Passage 1 Oceans have provided people with food resources for thousands of years. However, we are in danger of losing these important resources. A 1996 study in the journal Science offers a scary prediction. According to the study, all the species we currently eat will have collapsed by the year 2048. True, the U. S. has taken certain steps to avoid overfishing. In 1976, our government passed the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act. This Act made it illegal for foreign fisheries to fish along our coast. It also defined limits for the size of fishing fleets and the number of allowable catches for individual fish species. Unfortunately, such rules are not enough. For one thing, they do not consider the nature of many fish like tuna, marlin, and shark. These fish are migratory, meaning they move from one place to another. Such fish may be protected in our waters, but as soon as they move into international waters, we lose control. For further proof that the Magnuson Act is not enough, one should consider that it is nearly impossible to catch one species without accidentally catching others. For example, when fishers cast their nets for one type of "bottom fish," such as cod, they cannot help but catch other bottom fish such as haddock or flounder. Finally, one must think about the simple fact that Earth's oceans are connected to one another. The loss of species in one ocean can have a negative impact on species in another ocean. Passage 2 Finally, some good news for fish-lovers: all over the U. S., fish populations are on the rise. Thanks to the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act, we are making sure that future generations will be able to eat fish. Pay no attention to the predictions of overfishing and loss of species. Such predictions were based upon a false assumption. Researchers had supposed that a recent decline in catches was due to decreased fish populations. However, the opposite was true: the decline was due to the Magnuson Act, which limited the number of allowable catches each year. In other words, the decline shows that fishing regulations have been helpful. Since then, research has shown that populations of many fish species are actually growing. According to the recent NOAA Fish Stock Sustainability Index, only 24% of fish stocks around the U. S. are below acceptable levels. This is a huge improvement from the 1970s, and we owe the improvement to the Magnuson Act. On the West Coast, limits on the number of allowable catches have managed to increase fish populations. In fact, many species are not being caught at all. Because "bottom fish" are often caught in the same net, restrictions on catching one type of fish often restrict catching others. In the New England area, restrictions on cod fishing have made it difficult to catch haddock, and thus haddock populations are as high as ever. If anything, the Magnuson Act may be too strict. The act's regulations are tough on fisheries and on the land. After all, if the worldwide supply of fish decreases, the demand for chicken, beef, and pork will increase. Raising cattle and livestock takes an environmental toll, both in the natural resources that are required, as well as the increased use of pesticides. Thus, this author urges an increase, rather than a decrease, in fishing. At present, fishing would seem the most responsible (and healthy) way to provide our growing population with food. 10 Which statement from Passage 2 supports the idea that the majority of U. S. fish stocks are well-protected? A. At present, fishing would seem the most responsible (and healthy) way to provide our growing population with food. B. According to the recent NOAA Fish Stock Sustainability Index, only 24% of fish stocks around the U. S. are below acceptable levels. C. After all, if the worldwide supply of fish decreases, the demand for chicken, beef, and pork will increase. D. Such predictions were based upon an incorrect assumption that a recent decline in catches was due to decreased fish populations. Reset Submit