🎧 Listen to today’s podcast
📚 Key Vocabulary
| Word | Definition | 中文 |
|---|---|---|
| bycatch | The unwanted fish and other marine creatures caught during commercial fishing for a different species. | 兼捕（在捕捞某种鱼类时无意中捕获的其他海洋生物） |
| apprehension | A feeling of anxiety or fear that something bad or unpleasant will happen. | 担忧，忧虑 |
| conservationists | People who work to protect animals, plants, and natural resources. | 环保人士，自然资源保护者 |
| perish | To die, especially in a sudden, violent, or unexpected way. | 死亡，消亡 |
| mitigate | To make something less harmful, unpleasant, or bad. | 减轻，缓解 |
| prohibit | To officially forbid something. | 禁止 |
| deterrent | Something that makes someone less likely to do something. | 威慑物，制止物 |
| livelihoods | The way someone earns money in order to live. | 生计 |
📖 Read the Article
Environmental organisations in the UK are intensifying their calls for the government to implement more robust measures against the accidental capture and death of marine animals in fishing nets, a critical issue commonly referred to as ‘bycatch’. This pressing concern is generating significant apprehension among conservationists due to its severe impact on ocean ecosystems.
A recent comprehensive report has shed light on the alarming scale of bycatch within UK territorial waters. It reveals that each year, an estimated tens of thousands of protected seabirds, alongside over a thousand porpoises and dolphins, and even dozens of whales, tragically perish through entanglement in fishing gear not intended for their capture. These unintended victims frequently drown as a result.
Criticism has been directed at the government for its perceived slow progress in devising effective strategies to mitigate bycatch. According to a spokesperson for the report, existing regulations near UK coastlines present an additional challenge, as they currently prohibit local fishermen from equipping their nets with acoustic deterrent devices. These devices, designed to emit specific sounds, have the potential to discourage dolphins and porpoises from approaching fishing gear, thereby substantially reducing the incidence of these intelligent creatures being caught inadvertently.
In response to mounting pressure, the government has affirmed its commitment to “restoring oceans to good health.” Officials have stated that trials for various deterrent methods have been ongoing since 2019. However, environmental groups contend that more immediate and comprehensive interventions are essential to tackle this ongoing crisis effectively. The situation highlights a complex dilemma, requiring a delicate balance between safeguarding marine wildlife and supporting the livelihoods of the fishing industry.
✏️ Reading Practice
1. What is the main purpose of the article?
- A.To describe the types of fish caught in UK waters.
- B.To highlight the problem of bycatch and urge government action.
- C.To praise the government’s efforts in marine conservation since 2019.
- D.To explain how acoustic devices work to protect marine life.
2. According to the report, which of the following animals are NOT mentioned as being affected by bycatch in UK waters?
- A.Seabirds
- B.Whales
- C.Seals
- D.Dolphins
3. What inference can be made about the current effectiveness of the government’s bycatch reduction efforts?
- A.Environmental groups believe they are insufficient and too slow.
- B.The government has successfully restored ocean health since 2019.
- C.Fishermen are actively installing acoustic devices on their nets.
- D.The problem of bycatch is no longer a serious concern.
4. The word ‘mitigate’ in paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to:
- A.Exacerbate
- B.Complicate
- C.Create
- D.Reduce
5. Why are local fishermen currently unable to use acoustic deterrent devices in UK waters?
- A.They are too expensive for most fishermen.
- B.Existing regulations near the coast prohibit their use.
- C.The devices have been proven ineffective in trials.
- D.Environmental groups oppose the technology.