Fishing in Ireland: over-exploitation of a renewable resource Learning Intentions
In this section, you will learn: zzthat fishing is a primary economic activity zzwhy overfishing occurs zzabout the sustainable exploitation of fish.
Ireland’s fishing history
Ireland has many fishing ports. This is mainly because we are located beside the Atlantic Ocean. The shallow waters of the continental shelf create ideal conditions for fish to live and grow. There is also a lot of plankton, the small and microscopic organisms that fish and whales feed on.
Continental shelf: area of seabed around a continent.
Over-exploitation Continental shelf Plankton
Photosynthesis Overfishing
Conservation zone
In recent years, Ireland has become more heavily involved in the fishing industry and fishing plays a very important part in many people’s lives. It is extremely important to a number of villages and towns as a source of income and employment.
