to be landed
on shore for human use so the regions closer to shore are fished most profitably. See Figure 12.6 on
page 202.
b. Most of the fish are on the continental shelves. The shallow waters of the shelf promote plankton
production which serve as the base of the marine food web including fish.
 Shallow water ensures enough light for phytoplankton and effective circulation of
nutrients. See figure 12.4 on page 200. Figure 12.6, page 202 shows stocks
correspond to shelves & figure 12.4 shows food web and shelves.
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Read the introduction to Chapter 12 on page 197.
Read "Fish as a Food Source" on page 198 of your text book.
Complete Question #1 p. 198
Read "Major Source areas for Fish Harvesting" on pages 198-199 of your text book.
Complete Question #2 p. 199
Read "Locations of Fish Stocks and Fishing Grounds" on pages 199-201.
Complete Questions #3 & 4 & 5 on page 201
Read "Fishing Grounds" on page 201 of your text book.
Complete Question #6 & 7 on page 203