科學家們表示，鯊魚和鰩魚正以 “驚人” 的速度從世界海洋中消失。一項新研究表明，半個多世紀以來，公海海域的鯊魚數(shù)量減少了71% ，導致這個現(xiàn)象的主要原因是過度捕撈。在所有被研究的物種中，有四分之三正面臨滅絕的威脅。

The study found a dramatic decline in sharks and rays found in the open oceans, including hammerheads, mako sharks, and the giant manta ray.

研究發(fā)現(xiàn)，在公海海域發(fā)現(xiàn)的鯊魚和鰩魚數(shù)量急劇下降，其中包括雙髻鯊、灰鯖鯊和雙吻前口蝠鲼。

Since 1970, shark and ray catches have tripled, pushing many species to the brink of extinction.

自1970年以來，鯊魚和鰩魚的捕捉量增加了兩倍，這將許多物種推向了滅絕的邊緣。

The scientists say overfishing of sharks and rays jeopardises the health of entire ocean ecosystems, as well as food security for some of the world's poorest countries. 

科學家們說，過度捕撈鯊魚和鰩魚危害整個海洋生態(tài)系統(tǒng)的健康，同時危及世界上一些最貧窮國家的糧食安全。

They're calling on governments to set science-based fishing limits to secure a brighter future for these extraordinary animals.

科學家們呼吁政府制定有科學依據(jù)的捕撈上限，以確保這些神奇非凡的動物能有一個更光明美好的未來。

詞匯表

hammerheads 雙髻鯊，錘頭鯊
mako sharks 灰鯖鯊
the giant manta ray 雙吻前口蝠鲼
catches 捕獲量
overfishing 過度捕撈
jeopardises 危及，損害
ecosystems 生態(tài)系統(tǒng)
food security 糧食安全
science-based 有科學依據(jù)的，以科學為基礎的
secure 保護，保衛(wèi)

閱讀理解：請在讀完上文后，回答下列問題。

1. True or false? There are three times as many shark and ray catches as there were in 1970.

2. Name two shark and/or ray species found in the open oceans which have seen a dramatic decline.

3. What does overfishing of sharks and rays threaten, according to the scientists?

4. What do scientists think governments should do to secure a brighter future for these animals?

答案

1. True or false? There are three times as many shark and ray catches as there were in 1970.
True. Since 1970, shark and ray catches have tripled (become three times as many).

2. Name two shark and/or ray species found in the open oceans which have seen a dramatic decline.
Any two of the following: hammerheads, mako sharks, and the giant manta ray.

3. What does overfishing of sharks and rays threaten, according to the scientists?
The scientists say it jeopardises the health of entire ocean ecosystems, as well as food security for some of the world's poorest countries.

4. What do scientists think governments should do to secure a brighter future for these animals?
They think governments should set science-based fishing limits.