Illegal Fishing Lesson 3 (Primary)
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Lesson duration is: 45 minIntroduction
Overfishing is emptying the ocean, with 90% of fisheries already overfished. Illegal fishing is increasing this. In this lesson we will look at some of the fishing practices being used and the impacts on the ocean and marine wildlife, and some methods used to stop by-catch.
Instructions
During this lesson we will further explore IUU fishing activity, by looking at some of the fishing methods being used and discuss their impacts.
Time: 45 minutes
Contact: education@seashepherdglobal.org
© Sea Shepherd 2021
Time: 45 minutes
Contact: education@seashepherdglobal.org
© Sea Shepherd 2021
Instructions
Worksheets
Items in this lesson
Slide 1 - Slide
This lesson is provided by Sea Shepherd. Sea Shepherd was founded in 1977 and is a marine conservation organisation working to protect the oceans and marine wildlife. Sea Shepherd works globally on a range of issues impacting the oceans, running numerous direct action campaigns each year. IUU is one area Sea Shepherd is working on to help stop illegal fishing and reduce by-catch.
Slide 2 - Slide
During the lesson we will use these icons to identify the learning actions.
Slide 3 - Slide
During this lesson we will further explore IUU fishing activity, by looking at some of the fishing methods being used and discuss their impacts.
Slide 4 - Slide
Overfishing
This slide shows an emptying ocean. Explain to students that scientists estimate that by 2050 the ocean ecosystem will be on the verge of collapse, empty of fish and marine wildlife, unless urgent action is taken on the issues impacting on the oceans and marine wildlife.
INTERACTIVE JOIN – ask students to go to www.LessonUp.app
This slide shows an emptying ocean. Explain to students that scientists estimate that by 2050 the ocean ecosystem will be on the verge of collapse, empty of fish and marine wildlife, unless urgent action is taken on the issues impacting on the oceans and marine wildlife.
INTERACTIVE JOIN – ask students to go to www.LessonUp.app
Slide 5 - Slide
Previous lesson summary
During the previous lesson we talked about some of the practices being used to protect the ocean and ways that law enforcement are detecting illegal fishing activity.
Now we are going to look at some of the implications of how fishing is taking place, both by legal and illegal fishing operations that are contributing to overfishing.
During the previous lesson we talked about some of the practices being used to protect the ocean and ways that law enforcement are detecting illegal fishing activity.
Now we are going to look at some of the implications of how fishing is taking place, both by legal and illegal fishing operations that are contributing to overfishing.
Slide 6 - Slide
By-catch
It is estimated that around 26% of the global fishing catch is by-catch. By-catch is basically anything that is caught in fishing nets or on lines that the fishermen don’t want or are not allowed to legally sell.
Generally they remove the by-catch from the nets and return it to the ocean. However many of these animals will have already died before they are freed. By-catch could be other species of fish, turtles, dolphins, sharks or even whales.
It is estimated that around 26% of the global fishing catch is by-catch. By-catch is basically anything that is caught in fishing nets or on lines that the fishermen don’t want or are not allowed to legally sell.
Generally they remove the by-catch from the nets and return it to the ocean. However many of these animals will have already died before they are freed. By-catch could be other species of fish, turtles, dolphins, sharks or even whales.
Slide 7 - Slide
Why does by-catch occur?
The nets used for commercial fishing are so large that they capture everything in their wake and are down for long periods of time. So while the fishermen may be targeting large schools of a particular fish species they will catch everything else in the area at that time. It is simply a by-product of bigger catches, which means more money in less time.
The nets used for commercial fishing are so large that they capture everything in their wake and are down for long periods of time. So while the fishermen may be targeting large schools of a particular fish species they will catch everything else in the area at that time. It is simply a by-product of bigger catches, which means more money in less time.
Slide 8 - Slide
Toll on marine wildlife
Commercial fishing operations for example are responsible for killing some 300,000 dolphins and whales as by-catch each year and 250,000+ loggerhead and leatherback turtles.
Commercial fishing operations for example are responsible for killing some 300,000 dolphins and whales as by-catch each year and 250,000+ loggerhead and leatherback turtles.
