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examBoard: Cambridge
examType: IGCSE
lessonTitle: Species-specific Fishing Methods
Fishing has been practised for thousands of years, but modern fishing techniques have become increasingly specialised to target specific marine species. These methods are designed to maximise catch efficiency while (ideally) minimising environmental impact.
Key Definitions:
Using the right fishing method for specific species helps to:
Fishers choose specific gear based on:
Pelagic species live in the water column, not near the bottom or shore. These include tuna, mackerel and herring.
Used for: Tuna, mackerel, sardines
A large wall of netting is deployed around a school of fish, then the bottom is drawn closed like a purse to trap the fish.
Impact: Can have high bycatch rates, especially when used with fish aggregating devices (FADs).
Used for: Tuna, mackerel
Fish are caught individually using poles with barbless hooks. Water is sprayed to mimic prey and attract fish.
Impact: Low bycatch, considered one of the most sustainable methods for tuna fishing.
Used for: Tuna, swordfish, mahi-mahi
Long fishing lines with baited hooks suspended in the water column.
Impact: Can accidentally catch sea turtles, sharks and seabirds. Modified hooks and deployment techniques can reduce bycatch.
Demersal species live on or near the seabed. These include cod, haddock, plaice and shellfish.
Used for: Cod, haddock, plaice, shrimp
A large net is dragged along the seafloor to catch bottom-dwelling species.
Impact: Can damage seabed habitats and has high bycatch rates. Modified nets with larger mesh sizes and escape panels can reduce impacts.
Used for: Lobster, crab, octopus
Baited cages that allow creatures to enter but make it difficult to escape.
Impact: Low bycatch and minimal habitat damage. Biodegradable escape panels prevent "ghost fishing" if traps are lost.
Used for: Cod, hake, halibut
Similar to pelagic longlines but set on the seabed.
Impact: Less damaging to habitats than trawling but can still catch non-target species.
Shellfish require unique harvesting techniques due to their habitats and biology.
Used for: Scallops, oysters, clams
Metal frames with attached bags are dragged along the seabed to collect shellfish.
Impact: Can significantly disturb seabed habitats. Some modern dredges are designed to reduce seabed contact.
Used for: Mussels, cockles, clams
Shellfish are collected by hand during low tide or by divers.
Impact: Minimal environmental impact when done sustainably, but labour-intensive and limited in scale.
Modern technology has improved the selectivity and sustainability of fishing methods.
Sonar and echosounders help fishers:
Innovations include:
In the North Sea, cod stocks declined dramatically in the 1990s due to overfishing. In response, the EU implemented:
Results: North Sea cod stocks have shown signs of recovery since 2007, demonstrating how species-specific management can work. By 2020, the fishery had regained Marine Stewardship Council certification for sustainability.
Different fishing methods have varying impacts on marine ecosystems.
These methods typically have minimal bycatch and habitat damage.
These methods can be sustainable with proper management.
These methods often cause significant habitat damage and bycatch.
Effective management of species-specific fishing requires a combination of approaches:
The Alaska salmon fishery is considered one of the world's most sustainable fisheries, using species-specific management approaches:
Results: Alaska's salmon populations remain healthy despite commercial harvesting and the fishery has maintained MSC certification since 2000.
As technology advances and our understanding of marine ecosystems improves, species-specific fishing methods continue to evolve:
By continuing to refine species-specific fishing methods, we can work toward a future where fishing provides food security while maintaining healthy marine ecosystems for generations to come.
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