The IELTS Reading section tests your ability to comprehend complex texts and extract key information. Today, we’ll focus on a topic that has become increasingly prevalent in recent years: the impacts of climate change on the fishing industry. This subject has appeared in various forms in past IELTS exams and, given its ongoing relevance, is likely to resurface in future tests. Let’s dive into a practice passage and questions to help you prepare for this potential topic.
Practice Passage: The Fishing Industry in a Changing Climate
Climate Change and Its Effects on Global Fisheries
Climate change is having a profound impact on the world’s oceans and, consequently, on the fishing industry. Rising sea temperatures, changing ocean currents, and increasing acidification are altering marine ecosystems in ways that significantly affect fish populations and their distribution. These changes pose substantial challenges to the fishing industry, which plays a crucial role in global food security and provides livelihoods for millions of people worldwide.
One of the most noticeable effects of climate change on fisheries is the shift in fish distribution. As ocean temperatures rise, many fish species are moving towards cooler waters, typically towards the poles or into deeper waters. This migration can lead to decreased catches in traditional fishing grounds, forcing fishing fleets to travel further and potentially enter new jurisdictional waters, which can lead to international conflicts over fishing rights.
Ocean acidification, caused by the absorption of excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, is another major concern. This process makes it difficult for shellfish and other calcifying organisms to form their shells and skeletons. The decline in these species can have ripple effects throughout the marine food web, ultimately affecting commercially important fish stocks.
Extreme weather events, which are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change, pose direct threats to fishing communities and infrastructure. Storms and rising sea levels can damage or destroy fishing boats, ports, and processing facilities, disrupting the entire supply chain of the fishing industry.
The changing climate is also affecting the timing of important biological events, such as plankton blooms and fish spawning. This can lead to mismatches in the food web, where predator and prey species that were once in sync are now out of step, potentially leading to declines in fish populations.
Developing countries, which often rely heavily on fisheries for food security and economic stability, are particularly vulnerable to these changes. Many of these nations lack the resources to adapt to shifting fish stocks or to withstand the economic impacts of reduced catches.
However, the fishing industry is not merely a passive victim of climate change. Overfishing and destructive fishing practices have weakened the resilience of marine ecosystems, making them more vulnerable to climate impacts. Sustainable fishing practices and effective management of marine protected areas are crucial for building resilience in these ecosystems.
Adaptation strategies are being developed and implemented in various parts of the world. These include diversifying catch species, improving weather forecasting and early warning systems for extreme events, and developing more resilient aquaculture practices. Some regions are also exploring the potential benefits of shifting fish distributions, such as new fishing opportunities in previously ice-covered Arctic waters.
Research and international cooperation play vital roles in addressing these challenges. Scientists are working to improve climate models and their ability to predict changes in marine ecosystems. Meanwhile, international agreements and organizations are striving to manage fish stocks sustainably across national boundaries.
In conclusion, the impacts of climate change on the fishing industry are complex and far-reaching. While the challenges are significant, there are opportunities for adaptation and mitigation. The future of the fishing industry will depend on our ability to understand, predict, and respond to these changes in a sustainable and equitable manner.
Questions
True/False/Not Given
Determine if the following statements are True, False, or Not Given based on the information in the passage.
- Climate change is causing fish to move towards warmer waters near the equator.
- Ocean acidification primarily affects shellfish and other calcifying organisms.
- Extreme weather events pose a threat to fishing communities and infrastructure.
- All countries are equally affected by the changes in fish distribution.
- The fishing industry contributes to making marine ecosystems more vulnerable to climate change.
Multiple Choice
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.
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According to the passage, which of the following is NOT mentioned as an effect of climate change on fisheries?
