Issues Affecting Marine Ecosystems

Question 1

Explain why the biodegradation of plastic might be more hazardous to the environment than the presence of plastic as marine debris.

Revolt · Accepted Answer

While plastic is not generally considered biodegradable, it can be broken down by the action of photodegradation and certain microbes. The breakdown products of plastic, however, are extremely toxic to marine life and once the plastic breaks down they are free to enter into the food chain. Therefore, while plastic marine debris is hazardous and dangerous to marine organisms, the toxic breakdown products of plastics have the potential to do even more damage.

Question 2

Marine debris typically _______a.sickens, injures, or kills marine animalsb.improves water qualityc.is not a problem for marine organismsd.originates from landlocked sources

Revolt · Accepted Answer

A

Question 3

By-catch is a term for that part of the catch _______.a.that is used to feed the ship’s crewb.caught at the lowest depthsc.that was actually being fished ford.that was not actually being fished for

Revolt · Accepted Answer

D

Question 4

The current responsible for holding the Great Pacific Garbage Patch together is called _______.a.the North Pacific Gyreb.the South Pacific Gyrec.the North Atlantic Gyred.the South Atlantic Gyre

Revolt · Accepted Answer

A

Question 5

Which of the following best explains why overfishing is considered a bad practice?a.Overfishing is not sustainable and ultimately depletes a fishery.b.Overfishing is a more expensive fishing practice.c.Overfishing results in species becoming overpopulated.d.Overfishing prevents the formation of protected habitats.

Revolt · Accepted Answer

A

Question 6

Describe the sources of marine debris and explain why it is a problem with global origins.

Revolt · Accepted Answer

Marine debris consists of most anything used and discarded by humans. Winds, rivers and storms can carry this debris to the ocean from far inland, so it is not solely a case of pollution along shorelines. It is also true that oceangoing ships directly contribute to marine debris while they are at sea and not associated with any particular nation.

Question 7

Explain how Seafood Watch promotes environmentally responsible fishing practices.

Revolt · Accepted Answer

Seafood Watch identifies seafood that has been harvested in a sustainable manner and promotes this seafood over varieties that were not sustainably harvested. The idea is that only the fishermen utilizing sustainable practices are rewarded financially and will therefore outcompete their competitors. The theory goes that over a long period of time, only fishermen using sustainable practices will remain in business.

Question 8

Explain how a policy strategy to reduce, reuse, and recycle might mitigate the impacts of marine debris.

Revolt · Accepted Answer

Marine debris results from human garbage that makes its way to the ocean. A strategy to reduce, reuse, and recycle would generally reduce the amount of garbage produced by society with the additional effect of reducing the amount of garbage that becomes marine debris.

Question 9

Explain why bottom trawling is still being practiced when it is generally acknowledged as destructive and unsustainable?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

For some species of fish, bottom trawling is the most cost effective means of harvesting it. Additionally, as the populations of some fish decline their price goes up dramatically, making even a single catch extremely valuable.

Issues Affecting Marine Ecosystems Answers

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