3 Films that Fight for the Conservation of the Marine Environment
Since The End of the Line came out in 2009 there has been an increase in documentary film production about the marine environment.
These projects are not just films, they are a starting point for wider campaigns and have already had a huge impact on our society and politicians.
Imagine an ocean without fish. Imagine your meals without seafood. Imagine the global consequences. This is the future if we do not stop, think and act.
The End of the Line, the first major feature documentary film revealing the impact of overfishing on our oceans, had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in the World Cinema Documentary Competition.
In the film we see firsthand the effects of our global love affair with fish as food. It examines the imminent extinction of bluefin tuna, brought on by increasing western demand for sushi; the impact on marine life resulting in huge overpopulation of jellyfish; and the profound implications of a future world with no fish that would bring certain mass starvation.
Filmed over two years, The End of the Line follows the investigative reporter Charles Clover as he confronts politicians and celebrity restaurateurs, who exhibit little regard for the damage they are doing to the oceans. One of his allies is the former tuna farmer turned whistleblower Roberto Mielgo – on the trail of those destroying the world's magnificent bluefin tuna population.
Filmed across the world – from the Straits of Gibraltar to the coasts of Senegal and Alaska to the Tokyo fish market – featuring top scientists, indigenous fishermen and fisheries enforcement officials, The End of the Line is a wake-up call to the world. To get involved you can join their campaign at endoftheline.com/campaign
Academy Award Winner for Best Documentary of 2009, The Cove follows an elite team of activists, filmmakers and freedivers as they embark on a covert mission to penetrate a remote and hidden cove in Taiji, Japan, shining a light on a dark and deadly secret.
Utilizing state-of-the-art techniques, including hidden microphones and cameras in fake rocks, the team uncovers how this small seaside village serves as a horrifying microcosm of massive ecological crimes happening worldwide.
The result is a provocative mix of investigative journalism, eco-adventure and arresting imagery, adding up to an unforgettable story that has inspired audiences worldwide to action.
Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall embarks on a new campaign to save our fishies in this three-part special for Channel 4's Fish Season.
Hoping to raise awareness of diminishing fish stocks, Hugh works to find a solution to this global problem. Scientists believe that if action isn't taken soon, certain sea favourites may be non-existent for future generations.
Focusing on the three species most widely consumed in the UK – cod, salmon and tuna – Hugh leaves no stone unturned in his mission to understand what is happening to the British fishing industry. In the process he is horrified to learn that up to half of all fish caught in the North Sea are thrown back dead. Hugh also investigates the supermarkets' claims - what exactly does 'protecting the marine environment' mean?
Determined to help conserve fish stocks, Hugh launches an online campaign which you can all sign up to, and takes on the supermarkets, the politicians, and the public in one almighty Fish Fight. Go to fishfight.net to get involved!
SANDGRAINS - The Next One
Sandgrains, the new documentary by Matchbox Media Collective, is the next big project that will push the campaign for the conservation of our oceans.
