Nekton (fish, squid, whales and other free swimmers)

Synthesis question: Why is there so much more plankton biomass than nekton biomass?

• What are nekton?

• What are plankton?

• Which are bigger? Why?

• Can a species be both? At the same time?

• Species fit in one or more of these levels.

• How does size change with pyramid level?

• Who inhabits

these levels in

the ocean?

Are there more

levels in the

ocean?

Why?

• Cetaceans (Marine Mammals). What are they?

• Two main kinds

• Which have a greater biomass?

• Whale “fishing”

• Some of the first international treaties on fisheries.

• Why international?

• Seals

• Where are they on the food chain?

• Except some!

• Crab eater seal

• What is the most common seal by

biomass?

• Squid!

• Good eating…

• Fish

• Where in the chain?

• Herring, Anchovies, sardines

• Cod, bluefish, flounder

• Tuna, Sharks

• Which fish are most likely to be overfished?