IELTS Reading Practice: The Impact of Climate Change on Fisheries

Welcome to this IELTS Reading practice session focused on “The impact of climate change on fisheries.” As an experienced IELTS instructor, I’ve noticed this topic gaining prominence in recent exams. Its relevance to environmental issues and global economics makes it a prime candidate for future tests. Let’s dive into a practice passage that mirrors the complexity and depth you might encounter in the actual IELTS Reading section.

Climate change impacts on global fisheries

Practice Passage: The Impact of Climate Change on Fisheries

Reading Passage

Climate change is significantly altering the world’s oceans, with far-reaching consequences for global fisheries. As temperatures rise and ocean chemistry shifts, marine ecosystems are undergoing rapid transformations that threaten both the quantity and quality of fish stocks worldwide.

One of the most direct impacts of climate change on fisheries is the migration of fish species. As water temperatures increase, many fish species are moving towards cooler waters, typically towards the poles or into deeper ocean layers. This shift is disrupting traditional fishing grounds and altering the composition of local marine ecosystems. For instance, in the North Sea, cod populations have moved northward by up to 200 kilometers in the past 40 years, challenging the fishing industries of countries like the UK and Denmark.

Ocean acidification, another consequence of rising carbon dioxide levels, poses a significant threat to shellfish and coral reefs. As the ocean absorbs more CO2, it becomes more acidic, making it difficult for organisms like oysters, clams, and corals to form and maintain their calcium carbonate shells and skeletons. This not only affects these species directly but also impacts the entire food web that depends on them, including many commercially important fish species.

Changes in ocean currents and water stratification due to warming are altering nutrient distribution in the oceans. This affects the base of the marine food web, starting with phytoplankton, and cascading up to fish and other marine life. In some regions, this has led to decreased productivity, while in others, it has caused harmful algal blooms that can be toxic to fish and humans alike.

Extreme weather events, which are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change, also pose a threat to fisheries. Storms can damage coastal habitats, including mangroves and seagrass beds, which serve as crucial nursery grounds for many fish species. Moreover, these events can destroy fishing infrastructure and endanger the lives of fishers, particularly in developing countries where small-scale fishing is a vital source of food and income.

The impact of climate change on fisheries extends beyond the marine environment to affect global food security and economies. Many coastal communities, especially in developing countries, rely heavily on fishing for their livelihoods and as a primary source of protein. As fish stocks decline or migrate, these communities face significant challenges in maintaining their way of life and nutritional needs.

Adapting to these changes requires a multi-faceted approach. Improved fisheries management, including the establishment of marine protected areas and the implementation of sustainable fishing practices, can help build resilience in fish populations. Additionally, investing in aquaculture and developing new fishing technologies may help offset some of the losses in wild fisheries.

International cooperation is crucial in addressing the impact of climate change on fisheries. As fish stocks move across national boundaries, countries must work together to manage these shared resources sustainably. This includes sharing data, coordinating research efforts, and developing joint management strategies.

In conclusion, the impact of climate change on fisheries is complex and far-reaching, affecting not only marine ecosystems but also global food security and economies. Addressing these challenges requires a combination of mitigation efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adaptation strategies to build resilience in both marine ecosystems and human communities dependent on fisheries.

Questions

1. According to the passage, which of the following is NOT a direct impact of climate change on fisheries?
   A) Migration of fish species
   B) Ocean acidification
   C) Changes in fishing technology
   D) Alteration of nutrient distribution

2. The passage suggests that cod populations in the North Sea have:
   A) Increased in number
   B) Moved southward
   C) Moved northward
   D) Remained stable

3. Ocean acidification primarily affects:
   A) Phytoplankton
   B) Shellfish and coral reefs
   C) Large predatory fish
   D) Seabirds

4. True/False/Not Given: Extreme weather events are becoming less frequent due to climate change.

5. What does the passage suggest about the impact of climate change on coastal communities in developing countries?
   A) It has no significant effect
   B) It mainly affects their tourism industry
   C) It threatens their food security and livelihoods
   D) It improves their fishing techniques

6. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a strategy for adapting to changes in fisheries?
   A) Establishing marine protected areas
   B) Implementing sustainable fishing practices
   C) Investing in aquaculture
   D) Increasing fishing quotas

7. The passage implies that addressing the impact of climate change on fisheries requires:
   A) Only national-level actions
   B) Primarily technological solutions
   C) International cooperation
   D) Focusing solely on wild fisheries

8-13. Complete the summary below using NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.

