Marine Fisheries management

Oceans Considered the last frontier Wide variety of plant and animal life

Oceans 71 % of Earth’s surface covered by oceans 97 % of the Earth’s water Physical and biological components help formulate management techniques to utilize marine resources

Physical Characteristics Four Major Areas Zonation Salinity Temperature Density Water Movements

Zonation Ocean zones defined by water depth and distance from shore Divided vertically into 3 zones

Zonation Photic zone (sunlit, 660 feet down) Aphotic zone (vast & dark) Benthic zone (ocean floor)

Salinity Concentration of salt with in ocean Salt is carried from land by wind and water Salt content & temperature effects water density Density increases as salinity rises and temperature falls Heavier water sinks – colder & saltier Lighter water remains near surface – warmer & less salty

Temperature Denisty Moves & transports heat from equator to poles Temperature changes occur in different latitudes of ocean and different depths

Water Movements 3 types of water movement Waves Tides Currents

Water Movements Waves can be wind generated, internal, catastrophic, stationary Wind generated – most common, consists of sea, swell and surf Internal – underwater in depths of ocean Catastrophic – caused by storms, earthquakes (tidal wave or tsunami) Stationary – found in bays or calmer water (surface moves up and down)

Water Movement Tides are specialized waves from gravitational attraction of sun and moon Occur at same time High and low tide roughly 6 hours apart

Water Movement Currents flowing of the ocean driven by heating and cooling, gravity, wind and differences in water density

Biological Marine animal life can be divided into 4 major groups Microscopic Marine Animals Marine Fish Marine Shellfish Marine Mammals

Microscopic Marine Animals Most common plankton, particularly zooplankton Plankton staple for many species from tiny fish to whales Zooplankton related to crabs and shrimp

Marine Fish 4 major marine fish economically Salmon Tuna Menhaden Flounder

Marine Fish Less economically important fish species Haddock Herring Cod Mackerel

Marine Shellfish 4 major shellfish Shrimp Oyster Crabs Lobster

Marine Mammals Marine mammals differ form other marine life Warm blooded Lungs for breathing

Marine Mammals 4 main marine mammals Whales Porpoises Walruses Fur seals

Ocean Summary Vast resource Potentially untapped food source Harvest from this source must be economically and ecologically sound