Question

Which of the following Fisheries and Aquaculture Organization (FAO) areas encompasses the waters surrounding Antarctica?

• A. FAO Area 27
• B. FAO Area 21
• C. FAO Area 51
• D. FAO Area 88

Hint:

Remember that the FAO fishing areas in the 80s denote the Southern Ocean regions:
- Area 88: Pacific, Antarctic.
- Area 48: Atlantic, Antarctic.
- Area 58: Indian Ocean, Antarctic.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
To collect and report global fisheries catch statistics systematically, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has divided the world's oceans into major designated fishing areas.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us identify the regions covered by the given FAO major fishing areas:
1. FAO Area 27: Northeast Atlantic.
2. FAO Area 21: Northwest Atlantic.
3. FAO Area 51: Western Indian Ocean.
4. FAO Area 88: Pacific, Antarctic (covers the Southern Ocean waters surrounding Antarctica in the Pacific sector).
Additionally, FAO Areas 48 (Atlantic, Antarctic) and 58 (Indian Ocean, Antarctic) also cover portions of the Southern Ocean.
Among the options provided, only FAO Area 88 belongs to the Antarctic zone.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The FAO area that encompasses the waters surrounding Antarctica is FAO Area 88.