What is one way humans can assist in the protection of aquatic ecosystems?

Implementing sustainable fishing practices is a crucial way for humans to assist in the protection of aquatic ecosystems. Sustainable fishing focuses on maintaining fish populations at healthy levels and ensuring that fishing activities do not deplete resources or cause significant harm to the aquatic environment. This involves techniques that minimize bycatch, protect breeding grounds, and allow for the natural replenishment of fish stocks.

By adopting sustainable practices, fishers can contribute to the long-term viability of fish populations, which in turn supports the entire aquatic ecosystem, including the species that depend on these fish for food, and ensures that habitats are preserved. This approach balances the need for fishing as a food source with the necessity of protecting aquatic ecosystems for future generations.

In contrast, options emphasizing increasing industrial waste discharge, building more dams, or encouraging overfishing all pose risks to aquatic ecosystems, either by polluting water sources, disrupting natural water flow, or depleting fish populations beyond sustainable levels.