Question

The Alaska Fisheries Department is trying to establish a sustainable method of harvesting the crab species that live in their waters. Which question could be asked to provide important empirically-based evidence that could be used to establish the plan?
How long does it take for the crabs to eat their prey?
How much money do crab fishermen get for each haul of the crabs?
What habitats do the crabs hide in during the summer months?
What is the reproductive success rate among the various crab species?

Answer 1

The correct answer is: What is the reproductive success rate among the various crab species?

By asking this question and investigating it further the fishermen can determine the rate of population increase by generation.
When they know how many successful reproductions and new offspring are produced each year they can adjust their harvest rates. By adjusting their harvest rates to the growth of the population the fishermen can keep harvesting crabs without the risk of overfishing and drastic decline in the populations. This will ensure that they can harvest crabs sustainably for many, many years.