Why major fishing grounds of the world are found in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere:
- Most of the coastlines are irregular hence favoring fish breeding.
- There are large/more landmasses in the Northern Hemisphere than the south.
- Continental shelves in this region are wide and shallow that favour the growth of planktons.
- The cool climate experienced in the region favours fishing activities.
- The regions are washed by many cold oceans currents that favour the existence of planktons/ fish.
- There are many rivers that pour their water in the oceans thus providing nutrients for planktons
Pacific Fishing Grounds
This is further divided into
North West Pacific Fishing Ground
This is the largest fishing ground in the world.
It is located off the coast of North-East Asia extending from Barring Sea through the Sea of Okhotsk, the Sea of Japan, the Yellow Sea up to the East China Sea through the following countries; Japan,China, Malaysia, Indonesia, North & South Korea and Eastern Coasts of Russia
The major fish species caught in these grounds are salmon, tuna, bonito, mackerel,sardine, cod, Pollack.
Fishing is highly developed along this ground because of the following reasons:-
- Broad, shallow and extensive continental shelf that favours the growth of planktons
- Convergence of the cold Oyasiwo and warm Kurosiwo currents that makes the coast ice free allowing fishing all year round (warm Kurosiwo), provides ideal conditions for plankton growth (cold Oyasiwo)
- Dense population in the Asian countries that lie astride the fishing ground e.g. Japan and China provide labour and ready market for the fish.
- Indented North East Asian coastline with numerous islands, bays and sheltered inlets that favour fish breeding and development of fishing ports.
- Advanced technology especially in Japan has encouraged the development of fishing and facilitated transport of fish e.g. through ship building and refrigeration of ships.
- Limited agricultural potential especially in Japan and Eastern Russia with rugged landscape that discourages agricultural development; leaving fishing as alternative source of food.
North East Pacific Fishing Ground
This is located along the western shores of North America, stretching about 1200km from the Alaskan coast (USA) southwards through British Columbia (Canada) to the Californian Coast (USA) through Washington DC and Oregon states.
Fishing is also done along the major rivers in this region (mention some)
The main fish species caught in this ground are salmon, tuna, sardines, herring, Pollack, and Alaska.
Others include crabs, shrimps, oysters, and prawns
Factors favouring fishing in this ground include:
- Indented coastlines with many fiords, rias and river estuaries that offer good sites for fish breeding and development of fish ports.
- Cool waters as a result of high latitudinal location that favour plankton growth.
- Convergence of the cold Californian and the warm Labrador currents along the segrounds lead to cool temperatures that favour plankton growth
- These grounds are free from ice all year round since the cold temperatures are moderated by the warm Labrador Current flowing into the area. This ensures fishing throughout the year.
- Advanced fishing technology that has provided modern fishing equipment and preservation facilities.
African Fishing Grounds
– Africa is not a major exporter and producer of fish and fish products despite having numerous rivers, lakes and being surrounded by seas and oceans. This is because: –
- Ocean waters are warm/coasts washed by warm ocean currents that limit plankton growth (give example)
- The coastlines are straight/regular thus discourages fish breeding and development of fishing ports. (expose with an example – Indian Ocean coastline).
- Ocean waters are shallow due to growth of corals/coral reefs
- The continental shelves are narrow.
Fishing grounds in South Atlantic Ocean
There are minor fishing grounds along the Atlantic coast that are found in the southern hemisphere.
They include: –
South West African/Namibian Coast
covers the coast of Namibia and Cape Province of the Republic of South Africa. It is rich in fish because it is washed by the cold Benguela current; which results in the upwelling of water hence rich in planktons.
Mauritanian Coast
this is found in the northwest African Coast. It is rich in fish since it has a wide and shallow continental shelf and the presence of the cold Canary current that allows plankton growth.
West Coast of South America
this covers the coast of Peru in South America. It is rich in fish because of the cold Peruvian current and the wide and shallow continental shelf.
North East Atlantic Fishing Ground
This is located in the north western part of Europe.
It passes through France, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Spain and Portugal.
It is the leading fish exporting region in the world.
The main fish species caught here are cod, herring and mackerel.
The main fishing methods employed along these grounds are trawling, drifting and line fishing
Atlantic Fishing Grounds
These are found in the Atlantic ocean
This is further divided into
North West Atlantic Fishing Ground
This is located in the northeastern coasts of North America from the eastern coasts of Canada to New England in the USA through the provinces of Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia.
The main fish species caught here include cod, herring, haddock, mackerel, and lobster.
The fishing methods used here include seining, trawling and drifting
Types of Fish
Fish can be classified according to habitat into freshwater fish and saline/salty/marine water fish.
Freshwater fish are those fish species that live in fresh inland waters – lakes, rivers & ponds/dams.
They include tilapia, trout, Nile perch, pike, eel, carp, sturgeon, dagaa, etc. Marine/salty water fish are those that live their entire lives in saline fisheries such as the ocean and seas.
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