A) Shifts in fish distribution
B) Changes in ocean acidity
C) Increased fish reproduction rates
D) Damage to fishing infrastructure -
The passage suggests that developing countries are particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts on fisheries because:
A) They have the largest fishing fleets
B) They lack resources to adapt
C) Their waters are warming faster
D) They consume more fish than developed countries
Matching Headings
Match the following headings to the correct paragraphs in the passage. Write the correct number (i-viii) next to questions 8-12.
i. Disruption of marine food webs
ii. Climate change effects on fish movement
iii. Impact on developing nations
iv. Adaptation strategies in the fishing industry
v. The role of ocean acidification
vi. Extreme weather and fishing infrastructure
vii. Overfishing and ecosystem resilience
viii. Research and international cooperation
- Paragraph 2: __
- Paragraph 3: __
- Paragraph 4: __
- Paragraph 6: __
- Paragraph 9: __
Summary Completion
Complete the summary below using words from the box. Write the correct letter (A-L) next to questions 13-17.
A) resilience B) acidification C) migration D) overfishing
E) adaptation F) aquaculture G) forecasting H) ecosystems
I) sustainable J) protected K) cooperation L) diversifying
Climate change is affecting the fishing industry through various mechanisms, including fish (13)__ and ocean (14)__. These changes are particularly challenging for developing countries. The industry is responding with (15)__ strategies such as (16)__ catch species and improving weather (17)__. International research and cooperation are crucial for addressing these challenges.
Answer Key and Explanations
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False – The passage states that fish are moving towards cooler waters, typically towards the poles or into deeper waters.
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True – The passage mentions that ocean acidification makes it difficult for shellfish and other calcifying organisms to form their shells and skeletons.
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True – The passage explicitly states that extreme weather events pose direct threats to fishing communities and infrastructure.
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Not Given – The passage does not compare the effects on all countries equally.
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True – The passage mentions that overfishing and destructive fishing practices have weakened the resilience of marine ecosystems.
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C – The passage does not mention increased fish reproduction rates as an effect of climate change.
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B – The passage states that developing countries often lack the resources to adapt to shifting fish stocks or to withstand the economic impacts of reduced catches.
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ii – This paragraph discusses how fish are moving towards cooler waters due to rising ocean temperatures.
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v – This paragraph explains the process and effects of ocean acidification.
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vi – This paragraph describes how extreme weather events affect fishing communities and infrastructure.
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iii – This paragraph specifically discusses the impact on developing countries.
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viii – This paragraph focuses on the role of research and international cooperation in addressing the challenges.
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C – migration
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B – acidification
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E – adaptation
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L – diversifying
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G – forecasting
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Misinterpreting “Not Given” statements: Remember, if the information is not explicitly stated in the passage, it should be marked as “Not Given.”
- Overlooking key words: Pay close attention to words like “all,” “most,” “some,” which can change the meaning of a statement.
- Relying on prior knowledge: Base your answers solely on the information provided in the passage, not on what you might already know about the topic.
- Rushing through the passage: Take time to understand the main ideas and structure of the text before attempting to answer questions.
Key Vocabulary
- Acidification (n): /əˌsɪdɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/ – the process of becoming acid or being converted into an acid
- Calcifying (adj): /ˈkælsɪfaɪɪŋ/ – forming calcium carbonate deposits
- Resilience (n): /rɪˈzɪliəns/ – the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties
- Aquaculture (n): /ˈækwəkʌltʃər/ – the rearing of aquatic animals or the cultivation of aquatic plants for food
Grammar Focus
Pay attention to the use of conditional sentences in the passage, particularly the second conditional, which is used to talk about hypothetical situations:
“The future of the fishing industry will depend on our ability to understand, predict, and respond to these changes.”
This sentence structure (will + infinitive in the main clause) is used to express predictions about the future based on current conditions.
Tips for Success
- Practice active reading: As you read, try to identify main ideas and supporting details.
- Improve your vocabulary: Regularly learn new words related to environmental and scientific topics.
- Time management: Allocate your time wisely between reading the passage and answering questions.
- Use context clues: If you encounter unfamiliar words, try to understand their meaning from the surrounding context.
- Stay informed: Regularly read articles on current global issues to build your background knowledge.
Remember, success in the IELTS Reading section comes with consistent practice and a strategic approach. Keep working on your skills, and you’ll see improvement over time.
For more practice on climate change-related topics, you might want to check out our articles on the effects of climate change on global fisheries and climate change’s effect on the seafood industry.