Deck 11: The Ocean and Fisheries

Question 1

The three main zones of the marine environment are:

A)intertidal, benthic, pelagic
B)bathyal, abyssal, hadal
C)neritic, oceanic, pelagic
D)intertidal, rocky shore, beach

Answer 1

intertidal, benthic, pelagic

Question 2

The TAO/TRITON array collects oceanic and weather data during normal conditions and El Nino events in the Pacific Ocean.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

A periodic, large scale warming of surface waters in the tropical eastern Pacific Ocean that temporarily alters both ocean and atmospheric circulation patterns is known as __________.

Answer 3

El Nino Southern Oscillation

Question 4

From the figure below interpret the basic pattern of ocean currents and identify the reason why it is so.

A)The main ocean current flows south from the poles toward the equator partly due to the variations in density of seawater.
B)The main ocean current flows clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere partly due to the ocean conveyor belt.
C)The main ocean current flow counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere partly due to gyres.
D)The main ocean current flow clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere partly due to the Coriolis effect.

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT important in determining the distribution of organisms in aquatic biomes?

A)Light penetration
B)Mineral nutrient concentrations
C)Precipitation
D)Salinity

Question 6

Which of the following would NOT be found exclusively in the benthic environment?

A)Seagrass beds
B)Coral reefs
C)Oysters, clams, and barnacles
D)Nekton

Question 7

El Niño and La Niña are similar in that both events:

A)originate in the Atlantic Ocean
B)affect weather patterns
C)are predictable every year
D)cause global cooling

Question 8

The intertidal zone is the ecological region at the lowest level of a body of water such as an ocean or a lake, including the sediment surface and some sub-surface layers

Question 9

Temperatures in parts of Great Britain are significantly warmer than parts of Canada at that same latitude because of what phenomenon?

A)An enhanced greenhouse effect.
B)Because it is an island buffered by ocean water.
C)The ocean conveyor belt
D)ENSO conditions.

Question 10

What is the phenomenon indicated by the blue arrow in the figure below?

A)La Niña
B)Ocean Gyres
C)Trade Winds
D)Upwelling

Question 11

This underwater meadow of kelp grasses is representative of which of the following?

A)Bathyal zone
B)Neritic province
C)Oceanic province
D)Pelagic environment

Question 12

Adaptations found in inhabitants of the rocky intertidal zone include:

A)soft bodies.
B)an anchor or some other means of attachment.
C)streamlining.
D)warning coloration.

Question 13

Which of the following pairs regarding the benthic zone is incorrect?

A)coral reefs - zooxanthellae
B)seagrasses - anemones
C)kelps - large brown algae
D)benthic environment - mud or sand

Question 14

Sea grasses occur in both shallow and deep ocean waters.

Question 15

Which of the following does NOT affect ocean currents?

A)Marine organisms
B)Position of the continents
C)Atmospheric temperatures
D)Prevailing winds

Question 16

El Niño-Southern Oscillation events:

A)are responsible for dramatic increases in the productivity of fisheries off South America.
B)affect coastal areas of Peru around mid-summer each year.
C)occur once or twice every century.
D)alter both ocean and atmospheric circulation patterns.

Question 17

The ___________ is a phenomenon whereby a mass moving in a rotating system experiences a force acting perpendicular to the direction of motion and to the axis of rotation.

Question 18

Gyres are:

A)prevailing winds over the tropical oceans.
B)circular ocean currents that encompass an entire ocean basin.
C)an effect of El Niño on coastal waters.
D)an upwelling of deeper waters.

Question 19

Corals are small soft bodied animals similar to jellyfish and sea anemones.

Question 20

Where are acorn barnacles most likely to be found?

A)Benthic zone
B)Intertidal zone
C)Neritic zone
D)Supratidal zone

Question 21

The photograph below illustrates ___, one of the main problems with modern commercial fishing.

A)aquaculture
B)bycatch
C)invasive species
D)overfishing

Question 22

Which of the following is the BEST description of the euphotic zone?

