End of the Line - Where have all the fish gone?

By Katherine Bond - 18 September 2009

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Currently touring the UK is a hard hitting documentary film called “The End of the Line’ which details the impacts of overfishing in our oceans caused by increasing demand and greed. Based on a book by the journalist Charles Clover and narrated by America Ted Danson, it presents the watcher with yet another reason why we should strive to sustain our planet and take more responsibility for our actions and the repercussions that follow.

The cinematography is brilliant and in parts especially shocking. The extremely fragile species the Blue Fin Tuna is shown being brutally fished in the Straits of Gibraltar. Also computer imagery shows how one of the largest fishing trawler nets used for commercial fishing has the capacity to house as many as seven 747 jumbo jet aeroplanes, destroying the sea bed and leaving fish with nowhere to escape!

Overfishing and the increased demand for a more exotic restaurant menu has had an impact on marine ecology, seeing an increase in jellyfish due to the hunting of larger predatory fish and the near extinction of many species.

Fishing methods have become increasingly vigorous, corporately controlled, illegal and harder to regulate. Fishing has increased globally yet the figures indicate a decrease in catch numbers!

“We are squandering one of our best available resources, a resource that could be completely gone by 2048!” says Clark

However all is not lost! After the world premier of “The End of the Line” took place at the Sundance Festival at the beginning of the year a campaign has started to get people interested in how our oceans are managed, where the fish we eat come from and to demand a change of attitude towards more responsible fishing.

Just like national parks and protected forest areas inland, a small amount of our ocean is being protected too. Designated none fishing areas are being allowed to flourish beneath the surface, especially in the Caribbean, however at less than 1% of the ocean under special care we need to campaign for more!

The film has three messages for consumers, citizens and companies:

“Only eat sustainable seafood”

“Respect the science, cut the fishing fleet”

“For marine protected areas and responsible fishing”

‘The End of the Line’ is a must see! Please watch the trailer below;

www.endoftheline.com

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