Final answer:
The North Atlantic Drift has a significant impact on the fishing industry in north-western Europe. It brings warm water and creates favorable conditions for fish species. However, overfishing and environmental changes have negatively affected fish populations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The North Atlantic Drift, a warm ocean current, has a significant impact on the fishing industry in north-western Europe. The current brings warm water from the Gulf Stream to the region, creating more favorable conditions for fish species such as cod and mackerel. This leads to higher fish populations and supports a thriving fishing industry.
However, changes in the environment, overfishing, and industrialization have affected the fish populations in the North Atlantic. Acid rain from industrialization has caused damage to both forests and fish populations in northern Europe, including the Atlantic fisheries. Overfishing and changes in the environment have put certain fish species at risk, which has negative consequences for the fishing industry.
Efforts have been made to manage and regulate fisheries in Europe, particularly through the Common Fisheries Policy. However, the effectiveness of these regulations is still being assessed, with some cod stocks not rebounding as expected. Overall, the North Atlantic Drift has both positive and negative impacts on the fishing industry in north-western Europe.