A)It is part of the pelagic environment that overlies the ocean floor from the shoreline to a depth of 200 meters and is home to plankton and nekton.
B)It is the upper level of the pelagic environment, which extends from the surface to a maximum depth of 150 meters in the clearest open ocean water where sufficient light penetrates to support photosynthesis.
C)It is part of the pelagic environment that overlies the ocean floor at depths greater than 200 meters representing about 75% of the ocean's water with cold temperatures, high pressure, and for the most part an absence of sunlight.
D)It is the area of shoreline between low and high tides that is a biologically productive but stressful environment.

Question 23

Which of the following statements about kelp forests is TRUE?

A)Kelp forests are underwater ecosystems of sea grasses such as manatee grass, eelgrass, and turtle grass.
B)Kelp forests occur in shallow quiet waters in the warm temperate, sub-tropical, and tropical parts of the ocean.
C)Kelps, or brown algae, are food for a few animals but they are mainly consumed in the detritus food chain providing food for sponges, tunicates, worms, clams, and snails.
D)Kelp forests provide habitat for manatees, green turtles, parrot fish, sturgeon fish, and sea urchins.

Question 24

Which of the following statements about coral reefs is FALSE?

A)Coral reefs may occur as barrier, fringing, or atoll formations.
B)Coral reefs protect coastlines from erosion.
C)Coral reefs are found in shallow, nutrient poor, tropical waters.
D)No false statements, all of the above statements apply to coral reefs.

Question 25

Reduced bone and muscle mass and light- producing organs are adaptations most likely to be seen in fish living in the:

A)euphotic zone
B)benthic zone
C)bathyal one
D)Oceanic Province

Question 26

Microscopic algae, also known as _________, produce food by photosynthesis and are the base of food webs in the pelagic environment.

Question 27

Tiny aquatic organisms that drift with ocean currents and waves and form the base of the food chain in the neritic province are called:

A)phytoplankton
B)nekton
C)zooplankton
D)zooxanthellae

Question 28

Which of the following is not a method of catching fish?

A)longlines
B)bycatch
C)trawl bag
D)drift nets

Question 29

Of the many threats to ocean ecosystems, which two are BEST illustrated in the photographs below? A B

A)A = off-shore mineral extraction; B = coastal development
B)A = overfishing; B = habitat destruction
C)A = point source pollution; B = non-point source pollution
D)A = bycatch; B = invasive species

Question 30

Bycatch includes the fishes, marine mammals, sea turtles, seabirds, and other animals caught unintentionally in a commercial fishing catch.

Question 31

Organic debris that drifts down from the upper, lighted regions of the oceanic province, and is the base of food chains for organisms of the deep ocean is called:

A)plankton
B)zooxanthellae
C)kelps
D)marine snow

Question 32

The three areas that have seen the greatest depletion of global fish stocks are the northeastern and northwestern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.

Question 33

The neritic environment is all ocean water, from the shoreline down to the deepest ocean trenches.

Question 34

Organic debris that drifts down into the deep waters of the oceanic province is known as __________.

Question 35

Why do many people consider the open ocean to be an example of a commons?

A)It is because many different populations of fish congregate in the open ocean.
B)It is because no one owns the oceans, the fisheries are international.
C)It is because the open ocean is an excellent region for aquaculture.
D)It is because there is a very high biodiversity in the open ocean.

Question 36

Which of the following is NOT a source of human impact on the marine environment?

A)Coastal development for vacation properties.
B)Fishing practices such as the use of drift nets and purse seines.
C)Off shore extraction of manganese and oil.
D)No exceptions, all of the above are sources of marine pollution.

Question 37

Why are coral reefs limited to shallow water?

A)They require the lower salinity found in shallow waters.
B)There are more nutrients found in shallow water.
C)Their symbiotic zooxanthellae require light to survive.
D)They require coastal upwellings in order to survive.

Question 38

At least 87% of the world's fish stocks are considered over- exploited, fully exploited or depleted. The reason fisheries have experienced such pressure is because:

A)the growing human population requires protein, leading to a greater demand.
B)technological advances allow us to fish so efficiently that every single fish is often removed from an area.
C)given that no nation lays legal claim to the open ocean resources in the ocean are more susceptible to overuse and degradation than land resources.
D)all of the above

Question 39

According to the World Resources Institute, where does the majority (80% or so)of global ocean pollution come from?

