When Ocean Fisheries Began, the Most Sought-After Species Were Top

question 187

Multiple Choice

When ocean fisheries began, the most sought-after species were top predators such as bluefin tuna, orange roughy, and Chilean sea bass.These fisheries have now collapsed, and fishermen have responded by "fishing down the food chain," that is, taking smaller species from lower levels.If the trend of overharvesting continues at these lower trophic levels, what will the likely effect on ocean food webs be?

• A) There will be little effect, because lower levels of the food web are less important.
• B) As lower levels are depleted, the top predators will be able to recover.
• C) As lower levels are depleted, species from elsewhere in the ocean will replace them.
• D) Fishermen will look for other species to exploit before the food web is affected.
• E) The lower levels will also collapse, drastically changing food webs.

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Definitions:

Total Cost Curve

A graphical representation of the total cost of production, which shows how total cost changes as the quantity of output changes.

Typical Firm

A representative entity in an industry or market that reflects the common attributes of businesses within that context.

Short Run

A period in economics where at least one input is fixed, meaning that firms can adjust production levels but not capacity.

Long-Run Average-Total-Cost Curve

A curve that shows the lowest cost at which a firm is able to produce a given level of output in the long run, when all inputs can be varied.