Food Sources - Caught Food
Food Preparation & Nutrition: AQA GCSE, topic 6.1.4
Trawling and Fish Farming
Fish are rich in protein. Overfishing has caused some fish species to reach near extinction. We can either rear or catch fish using these methods:
Trawling
- Trawling involves using a trawler (fishing vessel) to drag a trawl (fishing net) through the water to catch fish.
- The methods of trawling include:
- Bottom trawling - dragging a trawl along the seabed.
- Dragging a trawl through the open water.
- Dredging - dragging a metal basket along the seabed.
Fish farming
- Vast populations of fish are raised in river enclosures or sea cages. Overcrowding is common.
- Set-up and running costs are expensive.
- Fish are prone to disease.
- Pesticides may be used for disease control.
Washing and gutting
- Sometimes, fishermen or fisherwomen will wash and gut fish on-board before bringing them to land.
- To stop fish from spoiling, they are salted or filled with ice (chilled).
Sustainable Fishing
Sustainable fishing doesn't use up non-renewable resources or cause environmental harm.
Concerns about commercial fishing
- Overfishing (catching fish at a faster rate than natural reproduction can occur at) can cause species to become endangered.
- Bottom trawling can damage habitats and sea life on the seabed.
- Other animals can get caught in trawls - such as albatrosses and sharks - which may threaten populations of these animals.
Sustainable fishing methods
- Government fishing quotas - can help to preserve endangered species.
- Quotas restrict the quantity and size of fish that fishermen and women can catch.
- Spearfishing - using a spear gun to catch fish. This method is relatively sustainable as one fish is targeted, so there is little bycatch.
- Regulations for net sizes - holes must be large enough for small and unwanted fish to get out.
Sustainable fishing methods (cont.)
- Longline fishing - the fishing line used holds baited hooks between 2 buoys. This process catches a smaller number of fish and reduces the likelihood of catching undesired species.
Test yourself on Food Sources - Caught Food
Which of the following is NOT a sustainable fishing method?
What do we call it when fish are caught at a faster rate than natural reproduction can occur at?