This issue is a "Hot" topic within the news at the moment and provides teachers with an outstanding start to a WebQuest.
The Commission for the Conservation of the Southern Bluefin Tuna (SBT) 2008 Advice as cited by Dr. Campbell Davies CSIRO (ABC Oct 16 Fishing puts southern bluefin tuna on the brink) "The 2008 advice from the CCSBT Scientific Committee (Commission of Conservation for Southern Bluefin Tuna) is that spawning biomass of SBT is likely to be less than 10 per cent of the unfished level. This level is below the level of many nationally and internationally recognised limit reference points for fisheries management." Commission is made up of Australia, New Zealand, Japan and other Asian countries with an interest in the fish. About 90 per cent of Australia's SBT comes from Port Lincoln in South Australia.
News Stories about the SBT:
Crean backs Japan to police tuna industry (27th Oct 2009)
Voice of America: 26th October
Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
Perspectives that could be taken:
Port Lincoln Mayer Peter Davis
Fisheries Minister Tony Burke
Commissioner at CCSBT representing Australia
SBT Fisherman
CSIRO Scientist
This WebQuest could be covered in Science, Biology, Ecology, Geography, or even Economics! Students from Years 5 - 12 could explore this issue.
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