Students learn about shark crisis
The magic of moviemakers to portray sharks as a fierce enemy of humans has haunted mankind for many years. But Laboratory students learned Wednesday that there’s another side to sharks.
While watching the very detailed documentary, Sharkwater, students learned that the perceived roles of man and sharks have switched dramatically: man has become the predator and sharks have become the prey.
The documentary film was shown as part of the Laboratory’s Sustainability Challenge sponsored by the Risk Reduction Office (ENV-RRO).
Filmed in the marine reserves of Cocos Island, Costa Rica and the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, the film allowed viewers to follow former wildlife photographer Rob Stewart as he documented the shark finning industry. According to Sharkwater, shark finning is the removal of shark fins and the discarding of the carcass at sea. The shark is most often still alive when it is tossed back into the water. Unable to swim, the shark slowly sinks to the ocean floor where it is likely eaten alive by other fish.
Through the documentary, Stewart attempts to offer the viewer some insight into the world of sharks. As he swims amongst the sharks, with and without protection, viewers see the true nature of sharks to be that of a very shy and intelligent fish. His passion for sharks is evident, and Stewart succeeds in persuading viewers that sharks are a necessary and precious component to the survival of man and all living things on Earth.
Students left the screening with a new perspective on sharks. "I had no idea we depended on them so much as a critical part of the ecosystem,” Angelica Gurule of Risk Reduction said. “People often don’t think of the impact they have on the environment, especially the ocean.”
Other students said the film was effective and inspiring. Larry Ortiz of Desktop Support and Software Distribution (CTN-2), and Krystle Trujillo of Design Engineering (ES-DE) agreed that the film was “intense” and would recommend it to anyone.
“The film was of sufficient quality to inspire action,” added student Jeffrey Perkins of Applied Modern Physics (P-21).
According to the Sharkwater Web site, shark finning has increased over the past decade due to the increasing demand for shark fins (for shark fin soup and traditional cures), improved fishing technology, and improved market economics. Shark specialists estimate that 100 million sharks are killed annually for their fins.
More about the film is here.
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