Aquatic Species, Such as Ocean Fish, Are Particularly Vulnerable to Overharvesting

question 18

Multiple Choice

Aquatic species, such as ocean fish, are particularly vulnerable to overharvesting due to a concept called "tragedy of the commons." When everyone harvests a shared (common) resource, each person tends to harvest as much as possible, because no one owns the resource and there is no motivation to be restrained.This is a particular problem now, with the growing human population and constantly improving technology that makes harvesting fast and efficient.In this situation, which type of fish species would likely be most vulnerable to extinction?

• A) A species with a fast swimming speed
• B) A small, rapidly reproducing species
• C) A small species in a protected environment
• D) A large species with slow reproduction
• E) A large species that is a poor food source

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Definitions:

Average Costs

Costs per unit of output, calculated by dividing the total cost of production by the number of units produced.

Profit-maximizing

The process or strategy of adjusting production and sales to achieve the highest possible profit margin.

Long-run Equilibrium

A state in economics where all factors of production and market forces are balanced, and there are no external pressures inducing change.

Output

Output refers to the total amount of goods and services produced by a company, industry, or economy within a specific period.