Fishing in a way that doesn’t harm the environment is getting easier and cheaper, thanks to new technology. Fishermen, like Ian Wightman, are using tools from SafetyNet Technologies to reduce bycatch. Bycatch is when unintended sea animals get caught in fishing gear. These tools use LED lights, cameras, and sensors to attract the right fish and keep away unwanted animals like dolphins. This helps fishermen catch more of the fish they want and waste less time and resources.

Studies have found that using lights can reduce bycatch by 63% and help fishermen get their nets back and untangled faster. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has been working with fishermen to test using colored LED lights to lower the chances of catching unintended sea creatures. They found that green lights are the best at keeping turtles from getting caught.

Even though this technology has been successful, some people wonder if the fishing industry will use it because of the cost. Akbar Digdo, who leads a non-profit in Indonesia, suggests combining the technology with a way to help fishermen afford it. Also, tools like the CatchCam, a camera that attaches to the fishing net, and Enki, a data collection system, have helped fishermen like Wightman work more efficiently and create less waste.

Using technology for sustainable fishing is a win for the ocean and for fishermen. It reduces bycatch, helps fishermen make more money, and makes fishing more efficient. Even though there are challenges, this technology has a lot of potential to help the environment and the fishing industry.

Original news source: Sustainable fishing: The tech making it cheaper and greener (BBC)

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Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Reporter Role-play
Instructions: Students will be divided into pairs. One student will act as a news reporter and the other as an expert on sustainable fishing technology. The reporter will interview the expert about the new technologies mentioned in the article, such as the LED lights, cameras, and sensors that help reduce bycatch. They should also discuss the potential benefits and challenges this technology poses to the fishing industry.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Write down key terms from the article (e.g., bycatch, LED, sustainability, sensors, efficiency) on separate pieces of paper. Divide the class into two teams. Members from each team will take turns drawing the terms for their teammates to guess within a set time limit. Points are awarded for each correctly guessed term.

– Opinion Spectrum
Instructions: Create a line in the classroom that represents a spectrum of opinions from ‘Strongly Agree’ to ‘Strongly Disagree.’ Read out statements related to the article’s content, like “Technology will solve the bycatch problem in fishing.” or “The cost of new fishing technology is too high for widespread adoption.” Students will place themselves along the line according to their opinion and discuss their reasons with the person next to them.

– Think-Pair-Share
Instructions: Pose a question to the class such as, “How can we balance the need for technological advancement with the costs associated with it in the fishing industry?” Give students a few minutes to think about their answer individually, then have them pair up to share their thoughts. After discussing in pairs, they will share a summary of their discussion with the whole class.

– Future Predictions
Instructions: Ask students to imagine the future of the fishing industry based on the information from the article. They will write a short paragraph predicting how the use of technology will evolve in the next 10 years and its impact on both the environment and the fishing economy. After writing, they can share their predictions with the class and discuss the feasibility and potential obstacles they foresee.

Comprehension Questions:

1. What is the main benefit of the new technology being used by fishermen like Ian Wightman?
2. What is bycatch and why is it a problem for fishermen?
3. How do the tools from SafetyNet Technologies help reduce bycatch?
4. What percentage can using lights reduce bycatch according to studies?
5. Which color of LED lights has been found to be most effective in preventing turtles from getting caught?
6. What are the concerns some people have about the adoption of this new fishing technology?
7. How have the CatchCam and Enki improved the fishing process for fishermen?
8. What are the overall advantages of using technology for sustainable fishing mentioned in the article?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Fishing in a way that doesn’t harm the environment is getting easier and cheaper, thanks to new technology. Fishermen, like Ian Wightman, are using tools from SafetyNet (1)______ to reduce bycatch. Bycatch is when unintended sea animals get caught in (2)______ gear. These tools use LED lights, cameras, and (3)______ to attract the (4)______ fish and keep away unwanted animals like dolphins. This helps fishermen catch more of the fish they want and waste less time and (5)______.

Studies have found that (6)______ (7)______ can reduce bycatch by 63% and help fishermen get their nets back and untangled faster. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has been working with fishermen to test using colored LED lights to lower the chances of catching (8)______ sea creatures. They found that green lights are the best at keeping turtles from getting caught.

Even though this technology has been (9)______, some people (10)______ if the fishing industry will use it because of the cost. Akbar Digdo, who leads a non-profit in Indonesia, suggests combining the technology with a way to help (11)______ afford it. Also, (12)______ like the CatchCam, a camera that attaches to the fishing net, and Enki, a data collection (13)______, have helped fishermen like (14)______ work more efficiently and create less waste.

