Introduction

In this Subject Sampler you will dive into a serious problem that we are having with our ocean resources. On the one hand, over half the people on the earth are fed from the oceans, so the demand for fish is tremendous. To meet those demands, more efficient means of catching fish are being developed. On the other hand, some ocean resources are being ruined by overharvesting and habitat destruction caused by these fishing practices. So, dive in and have a look for yourself. Is there evidence anywhere in the sites that you are about to visit that will indicate what you are now doing -researching- does pay off, that things do change for the better? You'll find yourself making a decision on you own, so shove off! What are you waiting for?

Internet Activities

Gulf Stream

1. What two warm ocean currents fuse together to form the Gulf Stream?
2. Along the Atlantic coast, the Gulf Stream flows from what two areas?

The Grand Banks

1. On what part of the ocean floor are the Grand Banks located?
2. Why are the Grand Banks so important to us?
3. What problems developed in the mid-20th century with the Grand Banks?

Grand Banks fishing history

1. Why are so many fish found on the Grand Banks?
2. What countries send their fishing fleets to the Grand Banks?
3. What problems have come from all these countries fishing there?

The Causes and Results of the Collapse of the Fisheries

1. How did the 'Invasion of the Distant-Water Fishing Factories' change the methods of fishing?
2. How did the Destructive Dragger Technology upset the balance of nature?
3. Following the '92 ban on cod fishing, what happened to fishermen?

Life Cycle of the Cod

1. Under the Cod Spawn section, what happens to the 6 million eggs she lays at one spawning?
2. Under the Reproduction section, if cod can reproduce at 6 years of age, why not catch cod only that age and older?
3. Would it be wiser to catch only cod younger than 6 years of age?

SeaWorld's Site on Issues Relating to Fishing Practices and Dolphin Mortality

1. Gill nets are effective ways of catching fish, but what happens to other animals caught in the nets?
2. On the Japanese ships what were the numbers on non-target species that were killed?
3. How did letter writing campaigns help to stop the killing of dolphins in the seine nets?

Catching Ocean Fish- kinds of Nets, Traps, Trawling

1. How do handlining and jigging affect the number of fish caught?
2. How do gillnets make it more efficient to catch many fish?
3. Why are the stern trawlers the most efficient trawler available today?

Conclusion

Who's right? We need to feed the world's people. Have we made mistakes? Should the fishing banks be closed? Should we insist on laws to protect our other resources? As a responsible fisherman, even when you go down to the brook with your pole, take a moment to consider of what 'value' are these, the smallest of fish and water creatures. Everything has its place and purpose. Where do they and you fit in?