(合乙乙共，6数非)春可第
Whale sharks in Indonesia are suffering widespread injuries,with a majority scarred by human
activity.Researchers found bagans()and boats to be the biggest threats,especially as shark tourism
grows.Protecting these gentle giants may be as simple as redesigning fishing gear and boat equipment.
Whale sharks,the largest living fish species,are classified as endangered on the IUCN Red List of
Threatened Species.Over the past 75 years,their populations have declined by more than50%
worldwide,and by up to 63%in the Indo-Pacific region.Because whale sharks take up to 30 years to
become sexually mature,populations can only recover slowly from threats like hunting for fins,meat,
and oil,habitat loss,and entanglement in fishing nets.
Now,an intemnational group of researchers has shown that in the Bird's Head Seascape off
Indonesian West Papua,62%of whale sharks have scars and injuries from preventable human causes.
"We found that scars and injuries were mainly from anthropogenic()causes,such as collisions
withbagansuaditional fishing platforms with lift nets,and whale shark-watching tour boats,"said Dr
Edy Setyawan,the lead conservation scientist at the Elasmobranch Institute Indonesia,and the study's
corresponding author.
Between 2010 and 2023,Setyawan and colleagues observed a total of 268 unique whale sharks,of
which9%were sighted in Cenderawasih Bay and Kaimana,two renowned tourist attractions located in
West Papua,Indonesia."Since the majority of the whale shark sightings took place at bagans,at a time
when whale shark tourism is growing,we expect the risk of injuries from bagans and boats to increase in
the futureunless simple steps are taken to protect the whale sharks better,added Dr Edy Setyawan.
The research team recommends working with the management authorities to develop regulations
requiring slight modifications to the bagans,such as removing sharp edges from boat outriggers and net frames
They believe these changes will greatly reduce scarring and are a practical first step toward coexistence.
32.What is the primary threat to whale sharks in Indonesia according to the passage
A.Late maturity..英习桥的(iipB.Bagans and boats.,香英号
C.Habitat loss..页T首处卖m0D.Shark tourism.mOe,
33.Which of the following statements might Dr Edy Setyawan agree with
A.Most injuries to whale sharks are avoidable.
B.Whale sharks prefer to stay close with humans.
C.Whale shark tourism in Indonesia should be banned.
D.The number of sighted whale sharks in Indonesia is increasing.
34.Why do the researchers advise to work with management authorities
A.To promote shark tourism.
B.To boost the fishing industry.
C.To study the behavior of whale sharks.
D.To supervise bagan modifications.
35.Which of the following is the best title for the passage
A.Whale Sharks:Gentle Giants of the Sea
B.Saving Whale Sharks from Human Harm
C.Whale Shark Tourism:Prosper or Perish
D.The Disappearing Whale Sharks:Why
英语试题第6页共10页
