Create groups of four players each. Give each player a score sheet. Each person in the group fishes for swordfish in the same ocean. Give an envelope filled with fish (40 cut-out fish) to the banker (“Nature”) in each player group. The banker places 20 fish in the center of the table. Twenty fish is the carrying capacity of this ocean for swordfish.

There are up to 10 rounds of play, each person can fish a certain number of swordfish per turn in the following ways:

1. Harpoon fishing: take a fish.
2. Long-line fishing: take two fish.
3. Free-for-all long-line fishing: take three fish.

After each round when all players have taken their fish, the banker will count the number of swordfish and add 25% to the pot, up to a maximum of 20 fish (round up).

Example: if there are 12 fish left, 3 fish (25% of 12) are added to the pot, bringing the total to 15. (In real life, swordfish produce far less than 25% new offspring each year – they are like humans in that they have few offspring over the course of their lives.) The added fish represent the number of baby swordfish produced by the swordfish remaining after everyone has caught their fish. The goal is to have as many fish as possible after playing all 10 rounds.

Game Instructions:

Game 1: Everyone chooses a fishing technique at the beginning of the game and continues to use it until the end of the game.

Game 2: Everyone chooses a fishing technique, but can change techniques each turn during the game.

Game 3: Everyone is a harpoon fisherman and cannot take more than one fish in each round.

Game 4: Everyone chooses a fishing technique, but can change techniques each turn during the game. At the end of each round, add 10% instead of 25%. (Still do not exceed the maximum of 20 fish)