Identify one argument in favour of humans hunting puffins.

Identify one argument against humans hunting puffins.

With reference to Figure 8(c) state the impact that an increase in the mackerel population might have on the Atlantic puffin population.

Identify two reasons why the future size of the Atlantic puffin population is difficult to predict.

With reference to Figure 8(d) identify two factors which may account for the changes in total capture of Atlantic herring.

This question requires “Resource Booklet - Nov 2017 SL paper 1”, available under the "your tests" tab > supplemental materials.

cultural/traditional practice for Icelanders;
they are not locally endangered;
legally allowed in Iceland;
source of protein/food;
economical value;
puffin meat/products may attract tourists;
hunting puffins reduce competition for fish stocks;

This question requires “Resource Booklet - Nov 2017 SL paper 1”, available under the "your tests" tab > supplemental materials.

knock-on effects on food web;
biorights of puffins/intrinsic value of puffins;
population in decline;
status may change from vulnerable to endangered/extinct;
if over-exploited will not be a sustainable source of food/will cease to be a source of food;

Do not accept only ‘puffins are vulnerable’.

number of puffins could decline (as mackerel eat their prey/competition for food sources);

Do not accept only ‘there is less food available for puffins’.

This question requires “Resource Booklet - Nov 2017 SL paper 1”, available under the "your tests" tab > supplemental materials.

multiple interrelated threats affecting them;
impact of extreme weather/impact of climate change not fully understood;
unexpected diseases may affect population numbers;
inaccuracies in population counts;
large geographical range makes representative sampling difficult;
difficult to predict future number of prey species/food availability/difficult to predict number of competitors (eg mackerel);
calculations only based on estimates with large margin of error;
in future changes may be made to the management/legislation/policies on puffins (eg hunting of puffins may be banned); 

NB Do not credit for only over-hunted/overfishing/is part of a complex food web/‘weather’.

This question requires “Resource Booklet - Nov 2017 SL paper 1”, available under the "your tests" tab > supplemental materials.

increase in catch due to more boats at sea;
increase in catch due to improvements in technology;
increase in catch due to extended fishing grounds;
increase in catch due to recovery of fishing stocks from over harvesting;
improved fishing technology/over-fishing may lead to reduced populations over time resulting in reduced catches;
reduction in catch due to less number of boats allowed to fish/increase in mesh size of nets;
reduction in catch due to more strict regulations/reduced quotas/total allowable catches/regulations to restrict catches/increase in catch due to increase in quotas/total allowable catches;
increased number of predators may reduce population of herring/reduction in number of predator (eg puffin) may increase population of herring/reduction in prey reduces herring population/more available prey may result in an increase in the population of herring;
changes in demand for herring from markets results in an increase/decrease in catches;
climate change may cause changes in distribution and populations that result in an increase/decrease in catches;

NB A correct reason must be linked to either a rise or fall in the amount of captured Atlantic herring to be credited a mark. Restricting/limiting fishing can be considered as a reduction in fish catches.

Most candidates answered this question well.

Most candidates answered this question well. A common error was to state that puffins are vulnerable without commenting how hunting could further reduce its population numbers or alter its IUCN classification to endangered.

A common error was to explain there was competition between mackerel and puffins but not to suggest that this could result in a reduction in puffin population.

Many students answered this question well. The most common responses were extreme weather conditions and availability of food.

Few candidates answered this question well. Many gave generic answers eg ‘use of quotas’ without linking their answer to the increase or decrease of catches illustrated in figure 8d.