Conserving biodiversity within fishing To stop overfishing and to safeguard fish numbers, fish quotas are used by the EU. Each country is allowed to catch a fixed amount of certain fish species per year. Fish quotas are used for species such as herring and mackerel. Each year the EU ministers for agriculture meet and negotiate the fish quotas for the following year using information collected by scientists on fish stocks in EU waters. Irish fishermen are fishing more sustainably by using equipment that allows young fish to escape from fishing nets.
17.3 Other approaches to conserving biodiversity
It is our responsibility to conserve biodiversity on Earth. In addition to the measures outlined for land management, agriculture, hunting and fishing, there are many projects that aim to conserve and enhance biodiversity. Two examples are outlined below.
Activity Wildlife bridges and tunnels
Fig. 17 The Redearth Creek wildlife overpass on the Trans-Canada Highway in Alberta, Canada.
Figs. 17, 18 and 19 show approaches that are being used to safeguard wildlife. These benefit both humans and wild animals. 1. List the benefits for animals and humans of bridges and tunnels of the type shown in the images above.
2. Why do you think that fencing is used along the road near underpasses and overpasses?
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Fig. 19 An artificial otter holt (where an otter lives) being built at the Clare River, Mulkear, Co. Tipperary.
Fig. 18 Elephants use a highway underpass near Mount Kenya in central Kenya.
