Fishing for Facts and Making Waves

The Cod Crash: A Lesson in Overfishing (2/2)

© 2026Based on the ideas of:   Stangassinger, JohannaCC BY-NC-SA 4.0CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Biology
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Learning Goal(s)
Explore impacts and solutions as well as the parties affected by the socio-scientific issue.
Learning Goal(s)
For each impact and/or potential solution, identify the parties (groups, communities, organisations, etc.) across society affected the most – both positively and negatively. Consider geographical, socio-economic, cultural and demographic factors.
Potential Misinformation and Exploitable Learner Misconceptions

1. People may assume that ocean resources are limitless due to the ocean’s size.

2. People may believe fish stocks bounce back immediately after a moratorium.

3. People may think plastic is the only major threat to the ocean.

Lesson Plan Details:

Subject-Specific Learning Goals

Learners will be able to examine how diverse interests and values influence decision-making around the fishing industry.

Required Infrastructure & Teaching Materials
Student tabletsRequired Infrastructure & Teaching MaterialsPrinterRequired Infrastructure & Teaching MaterialsWorksheetsRequired Infrastructure & Teaching Materials

Activity 1

Duration30 minutes

Activity Instruction

1. Introduction, theoretical input

2. Briefly recap the fishing game

3. Learners can recall the rules and outcomes of the fishing game

4. Learners can identify what happened when resources were overused

5. Learners describe what happens when we overfish

Theoretical Input with worksheet

a) Learners can define what cod are (biology, habitat, role in the ecosystem).

b) Learners can summarize the causes of the collapse (e.g., overfishing, ineffective regulation, economic pressure).

c) Learners can outline the ecological and economic consequences of the collapse.

d) Learners compare the collapse graph to their own graphs from the candy game.

e) Learners can compare the cod stock collapse graph to their own candy game results, identifying patterns and parallels.

Activity 1 (SciLMified)

Duration30; 40; 40; 30

Activity 2

Duration40 minutes
Sources & Materials
Material Sources

Yes

Resource Type

Yes; Yes

App

Activity 2 (SciLMified)

Duration40 minutesSuggested Social FormGroup work

Activity Instruction

1. & 2. Reading card & personal reflection

Learners reflect on the stakeholder's viewpoint by answering: What matters to me? What actions do I support or oppose? What outcomes do I hope for?

3. & 4. Discussion in group

Learners discuss with their group which points are most relevant and which arguments are strongest. They decide together which policies to propose, support, or oppose.

5. & 6. Further development of arguments

Learners use both the information from the QR source and their prior class knowledge to develop arguments that fit their assigned role. They connect real world issues, such as sustainability, regulations, and the economy, to their stakeholder's position and justify their recommendations using evidence and stakeholder reasoning.

7. Preparation of poster and presentation

Learners design a visual poster that communicates their proposal clearly and persuasively. They also prepare to present their proposal to the rest of the class.

Student Output Form

Text; Oral presentation; Visualisation (e.g. poster, infographic, mind map, diagramme, etc.)

Sources & Materials
Material Sources

Yes; Yes

Resource Type

Yes; Yes

App

Activity 3

Duration30 minutes

Activity Instruction

Part 1: Stakeholder Presentations (approx. 15 minutes)

Objective: Each group clearly communicates and justifies their position to a mock government panel.

Learners will:

1. Explain what matters most to them as a stakeholder.

2. Summarize and justify the actions they support or oppose.

3. Present their policy proposals in a persuasive way using evidence.

Part 2: Stakeholder Discussion / Government Hearing (approx. 15 minutes)

Objective: Learners engage in a structured role play discussion where they debate, analyze, and propose common solutions.

Learners will:

1. Compare different stakeholder positions.

2. Critique conflicting proposals respectfully.

3. Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different policies.

4. Negotiate compromises and propose a balanced, shared solution.