A)Offshore mining and drilling activities.
B)Accidental oil spills.
C)Deliberate dumping of litter in the ocean.
D)Human activities on land that runoff into ocean ecosystems.

Question 40

What animals are the main consumers of kelp fronds and sea grass?

A)herbivores like green turtles and flat fish
B)nekton like herring and baleen whales
C)zooplankton like jellyfish and sea urchin larvae
D)bacteria that form the base of the detritus food web

Question 41

Bleaching of stressed corals occur when they expel their zooxanthellae causing the corals to become white in color.

Question 42

The U.N. International Maritime Organization's International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL)regulations specifically address the following types of marine pollution caused by shipping EXCEPT:

A)oil
B)sewage
C)garbage
D)All the above pollutants are regulated by MARPOL

Question 43

Why are marine biologists concerned about the changes shown in the graph?

A)Oscillations in water temperature lead to more severe El Niño events.
B)Warming trends lead to increased coastal development and related habitat loss.
C)Fish need warm water to breed, and many species may exceed their carrying capacities.
D)Increasing water temperatures can lead to coral reef declines.

Question 44

How do cruise ships pose a threat to oceans?

A)They contribute to point source pollution.
B)They lead to increased coastal development.
C)They cause habitat destruction.
D)They contribute to non-point pollution.

Question 45

Which of the following statements does NOT apply to offshore extraction of manganese nodules from the ocean floor?

A)Dredging manganese nodules from the ocean floor would adversely affect sea life.
B)The current market value for manganese wouldn't cover the expense of obtaining them from the seafloor using existing technology.
C)It isn't clear which countries have legal rights to minerals like manganese nodules when they are in international waters.
D)No exceptions, all of the above apply to the extraction of manganese nodules from the seafloor.

Question 46

Why are the coral shown in this photograph white?

A)All of the coral polyps are open and gathering food.
B)These corals have been overgrazed by predators.
C)These corals have lost their zooxanthellae.
D)These corals have contracted a fungal disease.

Question 47

What unique problem is related to photodegradation of plastics?

A)They break down into highly toxic chemicals.
B)Photodegradation of plastics is the cause of coral bleaching
C)Plastics break down, but into tiny bits that persist for an indefinite period.
D)Fish starve when they feed on degraded plastics.

Question 48

How might global warming lead to lower temperatures in Europe?

A)Melting of Greenland ice will cool European waters.
B)The ocean conveyor belt might shut down.
C)Global warming will lead to more El Niño events, and less upwelling.
D)Changing winds will lead to increased clouds and rainfall in Europe.

Question 49

Mariculture is the cultivation of marine organisms for human consumption.

Question 50

The Ocean Dumping Ban Act was passed by Congress mainly to control which of the following activities?

A)Dumping of trash in the oceans.
B)Dumping of sewage and industrial waste into ocean waters.
C)Nonpoint pollution runoff from land into the oceans.
D)Excessive dumping of bycatch by commercial fishing vessels close to the coasts.

Question 51

The Ocean Dumping Ban Act bars the dumping of sewage and industrial waste into the ocean.

Question 52

Which of the following changes to the environment will have the MOST universal effect on coral reefs despite their particular geographic location in the oceans?

A)Increased water temperatures from El Nino effects and/or global climate change.
B)Increased salinity from diversion of freshwater for human use.
C)Increased oxygen concentrations from algal blooms due to nutrient pollution.
D)Increased predation by parrot fish due to overfishing.

Question 53

A major problem the US has in managing its oceans occurs because of which of the following?

A)An array of agencies and committees manages U.S. waters.
B)We do not have good models addressing climate change.
C)There are few laws addressing our oceans.
D)There is little point in trying to manage a global resource.

Question 54

Developing nations produce much more seafood by aquaculture than developed nations because:

A)They have more access to suitable warm water marine ecosystems with coastal upwellings that are best suited to aquaculture.
B)the breeding cycles of the fish are in keeping with the seasons in these regions.
C)the type of fish that can be raised in aquaculture are more suited to their diets.
D)they have abundant cheap labor as aquaculture is labor intensive.

