18.
Four years ago,a lobster(龙虾)fisherman,Gary Nichols,had never seen a lionfish,but today his traps are full of them.He catches so many lionfish now that he's started to sell them.While his lobsters sell for 16perkilogram,lionfish only make him﹩12.Lionfish are causing a great concern on his business and the commercial fishing industry in Florida,threatening other fish populations-in some cases reducing them by up to 90%.
Lionfish are native to the Indian and Pacific Oceans,but were accidentally introduced into Atlantic and Caribbean waters during the 1990s.With no natural enemies in the Atlantic and an ability to reproduce year-round,plus the favorable environment,their numbers have been rising in recent years.
Not only are lionfish causing losses to lobster fishermen like Nichols,they are also threatening the balance of the fragile ecosystem.
"Lionfish are eating almost anything that fits in their mouths."says Lad Akins,director of REEF,a marine conservation group."Some are commercially valuable fishes,like grouper and snapper that the fishermen depend on.Lionfish even could result in the extinction of some fish."
In an effort to solve the problem,REEF runs a monthly contest,awarding prizes to those who catch the most lionfish.It also runs workshops educating divers about safe collection and removal techniques.Many volunteers have also joined the fight with a campaign that encourages people to eat lionfish.
"If we can't beat them,let's eat them!"said Michelle Kosiek,the manager of the Fish House Encore,which has been serving lionfish for the past 18months."There is a little bit of fear factor eating them.In fact,those who tried it have spoken well of it."
25.The story of Gary Nichols shows thatA.
A.the overpopulated lionfish are affecting Florida fishermen
B.1obsters are disappearing in the waters near Florida
C.it is hard for a fisherman to make a living by selling lobsters
D.1ionfish have brought the Florida fishermen's income down by 90%
26.What factors contribute to the fast increase of the lionfish population?B
a.They are native to the Atlantic and Caribbean waters.
b.They have no natural enemies in Atlantic.
c.They are able to lay eggs non-stop every year.
d.The waters in Florida are suitable for their existence.
e.Some people introduced them there on purpose.
A.a,b,c B.b,c,d C.c,d,e D.a,d,e
27.Lad Akins considers the non-native lionfish asD.
A.a new source of economic increase
B.a positive promoter to the ecology of Florida waters
C.a chance to make Florida fish species diverse
D.a disaster both commercially and ecologically
28.In the fight against lionfish,Michelle Kosiek is helpful inA.
A.encouraging people to eat them
B.teaching divers removal techniques
C.making a collection of lionfish
D.awarding prizes to lionfish catchers.