Climate change is affecting fisheries through various mechanisms. Rising temperatures cause fish to migrate towards (8) waters, disrupting traditional fishing grounds. (9) makes it difficult for shellfish to form shells, impacting the entire marine food web. Changes in ocean currents affect (10) distribution, which can lead to decreased productivity or harmful algal blooms. (11) can damage coastal habitats and fishing infrastructure. These changes threaten global (12) and economies, particularly affecting coastal communities in developing countries. Adapting to these changes requires improved fisheries management, investment in (13), and international cooperation.

Answer Key

1. C
2. C
3. B
4. False
5. C
6. D
7. C
8. cooler
9. Ocean acidification
10. nutrient
11. Extreme weather events
12. food security
13. aquaculture

Explanations

1. C is correct because the passage does not mention changes in fishing technology as a direct impact of climate change on fisheries.

2. C is correct. The passage states, “In the North Sea, cod populations have moved northward by up to 200 kilometers in the past 40 years.”

3. B is correct. The passage explicitly mentions that ocean acidification affects shellfish and coral reefs.

4. False. The passage states, “Extreme weather events, which are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change…”

5. C is correct. The passage mentions that coastal communities in developing countries rely on fishing for livelihoods and as a primary source of protein, and these are threatened by climate change impacts.

6. D is correct. Increasing fishing quotas is not mentioned as an adaptation strategy in the passage.

7. C is correct. The passage emphasizes the need for international cooperation in addressing the impact of climate change on fisheries.

8-13.
8. cooler
9. Ocean acidification
10. nutrient
11. Extreme weather events
12. food security
13. aquaculture

These answers are taken directly from the passage and fit the context of the summary.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Misreading the question: Always read the question carefully and understand what it’s asking before looking for the answer in the text.

2. Falling for distractors: In multiple-choice questions, incorrect options often contain information from the text but don’t answer the specific question.

3. Overlooking negatives: Pay attention to words like “not,” “except,” or “unless” in questions, as they can completely change what you’re looking for.

4. Relying on prior knowledge: Base your answers solely on the information provided in the passage, not on what you already know about the topic.

5. Failing to manage time effectively: Remember to allocate your time wisely across all questions and passages in the Reading section.

Key Vocabulary

• Marine ecosystems: /məˈriːn ˈiːkəʊsɪstəmz/ (noun) – The community of living organisms in conjunction with the nonliving components of their environment in the sea.

• Ocean acidification: /ˈəʊʃən əˌsɪdɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/ (noun) – The ongoing decrease in the pH of the Earth’s oceans, caused by the uptake of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

• Phytoplankton: /ˌfaɪtəʊˈplæŋktən/ (noun) – Microscopic marine algae that form the base of many marine food webs.

• Coastal habitats: /ˈkəʊstl ˈhæbɪtæts/ (noun) – The areas where land and sea meet, providing unique environments for marine life.

• Food security: /fuːd sɪˈkjʊərəti/ (noun) – The state of having reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food.

Grammar Focus

Pay attention to the use of conditional sentences in discussing potential future impacts:

• First conditional (for likely or possible future events):
  If ocean temperatures continue to rise, more fish species will migrate to cooler waters.

• Second conditional (for hypothetical or less likely situations):
  If we were to implement stricter fishing regulations now, we could potentially mitigate some of the impacts on fish populations.

• Third conditional (for impossible past situations):
  If we had addressed climate change earlier, we might have prevented some of the current impacts on fisheries.

Tips for Success

1. Practice active reading: Engage with the text by highlighting key points and making brief notes.

2. Improve your vocabulary: Regularly learn new words related to environmental and scientific topics.

3. Develop your skimming and scanning skills: These are crucial for quickly locating specific information in the text.

4. Work on your time management: Practice completing reading tasks within the allocated time to improve your speed and efficiency.

5. Familiarize yourself with different question types: Each type requires a different approach, so practice all of them regularly.

Remember, success in IELTS Reading comes with consistent practice and a strategic approach. Keep working on your skills, and you’ll see improvement over time. Good luck with your IELTS preparation!

For more practice on IELTS Reading, check out our related articles on the impacts of climate change on global fisheries productivity and how climate change is impacting global fisheries.