Â鶹ÊÓƵ

Â鶹ÊÓƵ

USF College of Marine Science

News

Fish Banks Activity

Campers are all split up into groups, and each group is given their own commercial fishing company to manage.

The fish banks activity is always a favorite with the campers.

Week 3 – Fish Banks Activity, June 26

Hailey Clayton, Peer

The fish banks activity is always an amazing representation of commercial fishing. The campers are all split up into groups, and each group is given their own commercial fishing company to run. Within fish bank groups, the campers must decide where to place their ships – in the harbor, coast, or deep sea. The goal is to make a profit and have the most net income by the end of the game. It costs $50 to keep a boat in the harbor, $150 to keep a boat in coastal waters, and $250 to keep a boat in deep sea. They also have the option to auction off their boats or buy additional boats from the corrupt banker.

The fish banks activity is always an amazing representation of commercial fishing.

Since most campers choose to have their boats out in the ocean to catch fish, this results in a major decline in fish populations and illustrates the dangers of overfishing. After the fish banks game is over the mentors use a game of thumb wrestling to demonstrate how competition can hurt fisheries. The highlight of fish banks as a peer was to watch all their faces light up as they have fun and learn about the importance of not overfishing.  

Return to article listing

Mission Statement

Our blue planet faces a suite of challenges and opportunities for understanding and innovation. Our mission is to advance understanding of the interconnectivity of ocean systems and human-ocean interactions using a cross-disciplinary approach, to empower the next workforce of the blue economy with a world-class education experience, and to share our passion for a healthy environment and science-informed decision-making with community audiences near and far.