In recent years shrimp harvests by commercial fishermen in the South A

Question

In recent years shrimp harvests by commercial fishermen in the South Atlantic have declined dramatically in total weight. The decline is due primarily to competition from a growing number of recreational fishermen, who are able to net young shrimp in the estuaries where they mature.

Which of the following regulatory actions would most help increase the weight of shrimp harvests by commercial fishermen?

A. Requiring commercial fishermen to fish in estuaries

B. Limiting the total number of excursions per season for commercial fishermen

C. Requiring recreational fishermen to use large-mesh nets in their fishing

D. Putting an upper limit on the size of the shrimp recreational fishermen are allowed to catch

E. Allowing recreational fishermen to move out of estuaries into the South Atlantic

Bunuel · Accepted Answer

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION

If recreational fishermen were required to use large-mesh nets when fishing, fewer young shrimp would be trapped in those nets (making the reasonable assumptions, of course, that young, immature shrimp are smaller than mature shrimp and that by “large-mesh nets” is meant net with spaces big enough for young shrimp to pass through them). Thus, there is a strong likelihood that such a requirement would help increase commercial shrimp harvests.  This makes C the best answer, and thus the correct answer.

A is incorrect. This requirement is most unlikely to bring relief; if anything, it will exacerbate the problem if commercial fishermen, too, start netting young shrimp. The second answer choice is also incorrect. This requirement would presumably make sense if the problem were caused by commercial fishermen catching too many mature shrimp. But the passage clearly indicates that the main problem is that too many young shrimp are netted before they reach maturity. D is not the correct answer choice. Since the problem lies mainly in the numbers of immature, and thus presumably small, shrimp that recreational fishermen catch, preventing those fishermen from catching large shrimp above a certain size is unlikely to provide an effective solution. The last answer choice is also incorrect. Nothing in the passage suggests that recreational fishermen are not already free to move into the open ocean if they own ocean-going craft. And if they are not already free to move into the open ocean, there is still nothing to suggest that they are interested in doing so in large enough numbers to relieve the over-fishing of young shrimp in estuaries.

redskull1 · Answer

C.Large mesh nets implies they will not be able to catch shrimp at all.So

jackspire · Answer

I am confused in between C & E.
Please help.

redskull1 · Answer

Its not E because allowing and moving are two different things entirely.What if the fisherman stay put..?

Posted from my mobile device

gvij2017 · Answer

C and D are contenders here. 
Now just have a look on D. Putting an upper limit on size of shrimp which they can net may not going to increase in weight of hunted shrimps. Recreational fishermen are increasing, thereby increasing the weight of hunted shrimps. 
Option C recommends to increase the mesh size. This will reduce the caught young shrimps by recreational fisherman. And increase the weight of shrimp caught by commercial fishermen.

I would go with C.

Please let me know if am wrong with explanation.

crimson_noise · Answer

Option C requires the assumption that large mesh nets are large enough for young shrimps to pass through, does GMAT require such prior technical knowledge in CR questions?

egmat · Answer

crimson_noise I like the question- it touches on an important principle about what the GMAT expects you to know in Critical Reasoning questions. The Short Answer: No, you don't need technical fishing knowledge. The concept that larger mesh (bigger holes) allows smaller objects to pass through is common-sense physical reasoning , not specialized knowledge. Why Option C Doesn't Require Technical Knowledge: Think about it this way: You know from everyday experience that: A tennis racket (small holes) won't let a tennis ball through A basketball net (larger holes) lets a basketball pass through This same principle applies here: large-mesh nets = bigger holes = smaller shrimp can escape. Pure logic application that requiring any "technical" external knowledge. What WOULD Be "Too Technical": Here are some examples that come in prior "technical" knowledge that the GMAT would not require you to know, unless specifically mentioned: Specific mesh sizes in millimeters Scientific names of shrimp species Exact shrimp maturation rates Technical fishing regulations I hope clears your doubt

Adit_ · Answer

Bunuel   bb   KarishmaB

Since there is an assumption that the large mesh results in the shrimps escaping, still how does it strengthen that the commercial fishermen will "increase" their weight? 
They are still camping in the South Atlantic and from what I understood the location makes a big difference. From what I got from the argument, fishing at the estuaries definitely possesses an edge compared to the South Atlantic (assuming the tools used and the skillset are comparable, however in this case we are assuming the recreational ones use bigger ones)

There is reasonable doubt to believe that being in South Atlantic is no good right? 
Kindly help me out.

guddo · Answer

Large mesh  helps because it targets the stated cause: recreational fishermen are netting young shrimp in estuaries before they mature. With larger mesh, more young shrimp slip through, so more shrimp survive to grow bigger.

That’s how commercial harvest weight can  increase  even if commercial fishermen still fish in the South Atlantic: they are catching the mature shrimp that would have existed anyway, and now there are more of them (and they are larger) because fewer were removed early.

The argument does not claim the South Atlantic is “no good.” It says the decline is primarily because young shrimp are being taken in estuaries. Fixing that bottleneck raises the supply of mature shrimp available wherever commercial fishermen normally harvest.

KarishmaB · Answer

In the large mesh, the "young" shrimp will not get caught.

Currently the issue is that recreational fishermen and fishing in estuary where the shrimp go to mature. These fishermen and catching "young shrimp" which is still to mature. This would be reducing the shrimp population because if they haven't matured, they haven't produced more shrimp. They are caught before their reproductive cycle and hence the population is declining. If the young are allowed to mature, the population may stabilize. That is why a larger mesh is helpful. In that, the big mature shrimp will get caught, not the young ones.

cledgard · Answer

I get confused with the word "how" . I can't understand the meaning. It seems incorrect crammar. Shouldn't it be "who"? that would make more sense..

Bunuel · Answer

________________________
Fixed the typo. Thank you!!!

In recent years shrimp harvests by commercial fishermen in the South A

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