Commercial Fishing Practices and Their Impact

Front

Bottom trawling: Describe the practice.

Back

Drag a net along the ocean bottom, catches many non-target species (bycatch), and causes benthic habitat destruction.

Front

Bottom trawling: Explain its role in the depletion of marine organisms.

Back

Especially damaging to reefs and seamounts, it destroys the natural seafloor habitat by rototilling the seabed, affecting bottom-dwelling plants and animals.

Front

Long-line fishing: Describe the practice.

Back

Fishing line with many hooks, extending for long distances, and allowed to drift, catches many non-target species (bycatch).

Front

Long-line fishing: Explain its role in the depletion of marine organisms.

Back

It causes high levels of bycatch, impacting vulnerable species like sea turtles and sharks, often resulting in injury or death.

Front

Using drift nets/gill nets/purse seines: Describe the practice.

Back

Purse seine nets encircle a school of fish, while drift nets catch anything that entangles in them, leading to a lot of bycatch.

Front

Using sonar: Describe the practice.

Back

Fisheries sonar emits sound pulses to locate fish and can target specific species.

Front

Using sonar: Explain its role in the depletion of marine organisms.

Back

It can cause stress responses in marine life, disrupt communication and feeding behaviors, and lead to heavy fishing of certain species.

Front

Marine Sanctuaries Act: What does it do?

Back

Protects habitat for marine organisms and creates no-fishing zones for restoration.

Front

Endangered Species Act: What does it do?

Back

Prohibits harm or harvesting of endangered species and protects their habitats.

Front

Marine Mammal Protection Act: What does it do?

Back

Conserves marine mammals, including their migratory pathways and breeding grounds.