Commercial fishing nets often trap unprofitable animals in the process of catching their target species. In the following activity, students will experience the difficulty that fishermen experience wh...
... moreCommercial fishing nets often trap unprofitable animals in the process of catching their target species. In the following activity, students will experience the difficulty that fishermen experience while trying to isolate a target species when a variety of animals are found in the area of interest. The class will then discuss the large magnitude of this problem. Students will practice their data acquisition and analysis skills, through the collection of data and processing of this information to deduce trends on 'target species' distribution. Students will conclude the activity by discussing how bycatch impacts their lives and whether or not it is an important environmental issue that we need to address. As an extension, students can use their creativity and innovative skills to design nets or other methods, theoretically and/or through hands-on building, that fisherman could use to help avoid bycatch.
...less
