Final answer:
The fish population in the fishery is modeled by the linear equation y = 40x + 1250, where x represents each season and y is the fish population, making the correct answer a) y = 40x + 1250.
Step-by-step explanation:
To model the fish population y in a fishery with a linear growth rate of 40 new fish each season x and an initial population of 1250 fish, we use the general equation of a line, y = mx + b, where m is the slope representing the growth rate and b is the y-intercept representing the initial quantity.
Given that each season there is an increase of 40 fish, this would be our slope (m=40). The initial population of 1250 fish represents our y-intercept (b=1250). Thus, the equation to model the fish population would be:
y = 40x + 1250
Therefore, the correct answer is a) y = 40x + 1250.