What does overfishing mean for the ocean? (Secondary) - Lesson One

Lesson 1 - What does overfishing mean?
1 / 11
next
Slide 1: Slide
Social StudiesHistory+39th,10th Grade

This lesson contains 11 slides, with interactive quiz, text slides and 1 video.

time-iconLesson duration is: 45 min

Introduction

Lesson 1 – What does overfishing mean? This lesson explains what is meant by overfishing and sustainable fishing. Learning activities:  Research the current extent of overfishing and discuss a case study.

Instructions



Time: 45 minutes

Contact: education@seashepherdglobal.org
© Sea Shepherd 2022

Instructions

Items in this lesson

Lesson 1 - What does overfishing mean?

Slide 1 - Slide

This lesson is provided by Sea Shepherd.  Sea Shepherd was founded in 1977 and is a marine conservation organisation working to protect the oceans and marine wildlife.  Sea Shepherd works globally on a range of issues impacting the oceans, running numerous direct action campaigns each year. 
What you already know...
You are going to learn...
Action required!

Evaluate your knowledge

Click on the image

Watch  the video

Slide 2 - Slide

During the lesson we will use these icons to identify the learning actions.

What is meant by overfishing?

Slide 3 - Open question

Ask students: “What is meant by the term ‘overfishing’?


Illegal Fishing
Illegal fishing means that the fishermen enter the territorial waters of a country or regulated marine zone without permission or without a license for the fish they intend to catch.

They are stealing from these waters.
OVERFISHING

 is the depletion of fish numbers by excessive fishing.


Overfished populations - depleted the numbers of fish (in specific area) by excessive fishing

Slide 4 - Slide

Overfishing – is the depletion of fish numbers by excessive fishing.
Overfished populations - depleted numbers of fish (in a specific area) by excessive fishing, ultimately leading to the collapse of fisheries.

Illegal Fishing
Illegal fishing means that the fishermen enter the territorial waters of a country or regulated marine zone without permission or without a license for the fish they intend to catch.

They are stealing from these waters.
SUSTAINABLE - CONSERVATION

all marine species have healthy thriving populations, that keep ecosystems in balance, like coral reefs.


Slide 5 - Slide

There are two ways to view the term sustainable.
From a conservation perspective organisations like Sea Shepherd look to see that all marine species have healthy thriving populations, that keep ecosystems in balance, like coral reefs. This means the species is genetically strong and has sufficient numbers to withstand other threats, such as climate change impacts on the ocean or plastic pollution.

Illegal Fishing
Illegal fishing means that the fishermen enter the territorial waters of a country or regulated marine zone without permission or without a license for the fish they intend to catch.

They are stealing from these waters.
SUSTAINABLE - FISHERIES MANAGEMENT

maintaining the current level, keeping things
as they are.


Overfishing in this context is fishing that depletes a population to a level that reduces its population.

Slide 6 - Slide

Commercial fishing has a different perspective. They are focused on sustainable fisheries management.

Sustainability in this context means that it supplies the need for food for human consumption, now and in the future. So as long as there is enough fish left to grow and breed, they claim it is ok to catch the same amount of fish again the following year as it is deemed to be sustainable.  In this interpretation “Sustainable” means maintaining the current level.
Overfishing in this context is fishing that depletes a population to a level that reduces its population, ultimately leading to the collapse of fisheries.

Illegal Fishing
Illegal fishing means that the fishermen enter the territorial waters of a country or regulated marine zone without permission or without a license for the fish they intend to catch.

They are stealing from these waters.
90% OF FISH SPECIES OVERFISHED


two-thirds of the world’s fisheries are fully exploited and 26% are over-exploited, which means that only around 10% of our planet's fisheries are healthy

Slide 7 - Slide

This slide shows how much of the ocean has already been overfished.  
The United Nations believes two-thirds of the world’s fisheries are fully exploited and 26% are over-exploited, which means that only around 10% of our planet's fisheries are healthy.

Introduction to IUU fishing and the impact of overfishing.
Case study - Canadian herring fisheries

Slide 8 - Slide

Increasing number of fisheries are declining.  One example is the herring fishing industry in Canada.
We will use a Sea Shepherd’s campaign Operation Backbone, highlighting the issue of declining herring numbers.  The aim of the campaign was to protect the last herring in the Salish Sea, on the west coast of British Columbia, Canada.
Department of Fisheries data in 2019 showed a 60% decline in herring numbers since 2016.
Herring were predicted to be approximately 122,291 tonnes in 2019, but only 85,700 tonnes actually returned. Despite declining numbers, a commercial herring fishery was allowed to continue. The fishery not only targets herring, but also herring roe.
Herring are part of the local food chain, that supports local species, including Chinook Salmon and Southern Resident Killer Whales.

Slide 9 - Video

Example of overfishing – herring industry in Canada.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nztNeDLyhDI

www.seashepherdglobal.org

Slide 10 - Slide

This item has no instructions

LEARNING ACTIVITIES

Slide 11 - Slide

Refer Teachers Guide for Learning Activities.