Biologists have long been concerned about the danger posed to albatros

Question

Biologists have long been concerned about the danger posed to albatross populations from large fishing fleets, since discarded fish from the fleets attract albatrosses, which then are often killed by net cables and other fishing equipment. This not only directly lowers adult populations but, in general, also lowers populations of chicks being raised by adults. However, studies have shown that in some cases the presence of fishing fleets boosts the number of albatross chicks that survive to the age when they can fly and find their own food.

Which of the following, if true, would most contribute to an explanation of this state of affairs?

A. Birds that prey on albatross chicks have an alternative food source in the fish discarded by fishing fleets.
B. Some organizations have advocated that fishing fleets be required to install equipment that minimizes their impact on seabirds.
C. Conservation groups run albatross breeding programs in several areas, including some where fishing fleets operate.
D. It takes about one year after hatching for albatross chicks to develop the ability to fly.
E. Adult albatrosses typically return to the place they were raised in order to breed and raise chicks.

Source: topgmat

Abhishekrao12 · Accepted Answer

Objective : We need to explain why the presence of fishing fleets boasts the no of chicks even though the presence of fishing fleet also kills the albatross birds.

Passage says that the presence of fishing fleets boasts the number of chicks.

Option C tells us that the breeding program is trying to boast the no of chicks. It also mentions that the program is carried out even in areas where the fishing fleets are available. Option C explains only how breeding program is trying to boast the number but does not mention how the fishing fleet boasts the number. Since this is not our objective, we can eliminate this option.

Option A , on the other hand, tells us that fishing fleet provides a different source of prey for the birds that usually prey on the chicks. So A is the correct answer.

Rohan30 · Answer

Isn't A a bit far- fetched to be the answer?

Posted from my mobile device

deepanjan0612 · Answer

But isnt the conservation program happening because of the fishing fleets?

EnglishAgast · Answer

KarishmaB  /  ChiranjeevSingh  /  AjiteshArun

Hello Experts, pls could you help explain the approach to consider (A) over (C) ? Thank you!

HenryHai · Answer

Hi,
(A) and (C) are contenders in answering this question.
for (A): if this answer is yes, the population of albatross will be less reduced because their predators already had another food source, which is discarded fishes from fleets. On the other hand, if this answer is no, albatross is still the main food of the bird, prompting to diminish gradually the albatross population.

for (C): this answer is ruled out because even the conservation group is breeding albatross and creating more potential living environments for this species, we are not pretty sure about whether this program will be successful or not. We have little information about the breeding program.

=> That's why (A) will be a winner

VerbalBot · Answer

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Biologists have long been concerned about the danger posed to albatros

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