Ocean currents, influenced by various forces such as wind, Earth's rotation, temperature, and salinity, play a crucial role in global climate and marine ecosystems.

Q.14 What are the forces that influence ocean currents? Describe their role in the fishing industry of the world.

Model Answer:

Introduction

Ocean currents are large-scale movements of water in the Earth's oceans, driven by various forces and playing a crucial role in global climate patterns and marine ecosystems. These currents significantly impact the fishing industry worldwide by influencing the distribution of nutrients, fish populations, and overall marine biodiversity.

Body

The main forces influencing ocean currents are

1. Wind- Surface currents are primarily driven by global wind patterns, particularly trade winds and westerlies.
2. Earth's rotation (Coriolis effect)- This force deflects moving objects to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere, shaping the direction of currents.
3. Temperature and salinity differences- These factors create density gradients in the ocean, driving deep ocean currents (thermohaline circulation).
4. Gravity- The gravitational pull of the Moon and Sun causes tides, which can create localised currents in coastal areas.
5. Topography- The shape of the ocean floor and coastlines can influence the direction and strength of currents.

‍

The role of ocean currents in the global fishing industry is multifaceted

1. Nutrient distribution: Currents transport nutrients from nutrient-rich areas to nutrient-poor regions, supporting phytoplankton growth and, consequently, entire marine food webs.
2. Fish migration: Many commercially important fish species rely on currents for migration and spawning, influencing where and when fishing activities occur.
3. Larval transport: Currents disperse fish eggs and larvae, affecting the distribution and recruitment of fish populations.
4. Productivity hotspots: Areas where currents converge or upwell often create highly productive fishing grounds.
5. Fishing operations:  Knowledge of currents is essential for efficient fishing operations, navigation, and safety at sea.
6. Climate impacts: Changes in ocean currents due to climate change can affect fish distributions and abundance, requiring adaptations in fishing practices and management.

Conclusion

Understanding ocean currents is crucial for sustainable fisheries management, as they play a vital role in the distribution, abundance, and overall health of marine ecosystems that support the global fishing industry.

‍

Instant Mains Evaluation with SuperKalam

✅ Now that you have gone through the model answer, try practicing and writing it in your own words and evaluate it instantly with SuperKalam here - Evaluate Mains Answer instantly