Biology Forums - Study Force

The International Whaling Commission (IWC) is an international body set up by the terms of the international Convention for Regulation of Whaling (ICRW) which was signed in Washington, D.C., United States, on 2 December 1946 to "provide for the proper conservation of whale stocks and thus make possible the orderly development of the whaling industry".

In 1982 the IWC adopted a moratorium (ban) on commercial whaling.

1.1) once the ban on whaling had been instituted, the populations of whales increased. Which is the best description of the growth in whales?
A) accelerating growth phase
B) decelerating growth phase
C) equilibrium phase
D) lag phase


Please clarify the answer for this, there is conflicting views.

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It all depends on if one interprets the question from the point of view of what the growth curve looks like just after the ban, or the result of the ban. If one assumes the former then D does make sense, but the question does not specify immediately after the ban...rather the question implies a broader approach to the consequences of the ban...and whale populations are increasing and the lag phase time period is long gone. Hence the choice for accelerating growth (A).

Jeddles, could you provide us an update?

(D) has been acknowledged as an acceptable answer, however, the teacher still remains steadfast in view that (A) is the more appropriate answer.

Thanks, Jeddles.