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The depletion of a resource - Junior Cycle Geography - Question A - 2008
Question A
The depletion of a resource. The graph shows a decline over time in herring catches in part of the Celtic Sea. (i) Calculate the decline in the herring catch betwe... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:The depletion of a resource - Junior Cycle Geography - Question A - 2008
Step 1
Calculate the decline in the herring catch between the year of maximum catch and the year of minimum catch.
Answer
To calculate the decline in herring catch, first identify the years of maximum and minimum catches from the graph:
- The maximum catch occurred in 1992, with approximately 15 thousand tonnes.
- The minimum catch occurred in 2000, with approximately 9 thousand tonnes.
The decline in herring catches can be calculated using the formula:
Decline = Maximum Catch - Minimum Catch
Decline = 15,000 - 9,000 = 6,000 tonnes.
Thus, the decline in herring catch is 6,000 tonnes.
Step 2
Explain two reasons for the decline in fish stocks in Irish waters in recent years.
Answer
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Increased Efficiency of Fishing Boats: Modern fishing boats are equipped with advanced technologies such as radar and sonar. This makes it easier for them to locate fish, leading to overfishing and subsequently a decline in fish stocks.
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Overfishing: High demand for fish has driven excessive fishing beyond sustainable levels. This overfishing reduces the breeding population, causing a significant drop in fish stocks in Irish waters.
Step 3
Describe two ways in which this might be achieved.
Answer
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Implementation of Quotas: The Irish Government and the European Union can introduce quotas that limit the amount of fish each member state can catch. This helps ensure that fish populations are not depleted beyond sustainable levels.
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Fishing Licenses: Regulations can require fishing licenses to be issued, which can include stipulations on the type and quantity of fish that can be caught. This measure aims to control and manage fish stocks effectively.