Question 55

Plastic pollution has the potential to cause the following problem(s)for marine organisms:

A)Marine mammals and birds are susceptible to being entangled in and strangled by larger pieces of plastic.
B)Many filter-feeding organisms near the bottom of the ocean food chain constantly ingest the smaller degraded pieces of plastic.
C)The degraded plastic pieces may absorb and transport hazardous chemicals such as PCBs into marine food webs when organisms ingest the plastic.
D)All of the above

Question 56

The difference(s)between fishing and aquaculture is/are:

A)Fish populations in aquaculture operations are more genetically homogenous than wild ones that are caught by fishing fleets.
B)Highly developed nations harvest more fishes from the ocean while developing nations produce much more seafood by aquaculture.
C)The limit on the size of a catch in fishing is the size of the natural population, whereas the limit on aquacultural production is primarily the size of the area in which organisms can be grown.
D)All of the above are differences between fishing and aquaculture

Question 57

What is bycatch?

A)Animals that are unintentionally caught by fishing vessels.
B)Animals that die as a result of oil spills.
C)Animals that captured for use in aquaculture operations.
D)Fish that are caught but die before reaching markets or processing plants.

Question 58

Coral reefs in Australia and the Pacific Ocean are at the greatest risk of damage from human activities.

Question 59

Aquaculture is:

A)fish farming.
B)growing plants without soil.
C)using desalinated water for irrigation.
D)fishing without bycatch.

Question 60

What is likely to be the MOST important global impact of bycatch?

A)Loss of ocean biodiversity.
B)Coral bleaching.
C)Nonpoint source pollution.
D)Habitat destruction.

Question 61

What is the map below representative of?

A)Marine pollution hot-spots.
B)Areas where the largest commercial fishing operations are based.
C)Locations of national marine sanctuaries.
D)Areas that are best suited for aquaculture.

Question 62

Explain the decline in populations of animals shown below. What is believed to be causing it? How is it impacting the ecosystem?

Question 63

What does the white area on this reef indicate? Discuss possible causes for this development and the ecological impact of this process.

Question 64

What is the Coriolis effect? What role, if any, does the Coriolis effect have in determining ocean circulation patterns?

Question 65

What is shown in the satellite image below? Discuss the causes for this and the ecological impact of this process.

Question 66

In 1977 the Magnuson Fishery Conservation Act was passed in the United States regulating marine fisheries.

Question 67

The United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement is the first international treaty regulating freshwater fishing.

Question 68

The ocean is so vast it is hard to visualize human activities could harm it. However, the evidence of human impact is unmistakable. Discuss the nature of marine ecosystem destruction from human activities.

Question 69

Where in the US is the largest protected marine area?

A)New England
B)Florida
C)the Gulf of Mexico
D)Hawaii

Question 70

Compare and contrast fishing and aquaculture. Discuss the benefits and challenges of both approaches. Which approach has a greater impact on the environment? Justify your answer.

Question 71

Compare and contrast the two figures below. Explain in each case what the event is and what causes it to occur. Please include in your discussion: what effects the events have on marine life and why.

Question 72

How do many scientists believe the US can BEST manage our oceans?

A)By ratifying the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),
B)By following an ecosystem based approach to manage ocean environments.
C)By switching from deep-sea fishing to aquaculture to reduce bycatch.
D)By switching to incentive based pollution laws to reduce ocean pollution.

Question 73

Which of the following statements about the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)is FALSE?

A)The formation of UNCLOS was triggered as a result of industrialized countries' interest in removing manganese nodules from the ocean floor in the 1960s.
B)Although the US has not ratified UNCLOS, but voluntarily observes its provisions.
C)UNCLOS is considered a "constitution for the ocean," and its focus is the protection of ocean resources.
D)UNCLOS was the first international treaty to regulate marine fishing by protecting "essential fish habitat" for more than 600 fish species, reducing overfishing, and minimizing bycatch.

Question 74

A 2004 report by the US Commission on Ocean Policy recommended what 3 changes to improve oceans and coasts? Why were these changes recommended?