New
New
Year 9

Sustainable fishing

I can explain different strategies to improve the sustainability of fishing and how the law plays a role in this.

New
New
Year 9

Sustainable fishing

I can explain different strategies to improve the sustainability of fishing and how the law plays a role in this.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Using specialist fishing equipment can reduce bycatch.
  2. Eating fish from well-managed fisheries helps prevent overfishing and protects marine biodiversity.
  3. Exclusive economic zones, quotas and seasonal closures improve fishing sustainability.
  4. Historically there have been many tensions surrounding British fishing, ultimately leading to more sustainable law.

Keywords

  • Sustainable - meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs

  • Bycatch - marine animals (sea creatures) that are unintentionally caught while fishing for a different species

  • Trawler - a type of fishing boat which catches fish by dragging a large net through the water

Common misconception

Customer decisions don’t make a difference to global fish populations.

Eating fish from well-managed fisheries helps prevent overfishing, protects marine biodiversity, and ensures fish populations remain healthy for future generations.


To help you plan your year 9 geography lesson on: Sustainable fishing, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

There have been celebrity chef campaigns on topics such as bycatch, showing students online content related to this or asking students to research it for homework could make the topic more relevant for them.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Match these keywords with their meanings:

Correct Answer:Natural resource,Resources from nature used by people

Resources from nature used by people

Correct Answer:Renewable energy,Energy that can be reused and won’t run out

Energy that can be reused and won’t run out

Correct Answer:Non-renewable energy,Energy sources that will eventually run out

Energy sources that will eventually run out

Correct Answer:Decarbonisation,Reducing carbon dioxide released into the air

Reducing carbon dioxide released into the air

Correct Answer:Sustainable,Able to continue over a long time without damage

Able to continue over a long time without damage

Q2.
What are fossil fuels?

Energy from wind and sun
Correct answer: Natural substances from ancient organisms
Energy that never runs out
Water stored in lakes

Q3.
Why is non-renewable energy called “non-renewable”?

Because it is expensive
Because it is always available
Correct answer: Because it cannot be replaced once used
Because it comes from the sun

Q4.
What does decarbonisation mean?

Correct answer: Reducing carbon dioxide emissions
Burning more fossil fuels
Increasing greenhouse gases
Ignoring climate change

Q5.
Which energy source is renewable?

Coal
Oil
Correct answer: Solar power
Natural gas

Q6.
Why is the phrase “We are sourcing more energy from renewables than fossil fuels” incorrect?

Correct answer: Because fossil fuels still provide over 80% of global energy
Because renewables are not real energy sources
Because renewables are more expensive
Because fossil fuels never run out

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
Match these keywords with their meanings:

Correct Answer:Sustainable,Using resources in a way that protects future needs

Using resources in a way that protects future needs

Correct Answer:Bycatch,Marine animals caught unintentionally while fishing

Marine animals caught unintentionally while fishing

Correct Answer:Trawler,A fishing boat that drags a net through the water

A fishing boat that drags a net through the water

Q2.
What does "sustainable fish consumption" aim to protect?

Cheaper fish prices
Only rare species
Correct answer: Fish populations for the future
Local fish markets

Q3.
Why is the statement “Customer decisions don’t make a difference to global fish populations” incorrect?

Because only governments control fishing
Correct answer: Because customers can demand sustainable options
Because fish are always plentiful
Because ocean health isn’t important

Q4.
Which label might help you choose sustainable fish?

Fairtrade
Organic
GMO-free
Correct answer: MSC (Marine Stewardship Council)