(15)______ technology for sustainable fishing is a win for the (16)______ and for fishermen. It reduces bycatch, helps fishermen make more money, and makes fishing more efficient. Even though there are challenges, this technology has a lot of potential to help the environment and the fishing industry.
Go to answers ⇩

Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is bycatch and why do you think it’s a problem for the ocean?
2. How would you feel if you were a fisherman and you caught animals you didn’t intend to catch?
3. Do you like the idea of using LED lights to help fishermen catch the right kind of fish? Why or why not?
4. Do you think technology can solve many of our environmental problems? Give some examples.
5. Have you ever seen or heard about animals being harmed due to human activities? What happened?
6. What is a non-profit organization, and how do you think they can help with issues like bycatch?
7. How do you think fishermen could afford new technologies that are good for the environment but might be expensive?
8. What is sustainable fishing and why is it important for our planet?
9. Do you think it’s important to balance making money with protecting the environment? Why or why not?
10. How would you feel if new technology made your job easier and more efficient?
11. What are some other ways you can think of to reduce waste in different jobs or industries?
12. Do you think it’s the responsibility of businesses to invest in environmentally friendly technology? Why or why not?
13. Can you think of any examples where technology has made a big difference in protecting the environment?
14. How do you think the fishing industry can encourage more fishermen to use these new technologies?
15. What do you think the world would be like if all industries worked towards being more sustainable?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. technology
2. bycatch
3. LED lights
4. efficient
5. sustainable
6. resources
7. environment
8. fishermen

Meanings:
(a) Capable of being maintained at a steady level without causing harm
(b) The surroundings in which people, animals, and plants live
(c) Unintended sea animals caught in fishing gear
(d) Able to produce the desired results without wasting time or energy
(e) People who catch fish for a living
(f) Materials or supplies that can be used to accomplish a task
(g) Small, powerful lights that use light-emitting diodes
(h) Tools or equipment that make tasks easier or more effective
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is bycatch in the fishing industry?
(a) When fishermen catch too many fish
(b) When fishermen use the wrong kind of bait
(c) When unintended sea animals get caught in fishing gear
(d) When fishing boats get tangled in each other’s nets

2. What do the tools from SafetyNet Technologies use to reduce bycatch?
(a) LED lights, cameras, and sensors
(b) Fishing nets and hooks
(c) Sonar and radar
(d) Harpoons and spears

3. How much can using lights reduce bycatch by?
(a) 25%
(b) 50%
(c) 63%
(d) 75%

4. What has the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) found is the best color of LED lights to keep turtles from getting caught?
(a) Red
(b) Blue
(c) Yellow
(d) Green

5. What does Akbar Digdo suggest to help fishermen afford the new technology?
(a) Combining the technology with a way to help fishermen afford it
(b) Asking for donations from the government
(c) Selling the technology at a lower price
(d) Giving the technology to fishermen for free

6. What is the CatchCam?
(a) A type of fish found in the ocean
(b) A camera that attaches to the fishing net
(c) A tool for catching crabs
(d) A type of fishing boat

7. How does using technology for sustainable fishing benefit fishermen?
(a) It reduces waste
(b) It helps them make more money
(c) It makes fishing more efficient
(d) All of the above

8. What is one of the potential benefits of using technology for sustainable fishing?
(a) Making fishing more expensive
(b) Increasing bycatch
(c) Wasting more time and resources
(d) Helping the environment and the fishing industry

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. Some people are excited about the cost of this new technology and are confident that the fishing industry will adopt it.
2. LED lights, cameras, and sensors are being used to attract the right fish and keep away unwanted animals like dolphins.
3. Studies have shown that using lights can increase bycatch by 63% and hinder fishermen from getting their nets back and untangled faster.
4. New technology is making it easier and cheaper for fishermen to fish in a way that doesn’t harm the environment.
5. Tools from SafetyNet Technologies are being used to reduce bycatch, which is when unintended sea animals get caught in fishing gear.
6. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has been testing using colored LED lights to increase the chances of catching unintended sea creatures, and they found that green lights are the worst at keeping turtles from getting caught.
7. Tools like the CatchCam and Enki have hindered fishermen from working efficiently and increased waste, making fishing less sustainable.
8. Akbar Digdo suggests combining the technology with a way to help fishermen afford it.
Go to answers ⇩

Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. What is bycatch and why is it a problem for fishermen like Ian Wightman?
2. How do the tools from SafetyNet Technologies help reduce bycatch?
3. What has the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) discovered about using colored LED lights in fishing?
4. Why might some people in the fishing industry hesitate to use the new technology?
5. What are the CatchCam and Enki, and how do they benefit fishermen?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What is the main benefit of the new technology being used by fishermen like Ian Wightman?
The main benefit of the new technology is that it helps reduce bycatch, which allows fishermen to catch more of the fish they actually want and waste less time and resources.

