IB ESS HL 4.3.16 Hl Marine Mammal Harvesting Ethics Questions
Evaluate ethical, cultural and ecological arguments around marine mammal harvesting.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2026
- Course
- ESS HL
- Level
- HL
Exam points
- identify ethical, ecological, legal, cultural and economic arguments for and against harvesting aquatic species
- explain how species status, harvesting methods, sustainability and ecosystem effects influence controversy
- evaluate a harvesting decision by balancing biorights, conservation agreements, subsistence, livelihoods, food security and economic dependence
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IB ESS HL 4.3.16 Hl Marine Mammal Harvesting Ethics Questions question 1
[Maximum number: 7]
Explain why the harvesting of a named aquatic species may be controversial.
Arguments against may include: ethical issues arise over biorights of the aquatic species;
harvesting may contravene international conservation agreements;
species may be endangered/threatened with extinction;
some may consider the harvesting method as cruel/unethical;
if unsustainable, whole regions of the ocean may deplete of fish;
ecocentrics may promote veganism and oppose harvest of animal species;
ecocentrics would oppose any large scale harvesting/food production systems;
Arguments in favour may include: harvesting necessary for some societies for subsistence/survival;
whole economies may be based on harvesting aquatic species;
fishing as a recreation/hobby brings people closer to nature;
aquaculture may allow harvesting without endangering the species;
if harvesting is within sustainable limits it poses no threat to others;
anthropocentrics would support sustainable harvesting;
technocentrics would support achieving maximum yield/greatest economic return; .and whatever technology/harvesting method will be most efficient in achieving this;
eg whales hunting methods are cruel;
unethical to kill animals;
modern technologies are very efficient allowing no chance to the whale to escape (so it's "unfair");
populations are declining / many whale species are now endangered;
conflicts arise over territorial rights among fleet of different nations;
other species (eg dolphins) may be killed in the process / by-catch kill;
large parts are thrown back to sea (so wasting the kill);
increase in illegal whale hunting of endangered species (along with hunting of non
endangered species);
usually harvesting is not sustainable (as it is economic profit that counts);
in most countries (Norway, Japan, Iceland) whaling is not necessary for their subsistence nowadays;
conflicts arise with ecocentric NGOs opposing whaling (eg Greenpeace);
Marking guidance:
Award [6 max] if no named aquatic species.
Award [4 max] if response only addresses "arguments in favour" ("controversial" strongly implies arguments against).
If more than one species is addressed, credit only the highest scoring example.
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