Hand each copepod an empty bag. Instruct the class that you will be scattering phytoplankton around the area. Then they should turn their backs to you as you distribute the phytoplankton around the large open space. Ask the class to face you. At the end of 20 seconds the copepods should stop collecting phytoplankton.
Copepods try to jump away from the herring.
Stop the game when one seal tags three herring. Have the seals, herring and copepods that did not catch enough food stand in three separate areas. Have the herring and copepods that were food for their predators stand in two separate areas. Discuss what conclusions can be learned from this activity. It takes a lot of phytoplankton to support very few top predators.