Slide 9 - Slide
Purse Seine Fishing
The purse seine tuna fishing industry has for many years had an issue with high by-catch levels. For example yellowfin tuna will school with adult skipjack, meaning both will be caught in their nets. The survival of the tuna relies on fishermen processing and removing the unwanted tuna species from the nets. From the earlier lesson we discussed the issue of unreported fishing catches. By-catch is one area that is often underreported.
The purse seine tuna fishing industry has for many years had an issue with high by-catch levels. For example yellowfin tuna will school with adult skipjack, meaning both will be caught in their nets. The survival of the tuna relies on fishermen processing and removing the unwanted tuna species from the nets. From the earlier lesson we discussed the issue of unreported fishing catches. By-catch is one area that is often underreported.
Slide 10 - Video
Intentional by-catch
One practice that the commercial fishing industry has been caught doing is intentionally trapping whales or whale sharks, knowing that other fish are feeding along side them.
Gabon is one country that outlaws this practice.
Show the video (3.00mins) from Sea Shepherd’s Operation Albacore which shows some examples of the marine wildlife in Gabon and the issue of by-catch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnm-T0GiuSY&list=PLx1pnhQVtbbBnH1BBXzQtknEROG73UNO9&index=3
One practice that the commercial fishing industry has been caught doing is intentionally trapping whales or whale sharks, knowing that other fish are feeding along side them.
Gabon is one country that outlaws this practice.
Show the video (3.00mins) from Sea Shepherd’s Operation Albacore which shows some examples of the marine wildlife in Gabon and the issue of by-catch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnm-T0GiuSY&list=PLx1pnhQVtbbBnH1BBXzQtknEROG73UNO9&index=3
Slide 11 - Slide
Protecting marine wildlife
To help tackle the issue of by-catch a number of practices have been developed and if properly used can help save the lives of marine wildlife. These include:
Monitoring catch and releasing
Many countries require fishing operators to have crew that specifically spot for whales, dolphins, turtles and remove them from nets before they die.
Turtle Excluder Device (TED)
TED’s are grates attached to the mouths of shrimp trawl nets that keep sea turtles and other marine wildlife out of the nets. It is a requirement for some industries that these must be fitted.
Fishing practices to deter marine birds
Many sea birds have been impacted by the growth of the long-liner fishing industry, where lines with hundreds of hooks are put out from the backs of fishing vessels. The birds are snared as they chase the baited hooks. With hundreds of sea birds dying action was required.
The Agreement on Conservation of Albatross and Petrels (ACAP) was established to coordinate international activity to reduce the threats to the populations of species at risk, such as albatrosses and petrels.
The Agreement has been signed by 13 countries, and covers 31 species of marine birds.
ACAP aims to reduce the impacts of fishing on seabirds and changing fishing practices. This has included:
• Reducing the time the baited hooks are available to birds to target before they sink into the water,
• Using methods to deter birds coming close, such as streamers, and
• Setting lines at night time, when birds are not around.
While this has reduced the threat to sea birds it does not eliminate the risk completely.
To help tackle the issue of by-catch a number of practices have been developed and if properly used can help save the lives of marine wildlife. These include:
Monitoring catch and releasing
Many countries require fishing operators to have crew that specifically spot for whales, dolphins, turtles and remove them from nets before they die.
Turtle Excluder Device (TED)
TED’s are grates attached to the mouths of shrimp trawl nets that keep sea turtles and other marine wildlife out of the nets. It is a requirement for some industries that these must be fitted.
Fishing practices to deter marine birds
Many sea birds have been impacted by the growth of the long-liner fishing industry, where lines with hundreds of hooks are put out from the backs of fishing vessels. The birds are snared as they chase the baited hooks. With hundreds of sea birds dying action was required.
The Agreement on Conservation of Albatross and Petrels (ACAP) was established to coordinate international activity to reduce the threats to the populations of species at risk, such as albatrosses and petrels.
The Agreement has been signed by 13 countries, and covers 31 species of marine birds.
ACAP aims to reduce the impacts of fishing on seabirds and changing fishing practices. This has included:
• Reducing the time the baited hooks are available to birds to target before they sink into the water,
• Using methods to deter birds coming close, such as streamers, and
• Setting lines at night time, when birds are not around.
