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Outline threats to Antarctica from fishing and whaling. - AQA - A-Level Geography - Question 1 - 2022 - Paper 2
Question 1
Outline threats to Antarctica from fishing and whaling.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Outline threats to Antarctica from fishing and whaling. - AQA - A-Level Geography - Question 1 - 2022 - Paper 2
Step 1
Threats from Fishing
Answer
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Impact on Marine Life: The Antarctic waters are home to a diverse range of marine species. Overfishing, particularly of krill, disrupts the food chain, leading to food shortages for predators such as seals and penguins.
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Ecosystem Balance: The removal of large quantities of fish can throw the entire ecosystem out of balance, which risks long-term damage to the marine environment.
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Illegal Fishing: There are instances of illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing activities in the Southern Ocean, which contribute to overexploitation and hinder conservation efforts.
Step 2
Threats from Whaling
Answer
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Decline in Whale Populations: Although whaling has been banned by many countries, some nations still engage in it under the guise of scientific research, leading to the decline of certain whale populations.
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Disturbance to Marine Ecosystems: Whales play a crucial role in maintaining the health of marine ecosystems. Their decline can have cascading effects on the marine environment and biodiversity.
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International Controversy: The ongoing debate and conflicts over whaling practices may undermine international cooperation on conservation measures in the Antarctic region.