2. What is bycatch and why is it a problem for fishermen?
Bycatch is when unintended sea animals get caught in fishing gear. It’s a problem because it can harm the ecosystem and it’s a waste of time and resources for fishermen who have to deal with unwanted catch.

3. How do the tools from SafetyNet Technologies help reduce bycatch?
The tools use LED lights, cameras, and sensors to attract the right kind of fish and repel unwanted animals, like dolphins, which helps reduce bycatch.

4. What percentage can using lights reduce bycatch according to studies?
Using lights can reduce bycatch by 63%.

5. Which color of LED lights has been found to be most effective in preventing turtles from getting caught?
Green LED lights have been found to be most effective in preventing turtles from getting caught.

6. What are the concerns some people have about the adoption of this new fishing technology?
Some people are concerned about the cost of the new technology and whether the fishing industry will be willing to use it.

7. How have the CatchCam and Enki improved the fishing process for fishermen?
The CatchCam, a camera that attaches to the fishing net, and Enki, a data collection system, have helped fishermen like Wightman work more efficiently and create less waste.

8. What are the overall advantages of using technology for sustainable fishing mentioned in the article?
The overall advantages include reducing bycatch, helping fishermen make more money, and making fishing more efficient. This technology has the potential to benefit both the environment and the fishing industry.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) Technologies
(2) fishing
(3) sensors
(4) right
(5) resources
(6) using
(7) lights
(8) unintended
(9) successful
(10) wonder
(11) fishermen
(12) tools
(13) system
(14) Wightman
(15) Using
(16) ocean
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. technology
Answer: (h) Tools or equipment that make tasks easier or more effective

2. bycatch
Answer: (c) Unintended sea animals caught in fishing gear

3. LED lights
Answer: (g) Small, powerful lights that use light-emitting diodes

4. efficient
Answer: (d) Able to produce the desired results without wasting time or energy

5. sustainable
Answer: (a) Capable of being maintained at a steady level without causing harm

6. resources
Answer: (f) Materials or supplies that can be used to accomplish a task

7. environment
Answer: (b) The surroundings in which people, animals, and plants live

8. fishermen
Answer: (e) People who catch fish for a living
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is bycatch in the fishing industry?
Answer: (c) When unintended sea animals get caught in fishing gear

2. What do the tools from SafetyNet Technologies use to reduce bycatch?
Answer: (a) LED lights, cameras, and sensors

3. How much can using lights reduce bycatch by?
Answer: (c) 63%

4. What has the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) found is the best color of LED lights to keep turtles from getting caught?
Answer: (d) Green

5. What does Akbar Digdo suggest to help fishermen afford the new technology?
Answer: (a) Combining the technology with a way to help fishermen afford it

6. What is the CatchCam?
Answer: (b) A camera that attaches to the fishing net

7. How does using technology for sustainable fishing benefit fishermen?
Answer: (b) It helps them make more money

8. What is one of the potential benefits of using technology for sustainable fishing?
Answer: (d) Helping the environment and the fishing industry
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. Some people are excited about the cost of this new technology and are confident that the fishing industry will adopt it. (Answer: False)
2. LED lights, cameras, and sensors are being used to attract the right fish and keep away unwanted animals like dolphins. (Answer: True)
3. Studies have shown that using lights can increase bycatch by 63% and hinder fishermen from getting their nets back and untangled faster. (Answer: False)
4. New technology is making it easier and cheaper for fishermen to fish in a way that doesn’t harm the environment. (Answer: True)
5. Tools from SafetyNet Technologies are being used to reduce bycatch, which is when unintended sea animals get caught in fishing gear. (Answer: True)
6. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has been testing using colored LED lights to increase the chances of catching unintended sea creatures, and they found that green lights are the worst at keeping turtles from getting caught. (Answer: False)
7. Tools like the CatchCam and Enki have hindered fishermen from working efficiently and increased waste, making fishing less sustainable. (Answer: False)
8. Akbar Digdo suggests combining the technology with a way to help fishermen afford it. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