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Ways to Protect the Environment

 
Sustainable Fishing
Exploring Pollution Solutions
Protecting Habitats
Understanding Global Climate Change
 
 Sustainable Fishing

Overview | Major Challenges

Overview

What is sustainable fishing?

Anyone who has eaten a tuna fish sandwich can tell you that ocean is an important and delicious source of nourishment. 'Shellfish,' or marine invertebrates such as shrimp, crabs, lobsters, clams, oysters, and mussels, are delicious, healthy foods that are high in protein and low in fat. True fish such as tuna, cod, and salmon, are also high in protein. Many fish are excellent sources of healthy fats and oils which are necessary to keep our brains, hearts and circulatory systems functioning properly.

Fish and shellfish can continue to be an important and healthy food source for humans, but only if they are harvested properly. Unfortunately, many of the current ways that fish and shellfish are caught can be destructive to both marine habitats and the marine food chain. The following websites provides a good overview of different ways to catch fish and shellfish, as well as information about raising and farming fish, a process called aquaculture.

Why is sustainable fishing important?

Sustainable fishing is important and helps to maintain a healthy aquatic ecosystem. The term "sustainable fishing" defines fishing practices that do not harm the population of fish being caught or other species of animals living in the same area. Sustainable fishing practices protect the physical environment in which fish live.




Research Links Related to Sustainable Fishing:



 Species Affected by Sustainable
Fishing:
  Harp Seal
Hawaiian Monk Seal
Common Dolphin
Leatherback Turtle
Loggerhead Turtle
Green Sea Turtle
Harbor Porpoise
Gray Seal
Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle

 Activities Related to Sustainable
Fishing:
  Sustainable Seafood
129 KB, pdf
Nice activity from NMS to make students aware of overfishing issues, can be modified for no internet access fee by printing hard copies.


 Other Resources Related to Sustainable
Fishing:
  Eutrophication
5896 KB, mpeg, audio clip
The effects of eutrophication are discussed in this 6 minute presentation
Credit:


Saving Crop Diversity
1434 KB, mpeg, audio clip
The Svalbard Global Seed Vault will store a backup collection of the worlds seeds to save crop diversity.
Credit:


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Space Administration

(NASA Award NCC5433)
NOAA logoNational Oceanic &
Atmospheric Administration

(NOAA Award NA06SEC4690006)

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