While this has reduced the threat to sea birds it does not eliminate the risk completely.
Slide 12 - Slide
Scale of industrial fishing
The increasing demand for fish and a desire to make it cost effective saw the development of large scale industrial fishing vessels during the mid 1900’s. The vessels and nets were developed to dramatically increase the size of the fishing catch.
The increasing demand for fish and a desire to make it cost effective saw the development of large scale industrial fishing vessels during the mid 1900’s. The vessels and nets were developed to dramatically increase the size of the fishing catch.
Slide 13 - Slide
Size of nets
This resulted in large increases in the size of the nets being used and changes to the size of the mesh in the nets. Over the years the mesh size has decreased allowing smaller sized fish to be caught. Fish that could once swim through a net, like younger fish, are now being caught in the massive nets.
This resulted in large increases in the size of the nets being used and changes to the size of the mesh in the nets. Over the years the mesh size has decreased allowing smaller sized fish to be caught. Fish that could once swim through a net, like younger fish, are now being caught in the massive nets.
Why do you think
the catch is less, despite
the fleet doubling in size?
the catch is less, despite
the fleet doubling in size?
Slide 14 - Mind map
Since 1950’s the commercial fishing fleet has doubled, but is catching less.
Ask students answer via www.LessonUp.app or discuss in classroom:
“Why do you think the catch is less, despite fishing fleets doubling in size?”
Ask students answer via www.LessonUp.app or discuss in classroom:
“Why do you think the catch is less, despite fishing fleets doubling in size?”
Slide 15 - Slide
Types of fishing - Driftnets
There are numerous types of fishing styles and gear that are used to catch different species.
Driftnet refers to the setting of nets along the top of the ocean. A driftnet is not anchored to the ocean floor, instead it hangs vertically in the water attached to ropes along the ocean surface with buoys and weights along the bottom. These nets are used to target pelagic fish, which simply means fish that are not in coastal waters, reefs or on the sea-bed. They live in open ocean and can be several kilometres under the surface.
Illegal poachers are often caught using illegal driftnets. In December 1991 the United Nations General Assembly approved a resolution banning the use of driftnets longer than 2.5kms in international waters, commencing from 1993. Yet over 25 years after the resolution poachers are still using driftnets. These types of nets are very destructive as they trap everything in their path.
The Sea Shepherd Case Study – Operation Driftnet provides further information on this type of fishing.
There are numerous types of fishing styles and gear that are used to catch different species.
Driftnet refers to the setting of nets along the top of the ocean. A driftnet is not anchored to the ocean floor, instead it hangs vertically in the water attached to ropes along the ocean surface with buoys and weights along the bottom. These nets are used to target pelagic fish, which simply means fish that are not in coastal waters, reefs or on the sea-bed. They live in open ocean and can be several kilometres under the surface.
Illegal poachers are often caught using illegal driftnets. In December 1991 the United Nations General Assembly approved a resolution banning the use of driftnets longer than 2.5kms in international waters, commencing from 1993. Yet over 25 years after the resolution poachers are still using driftnets. These types of nets are very destructive as they trap everything in their path.
The Sea Shepherd Case Study – Operation Driftnet provides further information on this type of fishing.
Slide 16 - Slide
Types of fishing - Gillnets
Gillnets are walls of netting set in a straight line that are very effective at trapping fish. Using floats on the surface the length of the lines can be adjusted to set the nets at varying depths. They are usually set several kilometres below the surface and can be many kilometres long. They are used for deep living fish like toothfish. Laws on gillnets vary between countries.
The Sea Shepherd Case Study – Operation Icefish provides further information on this type of fishing.
Gillnets are walls of netting set in a straight line that are very effective at trapping fish. Using floats on the surface the length of the lines can be adjusted to set the nets at varying depths. They are usually set several kilometres below the surface and can be many kilometres long. They are used for deep living fish like toothfish. Laws on gillnets vary between countries.
The Sea Shepherd Case Study – Operation Icefish provides further information on this type of fishing.
Slide 17 - Slide
Types of fishing – Long line fishing
Long lines are fishing lines that can run for up to 100 km with thousands of baited barbed hooks. They will catch everything that tries to go for the bait or any fish caught on the hooks, this includes sharks, seals or turtles.
