All Caught Up: Acting Out Bycatching Points of View
Students learn the issues surrounding bycatchCopyright 2004 Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399 USA. All rights reserved. http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/images/results.aspx?qu=fishing+net&ex=1#ai:MP900387435|mt:2|
Commercial fishing nets often trap "unprofitable" animals in the process of catching target species. In this activity, students experience the difficulty that fishermen experience while trying to isolate a target species when a variety of sea animals are found in the area of interest. Then the class discusses the large magnitude of this problem. Students practice data acquisition and analysis skills by collecting data and processing it to deduce trends on target species distribution. They conclude by discussing how bycatch impacts their lives and whether or not it is an important environmental issue that needs attention. At the end, students use their creativity and innovative skills to design nets or other methods, theoretically and/or through hands-on prototyping, that fisherman could use to help avoid bycatch.
Students imagine and design technological solutions for addressing the problem of bycatch by making design changes to the nets they use in the activity.
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Explain the basics of bycatching and what species are most affected by it.
- Question the importance of environmental activism with regard to bycatching, relating it to their daily lives.