Q. What are the forces that influence ocean currents? Describe their role in fishing industry of the world.

Model Answer:

Ocean Currents: Influences and Impact on Global Fishing Industry

Ocean currents, the continuous movements of water in the world’s oceans, play a crucial role in global climate and marine ecosystems. They are influenced by various forces and significantly impact the fishing industry worldwide.

The primary forces influencing ocean currents include:

• Wind patterns: Trade winds and westerlies drive surface currents.
• Earth’s rotation: The Coriolis effect deflects currents (e.g., Gulf Stream).
• Temperature and salinity differences: Create thermohaline circulation, affecting deep ocean currents.
• Gravitational pull of the moon and sun: Generates tides, influencing coastal currents.
• Topography of the ocean floor and coastlines: Shapes current paths and intensities.

These currents profoundly affect the global fishing industry in several ways:

1. Nutrient distribution: Upwelling brings nutrient-rich deep waters to the surface, supporting plankton growth and fish populations (e.g., Peru Current).

2. Fish habitat creation: Currents regulate water temperatures, creating suitable environments for various fish species (e.g., North Atlantic Drift).

3. Migration patterns: Many fish species rely on currents for their seasonal migrations (e.g., Atlantic bluefin tuna).

4. Fishing operations: Currents influence fishing vessel navigation and fuel efficiency, impacting operational costs and catch potential.

5. Plankton concentration: Convergence zones between currents concentrate plankton, attracting fish and creating productive fishing grounds (e.g., Grand Banks).

In conclusion, ocean currents, shaped by various forces, are vital to the fishing industry, influencing fish distribution, abundance, and fishing operations globally.