Overfishing, the MSC and sustainable fishing

An estimated 97 per cent of the world’s water is found in the ocean. The ocean impacts on weather, temperature, and the supply of food for humans and other organisms. In Aotearoa New Zealand we are intricately connected with the ocean through whakaapa, fishing and the very fact that most of us live near the sea! 

Focus Questions:

Why is the sea important for me? How am I connected with the sea?

What new words and concepts have we learnt?

Learning outcomes:

Describe the importance (to me) of the sea and sea creatures 

Use scientific and fisheries related vocabulary

Materials:

Seas Importance Teacher Outline

IMPORTANCE OF THE SEA SLIDE SET

Importance of the Sea Ocean Connections Cards

White board and Blue tack (Ocean Connections)

Internet access (for Whaitere reading & Kahoot quiz)

Something to write with

Activities include:

DISCUSS whakapapa and our connectedness to the sea 

SHARE my connections with the sea 

EXPLORE the importance of the sea 

READ about the importance of the ocean

CATEGORISE sea creatures and kai moana

IDENTIFY sea creatures by Māori and English name

GRAPH favoured kai moana

READ about kaitiaki Whaitere (the enchanted stingray)

EXPLORE kaitiakitanga in relation to the sea 

TAKE the Kahoot quiz

An estimated 97 per cent of the world’s water is found in the ocean. The ocean impacts on weather, temperature, and the supply of food for humans and other organisms. In Aotearoa New Zealand we are intricately connected with the ocean through whakaapa, fishing, and the very fact that most of us live near the sea!

Focus questions:

What is overfishing? What are the impacts of overfishing?

What new words and concepts have we learnt?

Materials:

OVERFISHING SLIDE SET

Overfishing TEACHER OUTLINE

Something to write with

Warm up Overfishing Cards (see Teacher Outline)

Prior Knowledge Overfishing Chart (see Teacher Outline)

Access to internet (for film clip)

Activities include:

DISCUSS the impacts of overfishing

COMPARE an overfished v sustainably fished ocean

BRAINSTORM prior knowledge

WATCH the short film clip ‘Glad to Sea You’re on Board’ [2:33]

MAKE a short film or animation

WRITE about key concepts

CREATE a diagram illustrating effects of overfishing

The Marine Stewardship Council sets the standard to assess if fisheries are sustainable.  When a fishery has been found to be sustainable then fish from that fishery can be sold with the Marine Stewardship Council blue fish tick label.  

Focus Questions:

Who are the Marine Stewardship Council and what do they promote?

What does the Marine Stewardship Council’s blue fish tick label mean?

What new words and concepts have we learnt?

Learning Outcomes:

Describe who the Marine Stewardship Council are, and what they promote

Explain the meaning of the Marine Stewardship Council’s blue fish tick label

Use scientific and fisheries related vocabulary

Materials:

BLUE FISH TICK SLIDE SET

Blue Fish Tick TEACHER OUTLINE

Something to write with

Copies of Oceans at risk fact sheet

Access to the internet (film clips)

Supermarket survey sheet & clipboard (for field trip / homework activity)

Activities include:

INVESTIGATE the Marine Stewardship Council & blue fish tick label

WATCH a film [0:48] about the Blue fish tick label

WATCH a film clip [1:30] about the Marine Stewardship Council and sustainable fishing

READ and ANSWER questions using Oceans at Risk worksheet

TAKE the Kahoot quiz

VISIT a supermarket and conduct the supermarket survey

SURVEY GRAPH survey data

Sustainable fishing means leaving enough fish in the ocean so that fish stocks remain healthy, looking after places where fish live (habitats), and ensuring people who fish can keep fishing.

Focus Questions:

What is ‘sustainable fishing’?

What new words and concepts have we learnt?

Learning Outcomes:

Explain ‘sustainable fishing’ and how it impacts on people and environments

Use scientific and fisheries related vocabulary

Materials: 

SUSTAINABLE FISHING SLIDE SET

Sustaianable Fishing TEACHER OUTLINE

Something to write with

Copies of Unsustainable fishing practice cards

Scissors

Access to internet

Activities include:

DISCUSS meaning of sustainable fishing

WATCH the film My Dad the Fisherman [14:46]

EXPLORE more deeply some unsustainable fishing practices

WATCH the short film about bycatch [1:00]

INVESTIGATE what is and sustainable fishing using the Unsustainable fishing cards

INVESTIGATE how the Marine Stewardship Council deals with unsustainable practices 

EXPLORE what sustainable fishing looks like in Aotearoa NZ 

CONSIDER what I do to look after the sea

INVESTIGATE the three principles used by the Marine Stewardship Council to determine sustainable fishing

Review learning about overfishing, the Marine Stewardship Council, and sustainable fishing.

Focus Questions:

What new words and concepts have we learnt?

Learning Outcomes:

Use scientific and fisheries related vocabulary

Materials:

Sustainable Fishing Review of Key Concepts Slide Set

Sustainable Fishing Teacher Outline

Something to write with

Kahoot quiz

Access to internet

Activities include:

TAKE the summary Kahoot quiz 

REVIEW key concepts using the Key Term Worksheet 

CREATE a sustainable fishing animation