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As a young person, you grew up in a fishing town along the West Coast of South Africa - NSC Marine Sciences - Question 5 - 2023 - Paper 1
Question 5
As a young person, you grew up in a fishing town along the West Coast of South Africa. Since then you have left the town to study and your studies focused on aquacul... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:As a young person, you grew up in a fishing town along the West Coast of South Africa - NSC Marine Sciences - Question 5 - 2023 - Paper 1
Step 1
Describe aquaculture to the community.
Answer
Aquaculture, often referred to as fish farming, is the practice of cultivating aquatic organisms such as fish, crustaceans, and aquatic plants in controlled environments. It involves the breeding, rearing, and harvesting of these organisms, and is essential for managing resources sustainably. The process allows for the maintenance of water quality, temperature, and salinity, ensuring that organisms grow in optimal conditions. This practice has gained importance in addressing the declining fish stocks in the wild and can serve as a reliable source of seafood.
Step 2
Inform the community about TWO socio-economic benefits of aquaculture, OTHER than food security.
Answer
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Improve Nutrition: Aquaculture plays a crucial role in enhancing local nutrition. Particularly in rural areas where food insecurity is prevalent, farmed fish serve as a rich source of essential nutrients like Omega-3 fatty acids, proteins, and vitamins. This is especially vital in regions struggling with malnutrition.
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Increase Employment: The establishment of aquaculture can stimulate local economies by providing job opportunities for residents. This could include roles in farming, transport, processing, and sales. Additionally, by involving local communities in the industry, aquaculture can generate further employment in related infrastructure development and education.
Step 3
Raise concerns about how aquaculture could result in further risk to local fisheries.
Answer
While aquaculture offers significant benefits, it also presents risks to local fisheries. One concern is the potential for inbreeding, which may threaten the genetic diversity of wild fish stocks. Additionally, overharvesting of small wild fish for feed can deplete natural populations. There is also the risk of introducing invasive species, which could harm local ecosystems. Furthermore, dependence on aquaculture may lead to neglect of sustainable fishing practices, exacerbating the challenges faced by traditional fisheries.
Step 4
Critically evaluate whether aquaculture, in your opinion, would provide food security in the town.
Answer
Aquaculture has the potential to enhance food security in the town by providing a steady supply of seafood, thereby alleviating some of the pressure on wild fish stocks. By cultivating fish locally, the town can benefit from consistent access to fresh produce, improving overall nutrition. However, for aquaculture to truly contribute to food security, it must be managed sustainably. This includes balancing fish farming practices with the health of marine ecosystems and ensuring that the community members are actively involved in the process.
Step 5
In your conclusion, motivate whether you (as a previous resident of the town) will recommend the proposed aquaculture industry.
Answer
In conclusion, I would recommend the proposed aquaculture industry for our town. It promises to provide economic stability and job creation while enhancing food availability. However, this recommendation comes with the caveat that it must be implemented with sustainable practices in place to protect our local fisheries and environment. By doing so, we can ensure that the benefits of aquaculture can be enjoyed by the community now and in the future.