Unit 4: Part 1: Oceans Flashcards
(27 cards)
Why are whales hunted?
In the 20th century, upto 12000 tons of whale fat was annually used as fuel and lubricating oil
Whale ambergris is used in perfume
Whalebones used for corsets
The restaurant industry used the precious whale meat
What effect did whaling have on the whale population?
Almost pushed whales into extinction
Pre and post 20th century whaling:
Humpback’s 100,000 -> 42,000
Fin Whale’s 400,000 -> 38,000
Sei Whale’s 64,000 -> 11,000
When did the IWC issue an indefinite ban on commercial whale hunting?
1986
What did the IWC issue in 1994?
The Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary
Covered 50 million sq km around Antarctica
Complete ban on any whaling with the aim of allowing whale population to recover to some extent
What is the IWC
International Whaling Commission
Regulated the industry since 1946
Why are whales still hunted following the ban?
Indigenous groups were exempt of the IWC ban.
Japan still hunts for ‘scientific purposes’, before recommencing commercial hunting in 2019
Why has Japan continued hunting?
They have lowered the rate of hunting
Keep political constitutions happy
Some coastal towns economies thrive/depend on whaling
Pro-whaling side is politically stronger in Japan
Arguments for whaling?
Generational traditions in some areas
- ancient traditions such as Nalaka Tuck
Food for the indigenous
Economic growth
Arguments against whaling?
Vulnerable species
Body heat melts ice - leaving indigenous groups more vulnerable and furthers carving & env. damage
Env. damage through fuel burning
Decline of eating whale meat
Why are Marine Ecosystems being over exploited?
Middle and rich class growth = demand for delicacy has increased
Increased demand for high protein foods
What is Overfishing?
Where fish stocks are reduced to levels where populations are unable to sustain themselves.
Each person on average eats atleast 19kg of fish a year
In 2013, around 93 million tonnes of fish were caught world-wide
What is bycatching and how does it relate to overfishing?
Accidentally catching the wrong fish
Quotas put in place mean that fishers who use trawling (huge nets) will accidentally catch fish, and have to throw them back in as they met their quota, leading to the unnecessary killing of fish
Reason for the Canadian Newfoundland Cod Industry collapsing?
Fished 24/7 due to technological change
1962-77 harvested biomass dropped by 82%
Other countries also fished for N.Cod
Overfishing
How were fishermen compensated for the Canadian N.Cod collapse?
CD$225/ weekly for a year, then stops after that
What was the Cod Moratorium that took place in Newfoundland Canada?
1992 ban of all Cod fishing within Canadian borders
40,000 fishermen lost their jobs
What is sustainable management?
Meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
• oceans, seas and coastal areas are critical to sustainable development
• over 3 billion people depend on the marine and coastal resources for their livelihoods
• oceans are crucial for global food security and human health
What is being done at a global scale to manage marine environments sustainably?
1995 UN Fish Stock Agreement
2023 UN High Seas Treaty
What is the 2023 UN High Seas Treaty?
First legally binding treaty to protect marine biodiversity in international waters.
Covers nearly two-thirds of the ocean, aiming to regulate activities beyond national jurisdictions.
Establishes marine protected areas (MPAs) to safeguard ecosystems and species.
Requires environmental impact assessments for activities like fishing, shipping, and deep-sea mining.
Promotes fair sharing of marine genetic resources, ensuring equitable benefits from ocean discoveries.
Supports global conservation goals, including protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030.
Needs ratification by 60 countries before it can take effect—currently, only 21 have ratified it
What is the EU Common Fisheries Policy?
The CFP sets quotas for which member states are allowed to catch for each type of fish
The CFP was created to manage fish stock for the EU as a whole
The CFP has been criticised by fishermen who say it is threatening their livelihoods
What are Marine Reserves?
Protected zones within their EEZ, restricting the levels of fishing that can take place
MPA’s have increased more than 15-fold between 1993 and 2018
Summarise the Case Study of Tristan De Cunha
• The British Overseas Territory of Tristan da Cunha in the middle of the South Atlantic is the world’s remotest community of just 250 inhabitants.
• Established November 2020 by the local community, the British
Government and the RSPB, an area almost three times the size of the UK (687,000km2) was designated Marine Protection Zone status
• Created the 4th largest MPZ in the world, in which all fishing other extraction activities will be banned from 90% of the islands waters.
Summarise the case study of Lamlash Bay, Isle of Arran, Scotland
1980s fish stock began to collapse (96% of sea life died)
Bottom sea dredging restricted growth as fish eggs are laid at the bottom of the sea
Became a marine desert
Community of Arran Seabed Trust was created:
- Began in 2008
- 280km sq in 2016 after
expansion
- After 10 years 50% of biodiversity increased
- Double the volume of lobsters
- Scallops & lobsters are much bigger
Provides a nursery for new fish stock to grow & repopulate neighbouring areas of the sea
