Over Harvesting

Activity #1- Overfishing

Overfishing is a classic example of over harvesting.

Read the article about overfishing in oceans today.

Answer the Questions after reading.

1. 1. What is overfishing and why is it so disruptive in today’s oceans?
   

2. 2.What factors have contributed to overfishing in the oceans?
   

3. 3.Which fish species worldwide have been most seriously overfished?
   

4. 4. What are people who once fished these species now doing?
   

5. 5.What is the outlook? Is there any hope?
   

6. 6.Click on the Impact of Seafood link underneath the article.  Find THREE fish you or your family eat that are GOOD choices for seafood and THREE fish that should be avoided.  Explain briefly why each is on the list.
   

Activity #2 Go Fish- Do the fishing activity with teammates in class.  Afterwards, answer the questions individually.

Debrief questions

1. 1. Explain the rationale for your choices during the fishing game.  What did you do and why?
   

2. 2.Is it possible to maximize the number of fish caught per person AND the number of fish remaining in the lake? Explain.
   

3. 3.Think of a local common area you are familiar with (i.e. parking lot, pubic bathrooms, parks, cafeteria, hallways, etc.). Do similar situations arise? Explain.
   

4. 4.What are some natural resources that are “common?”
   

5. 5.What are the global commons?
   

6. 6.What can societies do to address the degradation of common areas?