Nice, France (AP) – Eerie underwater chains remain. Soon, chaos ensues. Clouds of mud surge, nets disturb the seabed, and whimsical rays, alongside fish and squid, are thrust from their homes in a chaotic swirl of devastation. This is a bottom trawl at its worst. It’s not CGI. It’s a stark reality. And it’s legal.
“Ocean with David Attenborough” serves as a poignant reminder of the vastness we have yet to explore and the precarious state we’re in. This documentary is both a celebration of marine life and a sobering revelation of how military activities are driving the ocean towards ruin.
British Naturalists and Broadcasting StationsIn 1999, I am reviewing the film with profound personal insight. “Having lived on this planet for nearly a century, I recognize that the most vital place on Earth isn’t the land but the ocean.”
The film encapsulates Attenborough’s journey—an era of unparalleled oceanic discovery—showcasing the stunning beauty of coral reefs, kelp forests, and the deep sea Wanderer in an awe-inspiring and enlightening manner.
However, this isn’t the Attenborough film we grew up watching. The tone of his narrative is more urgent and intricate as the environment spirals. The depiction of unprecedented coral bleaching, dwindling fish stocks, and large-scale exploitation starkly illustrates the ocean’s vulnerability. The film’s power lies not only in what it depicts but in the rarity of witnessing such destruction.
“We’ve altered much of the natural world, so if we don’t depict it, we’ll become complacent,” stated Colin’s co-director. “I’ve never filmed a bottom trawl before, yet it’s happening virtually everywhere.”
Legality aside, he mentions, it often receives funding.
“For far too long, much of the ocean remained invisible,” Field remarked. “Most people fish from small boats departing their local harbors.”
In a heartbreaking scene, unwanted catches are discarded into the lifeless ocean. An estimated 10 million tons (9 million metric tons) of marine life are caught and thrown away each year, with certain bottom trawl fisheries contributing to over half of this waste.
Nevertheless, the sea isn’t merely a slogan. That concluding segment offers a glimpse of what restoration can look like. Under protective measures, kelp forests bounce back, and a massive, vibrant marine life thrives at the world’s largest albatross colony, flourishing within the Papa Hana Umokuakea Marine National Monument in Hawaii. These are not fantasies; they serve as proof of what the ocean can reclaim, given the chance.
Timed with World Oceans Day and the United Nations Marine Conference, the film emerges as a global catalyst for protecting 30% of the oceans by 2030. This target has been approved by over 190 nations. However, currently, only 2.7% of the ocean is effectively shielded from detrimental industrial activities.
The film’s message is clear: today’s regulations fall short at sea. The so-called “protected” areas often are anything but. Banning destructive practices like bottom trawling is not just feasible; it’s imperative.
As always, Attenborough offers a voice of moral clarity. “This could be a transformative moment,” he asserts. The “ocean” gives us reasons to hope that change is necessary and evidence to demand it.
“Ocean” premiered on Saturday on National Geographic in the U.S. and has been streaming worldwide in full on Disney+ since Sunday.
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Follow Annika Hammerschlag on Instagram @ahammergram.
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The Associated Press receives support from the Walton Family Foundation for its water and environmental policy reporting. AP is solely responsible for all content. For complete AP environmental coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment
Source: apnews.com