Demand for aquatic food resources Wild fisheries are also known as “capture continues to increase as human fisheries”. population grows and diet changes. Aquaculture is the farming of aquatic Photosynthesis by phytoplankton organisms in both coastal and inland supports a highly diverse range of food areas that involves intervention in the webs. rearing process to enhance production. Aquatic (freshwater and marine) flora Examine different points of view and fauna are harvested by humans. regarding harvesting of a controversial The highest rates of productivity are species; for example, the historical Inuit found near coastlines or in shallow seas, tradition of whaling versus modern where upwellings and nutrient international conventions. enrichment of surface waters occurs. When looking at the increase in demand Harvesting some species, such as seals for food resources, consideration should and whales, can be controversial. Ethical be given to changes in attitude towards issues arise over biorights, rights of and food fashions. “health foods” indigenous cultures and international Consider how two contrasting fisheries conservation legislation. have been managed and relate to the Developments in fishing equipment and concept of sustainability; for example, changes to fishing methods have led to cod fisheries in Newfoundland and dwindling fish stocks and damage to Iceland. Issues that should be covered habitats. include: improvements to boats, fishing Unsustainable exploitation of aquatic gear (trawler bags), and detection of systems can be mitigated at a variety of fisheries and boats via satellites. levels (international, national, local and Management aspects should include: individual) through policy, legislation and use of quotas, designation of marine changes in consumer behavior. protected areas (exclusion zones), and Aquaculture has grown to provide restriction on types and size of fishing additional food resources and support gear (including mesh size of nets). economic development and is expected Students should understand maximum to continue to rise. sustainable yield (MSY) as applied to fish Issues around aquaculture include: loss stocks. of habitats, pollution (with feed, International-mindedness: antifouling agents, antibiotics and other medicines added to fish pens), spread of diseases and escaped species (some
Demand for aquatic food resources continues to increase as human population grows and diet changes. Photosynthesis by phytoplankton supports a highly diverse range of food webs. Aquatic (freshwater and marine) flora and fauna are harvested by humans. The highest rates of productivity are found near coastlines or in shallow seas, where upwellings and nutrient enrichment of surface waters occurs. Harvesting some species, such as seals and whales, can be controversial. Ethical issues arise over biorights, rights of indigenous cultures and international conservation legislation. Developments in fishing equipment and changes to fishing methods have led to dwindling fish stocks and damage to habitats. Unsustainable exploitation of aquatic systems can be mitigated at a variety of levels (international, national, local and individual) through policy, legislation and changes in consumer behavior. Aquaculture has grown to provide additional food resources and support economic development and is expected to continue to rise. Issues around aquaculture include: loss of habitats, pollution (with feed, antifouling agents, antibiotics and other medicines added to fish pens), spread of diseases and escaped species (some Wild fisheries are also known as “capture fisheries”. Aquaculture is the farming of aquatic organisms in both coastal and inland areas that involves intervention in the rearing process to enhance production. Examine different points of view regarding harvesting of a controversial species; for example, the historical Inuit tradition of whaling versus modern international conventions. When looking at the increase in demand for food resources, consideration should be given to changes in attitude towards “health foods” and food fashions. Consider how two contrasting fisheries have been managed and relate to the concept of sustainability; for example, cod fisheries in Newfoundland and Iceland. Issues that should be covered include: improvements to boats, fishing gear (trawler bags), and detection of fisheries and boats via satellites. Management aspects should include: use of quotas, designation of marine protected areas (exclusion zones), and restriction on types and size of fishing gear (including mesh size of nets). Students should understand maximum sustainable yield (MSY) as applied to fish stocks. International-mindedness:
IB_Environmental_Systems_and_Societies_2016.docx