These lines are also dangerous to sea birds, who will try to dive and take the bait from the hooks or the fish caught on them. There are two types of long lines, both consist of a main fishing line from which shorter lines containing hooks:
➢ Pelagic long line uses normal fishing line for the main line.
➢ Cable long line uses a heavy wire line for the main line.
Long lines are fishing lines that can run for up to 100 km with thousands of baited barbed hooks. They will catch everything that tries to go for the bait or any fish caught on the hooks, this includes sharks, seals or turtles.
These lines are also dangerous to sea birds, who will try to dive and take the bait from the hooks or the fish caught on them. There are two types of long lines, both consist of a main fishing line from which shorter lines containing hooks:
➢ Pelagic long line uses normal fishing line for the main line.
➢ Cable long line uses a heavy wire line for the main line.
Slide 18 - Slide
Types of fishing - Trawling
There are two main types of trawling, the main one being bottom trawling.
Bottom trawling - This means the fishermen are dragging the nets along the seafloor scraping up everything in their path. This method brings up with them all life and the habitat, this includes corals and sponges along with the fish, jellyfish, starfish and anything else in their path. Any fish of reasonable size is sold separately the rest is called ‘trash fish’ and is sent to be turned into fishmeal which can be used for food in fish farms, like prawn farms. Bottom trawling is very destructive, wiping out habitat and ecosystem all in one go.
There are two main types of trawling, the main one being bottom trawling.
Bottom trawling - This means the fishermen are dragging the nets along the seafloor scraping up everything in their path. This method brings up with them all life and the habitat, this includes corals and sponges along with the fish, jellyfish, starfish and anything else in their path. Any fish of reasonable size is sold separately the rest is called ‘trash fish’ and is sent to be turned into fishmeal which can be used for food in fish farms, like prawn farms. Bottom trawling is very destructive, wiping out habitat and ecosystem all in one go.
Slide 19 - Slide
Types of fishing – Blast fishing
This is where the poachers use explosives (dynamite) to bomb around reefs to stun the fish and then they dive to collect the fish. Using this method also destroys the reef itself by killing corals. This method is illegal, but has been used in places like Tanzania and Indonesia.
This is where the poachers use explosives (dynamite) to bomb around reefs to stun the fish and then they dive to collect the fish. Using this method also destroys the reef itself by killing corals. This method is illegal, but has been used in places like Tanzania and Indonesia.
Slide 20 - Slide
Types of fishing - Poisoning
Sodium cyanide or bleach is used to kill or stun the fish, mainly by individual poachers who dive on reef systems. This highly toxic chemical is mixed up in a bottle, which is then used to squirt the chemical in the area of a reef that the poachers intend to stun the fish. The chemical coats the reef and any other fish near by. Too high a dose and it will kill the fish. This method is mainly used around tropical coral reefs to stun and capture tropical fish for aquariums.
Sodium cyanide or bleach is used to kill or stun the fish, mainly by individual poachers who dive on reef systems. This highly toxic chemical is mixed up in a bottle, which is then used to squirt the chemical in the area of a reef that the poachers intend to stun the fish. The chemical coats the reef and any other fish near by. Too high a dose and it will kill the fish. This method is mainly used around tropical coral reefs to stun and capture tropical fish for aquariums.
Slide 21 - Slide
Types of fishing – Fish Aggregating Devices (FAD)
These devices are designed to lure fish into an area to make it easier to find and catch fish. The device can attract multiple species of pelagic fish.
Small fish use the floating debris to hide from larger fish in the open ocean. Larger fish are also attracted and visit the debris in search of an easy meal.
There is no regulatory system in place to monitor the deployment and tracking of these devices. These are used widely in the tuna fishing industry. They usually consist of a buoy or floats attached to the device, which is tethered to the ocean floor to keep it in one location.
These devices are designed to lure fish into an area to make it easier to find and catch fish. The device can attract multiple species of pelagic fish.
Small fish use the floating debris to hide from larger fish in the open ocean. Larger fish are also attracted and visit the debris in search of an easy meal.
There is no regulatory system in place to monitor the deployment and tracking of these devices. These are used widely in the tuna fishing industry. They usually consist of a buoy or floats attached to the device, which is tethered to the ocean floor to keep it in one location.
