Question

what is the biological impact of minimum catch sizes on a population of fish?
a. the population comes to be dominated by smaller, slower - growing individuals.
b. older, less productive adults are removed, improving the populations health.
c. it applies a selective pressure for larger, faster growing fish.
d. the fish in the population produce more and healthier eggs to compensate.

Explanation:

When minimum catch sizes are implemented, smaller fish are allowed to survive and reproduce. Over time, this can lead to a population dominated by smaller, slower - growing individuals. This is because the selective pressure (the act of catching larger fish) is removed for the smaller ones. Option b is incorrect as minimum catch sizes do not specifically target older, less productive adults. Option c is the opposite of what happens (it would be the case if there was a maximum catch size). Option d is not a direct biological impact of minimum catch sizes.

Answer:

a. The population comes to be dominated by smaller, slower - growing individuals.