Problem A: Moving North
Global ocean temperatures affect the quality of habitats for
certain ocean-dwelling species. When temperature changes are
too great for their continued thriving, these species move to
seek other habitats better suited to their present and future
living and reproductive success. One example of this is seen in
the lobster population of Maine, USA that is slowly migrating
north to Canada where the lower ocean temperatures provide a
more suitable habitat. This geographic population shift can
significantly disrupt the livelihood of companies who depend
on the stability of ocean-dwelling species.
Your team has been hired as consultants by a Scottish North
Atlantic fishery management consortium. The consortium
wants to gain a better understanding of issues related to the
potential migration of Scottish herring and mackerel from their
current habitats near Scotland if and when global ocean
temperatures increase. These two fish species represent a
significant economic contribution to the Scottish fishing
industry. Changes in population locations of herring and
mackerel could make it economically impractical for smaller
Scotland-based fishing companies, who use fishing vessels