Slide 22 - Slide
Abandoned, lost and discarded fishing gear
Abandoned, lost and dumped fishing nets, both from legal and illegal fishing vessels, can become ghost nets. Floating walls of death that have a huge impact on marine wildlife.
Abandoned, lost and dumped fishing nets, both from legal and illegal fishing vessels, can become ghost nets. Floating walls of death that have a huge impact on marine wildlife.
Slide 23 - Slide
Plastic ghost nets
Ghost nets are made from plastics, which can float in the oceans for many years trapping any marine wildlife that come in contact with them. Some nets are made from materials that make them hard to detect underwater, which is why they are effective fishing tools, but as ghost nets they just become death traps for anything and everything.
For more information on this topic see the lesson Abandoned, Lost and Dumped Fishing Gear.
Ghost nets are made from plastics, which can float in the oceans for many years trapping any marine wildlife that come in contact with them. Some nets are made from materials that make them hard to detect underwater, which is why they are effective fishing tools, but as ghost nets they just become death traps for anything and everything.
For more information on this topic see the lesson Abandoned, Lost and Dumped Fishing Gear.
What were 3 fishing methods that
cause damage to reef systems?
Slide 24 - Open question
Ask students to answer via www.LessonUp.app or discuss in classroom.
“What were 3 fishing methods that cause damage to reef systems?”
“What were 3 fishing methods that cause damage to reef systems?”
Name three ways that by-catch can be reduced?
Slide 25 - Open question
Ask students to answer via www.LessonUp.app or discuss in classroom.
“Name 3 ways that by-catch can be reduced?”
“Name 3 ways that by-catch can be reduced?”
Slide 26 - Slide
How can you help protect marine wildlife?
We have discussed this in previous lessons, but having studied the three lessons ask students to list ways they can help tackle the issues of overfishing, IUU activity and by-catch.
We have discussed this in previous lessons, but having studied the three lessons ask students to list ways they can help tackle the issues of overfishing, IUU activity and by-catch.
Slide 27 - Slide
How can protect marine wildlife?
Some ideas might be:
• Help reduce demand for fish, which will reduce overfishing.
• Stop using fish products – shark fins, krill, pet foods.
• Train to dive and help remove ghost nets.
Some ideas might be:
• Help reduce demand for fish, which will reduce overfishing.
• Stop using fish products – shark fins, krill, pet foods.
• Train to dive and help remove ghost nets.
Write down three things you have learned?
Slide 28 - Open question
What did you learn?
Ask students to answer the following question using www.LessonUp.app or discuss in the classroom.
“Write down three things you have learned?”
Ask students to answer the following question using www.LessonUp.app or discuss in the classroom.
“Write down three things you have learned?”
Write down one thing you didn't understand?
Slide 29 - Open question
What don’t you understand?
Ask students to answer the following question using www.LessonUp.app or discuss in the classroom.
“Write down one thing you didn’t understand?”
Ask students to answer the following question using www.LessonUp.app or discuss in the classroom.
“Write down one thing you didn’t understand?”
Slide 30 - Slide
Summary of key facts
90% of the global fisheries have been overfished.
30% of global commercial fishing catch is taken illegally.
26% of catch is by-catch.
By 2050 the ocean ecosystem will collapse if we don’t stop overfishing.
Everyone can help make this happen by reducing the demand for fish and more wisely using the fish that is caught.
90% of the global fisheries have been overfished.
30% of global commercial fishing catch is taken illegally.
26% of catch is by-catch.
By 2050 the ocean ecosystem will collapse if we don’t stop overfishing.
Everyone can help make this happen by reducing the demand for fish and more wisely using the fish that is caught.
Slide 31 - Slide
Case Studies
Sea Shepherd Case Studies cover a number of Sea Shepherd campaigns and show video of some of our work to stop IUU fishing activity, working with law enforcement officials around the world. These can be used to enhance the learning experience from these lessons.
Sea Shepherd Case Studies cover a number of Sea Shepherd campaigns and show video of some of our work to stop IUU fishing activity, working with law enforcement officials around the world. These can be used to enhance the learning experience from these lessons.
Slide 32 - Slide
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