4.3 Aquatic food production systems

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts from the lecture on aquatic food production systems.

Phytoplankton

Microscopic marine algae, diatoms, and dinoflagellates that are primary producers in aquatic food webs.

Aquaculture

The farming of aquatic organisms, including fish, mollusks, crustaceans, and aquatic plants.

Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY)

The highest possible annual catch that can be sustained over time without depleting the population.

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

Regions designated to protect marine ecosystems from human activity and promote sustainable yields.

Overfishing

The depletion of fish stocks due to fishing at rates higher than can be replenished.

Bycatch

The unintentional capture of non-target species during fishing operations.

Marine ecosystem

A complex network of living organisms in ocean environments, including habitats like coral reefs and estuaries.

Unsustainable harvesting practices

Methods of obtaining aquatic resources that lead to the decline of fish populations and ecosystem health.

Ocean acidification

The process by which increasing atmospheric CO2 is absorbed by seawater, causing a decrease in pH levels.

Aquatic food webs

Interconnected food chains in aquatic ecosystems, consisting of producers, consumers, and decomposers.

Catch-share programs

Rights-based management where fishers have a secure share of the total catch, helping to prevent overfishing.

Ecosystem management

A holistic approach to managing natural resources that considers interconnections within ecosystems.