IELTS Essays,
Letters, Graphs, Diagrams & Maps
57 4- The graph shows the rate of fish catches in the USA and Canada over a period of 30 years. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Annual Fish Catch: North America 0
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1972
1974
1976
1978
1980
1982
1984
1986
1988
1990
1992
1994
1996
1998
2000
M ill ions of tonne s US
Canada
The graph shows changes in fish catches for the US and Canada over the last
30 years. The most significant feature is that fish catches have declined
drastically in both the US and Canada since the mid-1980s. Although
Canadian production is much lower, it echoes US figures, declining or
increasing at the same rate.
Between 1972 and 1977, US fish catches averaged between 2.5 and 2.75
million tonnes per year, while Canadian landings fluctuated between 800,000
and 1.1 million tonnes. In 1997, however, there was a big increase in fish
caught in the US, and this rise continued up to a peak of 5.5 million tonnes in
1987. During the same period, Canada's catch increased from 1 million
tonnes to 1.5 million tonnes, an increase of 50%.
From 1987 onwards, there was a sudden decline in both countries. US figures
tumbled to 4 million tonnes in 1995, a drop of 28%, and Canadian catches
plunged to 0.5 million tonnes, a drop of 66%. In the following four years, US
catches fluctuated around the 4 million tonne mark, while Canadian catches
rose very slightly.
In general, both Canadian and the much larger US catch have declined
dramatically since their peak in the mid-1980s.
(202 words)
