Aquatic Food Production Systems Flashcards

Flashcards about aquatic food production systems.

Phytoplankton

Microscopic organisms in marine and fresh water bodies that can perform photosynthesis.

Macrophytes

Aquatic plants that are visible to the naked eye.

Emergent macrophytes

Plants that grow above the water surface.

Submerged macrophytes

Plants that grow completely underwater.

Floating macrophytes

Plants that float on the water surface.

Producers

Capture energy from sunlight through photosynthesis

Primary consumers

Zooplankton, small fish and some invertebrates and birds that feed on primary producers.

Secondary consumers

Larger fish and birds that consume primary consumers.

Tertiary consumers

Top predators like sharks and birds of prey that eat secondary consumers.

Decomposers

Aquatic bacteria and fungi that break down dead organisms, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.

Watercress

Leafy green plant popular in the UK, grown in shallow, flowing water beds fed by natural springs or streams.

Tilapia

Freshwater fish consumed worldwide, raised in freshwater ponds or recirculating aquaculture systems.

Orkney Scallops

Type of shellfish that is a delicacy in Scotland, UK, collected by divers from the seabed around the Orkney Islands.

Shrimp

Small crustacean found in oceans worldwide and consumed globally, raised in coastal ponds or tanks.

Bottom trawling

Dragging heavy nets along the seabed.

Ghost fishing

Abandoned or lost fishing gear that continues to catch marine life.

Use of poisons

Using poisons and toxic substances to stun or kill fish.

Use of explosives

Using explosives to stun or kill fish.

Overexploitation

Harvesting fish at a rate faster than they can reproduce.

Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY)

The maximum amount of a renewable natural resource that can be harvested annually without compromising the long-term productivity of the resource.

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

Areas of seas and oceans where human activities are restricted or managed to protect marine ecosystems and biodiversity.

Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) label

Indicates sustainably sourced seafood.

Aquaculture

The farming of aquatic organisms in controlled environments.

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

Regions of seas and oceans where human activities are restricted or managed.

Fish stock assessment

The process of estimating the size and health of fish populations in a given area.

Trawl surveys

Dragging nets through the water to sample fish populations; provides data on species, size, and abundance for stock estimates.

Acoustic surveys

Using sonar to detect fish schools by bouncing sound waves off them; ideal for pelagic species and allows for quick, large-area population assessments.

Landing records (catch data)

Collecting data from official port records to track the amount of fish brought ashore by fisheries; helps compare actual catches with estimated sustainable levels.

Portside sampling

Collecting data on fish size, age, and species at ports; provides insights into the health and reproductive potential of stocks.

On-board observations

Trained observers on fishing vessels record catch details and monitor compliance; provides independent verification of the data, ensuring accurate reporting of catches and reduces underreporting and bycatch misreporting.

Research surveys

Independent scientific expeditions assess fish stocks using trawl or acoustic methods; provides unbiased, reliable data on population trends.

Tag and recapture surveys

Fish are tagged, released, and later recaptured to estimate population size and movement; often used for highly migratory species and helps track fish growth rates and migration patterns.

Governments' Role in Regulation

Establishing laws and policies to protect over fished species, such as setting fishing quotas and imposing temporary bans.

Fishing companies and fishermen compliance

Using gear that prevents bycatch.

Informed Consumer Choices

Consumers can support recovery by choosing sustainably sourced fish.

Advocacy and education

NGOs raise awareness about over fishing and advocate for stricter conservation measures.

Role in the supply chain

Traders and supermarkets have influence over the demand for specific fish species.

International cooperation

Businesses operating in different countries need to comply with both local and international regulations to prevent over fishing.

Marine harvesting

The collection of resources from the ocean, including fish, seals, whales, and dolphins.

United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)

A convention created in 1982 that is the law and governance of all oceans and resources.

Internal waters

Waters on the landward side of the baseline of a coastal state, including rivers, lakes, and ports.

Territorial sea

An area extending 12 nautical miles from the baseline.

Contiguous zone

An area extending from 12 to 24 nautical miles from the baseline.

Exclusive economic zone

An area extending from the baseline out to 200 nautical miles.

High seas

The areas of the ocean that lie beyond the EEZ.

Annual yield

The annual gain in biomass or energy through growth.

Fishing Quotas

Limits for the amount and sizes of particular fish species that can be caught in a given area.

Climate change

Significant changes in global temperatures and weather patterns over time, mostly driven by human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes.

Ocean acidification

The ongoing decrease in the pH of Earth's oceans caused by absorption of excess carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere.

Thermal stratification

The water forms layers based on temperature, with warmer water on the surface and colder water below.

Nutrient Mixing

Nutrients that are essential for phytoplankton growth often sink to deeper waters. Mixing processes, such as wind-driven currents and seasonal overturning, bring these nutrients back to the surface

Photosynthesis

Light is crucial for this process. Its availability decreases with depths.

Coastal Areas produvticity in the sea

Highly productive due to nutrient inputs from rivers and upwelling.

Tropical Regions productivity in the sea

Especially in shallow areas, tend to be more productive due to constant sunlight.

Upwelling Zones produvtivity

Among the most productive regions in the ocean. Winds and ocean currents along some coastlines drive surface water away, allowing cold, nutrient-rich water to rise.

Fish Stock Assessment

The process of estimating the size and health of fish populations in a given area.

Sustainable Fisheries

Aim to ensure that the rate of fish caught does not exceed the population’s ability to reproduce.

Reason behind limiting the number of fishing licenses

Licenses can prevent overexploitation. This helps control the number of vessels allowed to fish in a given area

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)

Raise awareness about overfishing and advocate for stricter conservation measures. They work with governments and industries

Foreign Nations and Business

Operate in different countries need to comply with both local and international regulations to prevent overfishing