Study Guide
Grades 10-12, College, Adult
Directed by Steve Cowan and Barry Schienberg
Produced by Habitat Media
DVD Purchase $79, Rent $45
US Release Date: 2004
Copyright Date: 2004
DVD ISBN: 1-59458-058-8
VHS ISBN: 1-59458-057-X
Subjects
Agriculture
Anthropology
Canadian Studies
Developing World
Endangered Species
Environment
Fisheries
Food And Nutrition
Geography
Global Issues
Globalization
Health
Humanities
Hunger
Latin American Studies
Life Science
Marine Biology
Natural Resources
Oceans and Coasts
Science
Technology
Society
Sustainable Agriculture
Wildlife
Awards and Festivals
The Chris Award, Columbus International Film & Video Festival
Best Independent Film & Best Marine Conservation Message, International Wildlife Film Festival, Missoula
CINE Golden Eagle Award
Best Documentary, Environmental Media Awards
United Nations Association Film Festival
Vermont International Film Festival
Environmental Film Festival in the Nation's Capital
The Green Festival, Washington DC
PINE Film Festival, Portland, OR
Plymouth Independent Film Festival
San Francisco Ocean Film Festival
"Stories from the Field" United Nations Documentary Film Festival
Hazel Wolf Environmental Film Festival
Far North Conservation Film Festival
The perils and promise of fish farms in a world running out of ocean fish stocks.
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"Well-crafted and important environmental documentary that combines superb research, production values and journalism." David L. Brown, City College of San Francisco |
Aquaculture was intended to take the pressure off ocean fish stocks and help avert a global food shortage, but many experts now believe that some forms of "fish farming" are actually creating more problems than they're solving... and time is running out.
The sequel to the award-winning PBS Special EMPTY OCEANS, EMPTY NETS, FARMING THE SEAS explores what's at stake for us all. As the aquaculture industry explodes across the globe, a growing number of communities and fisheries experts are engaged in an intense debate over its environmental, socio-economic, and health and food safety consequences.
Market demand for seafood now far exceeds the ocean's ability to keep pace, and the crisis is deepening. Worldwide, most marine fisheries are either fully exploited or in sharp decline. With stunning visuals and compelling narration, FARMING THE SEAS journeys around the world documenting the most important stories as they unfold. From the indigenous tribes of British Columbia to the large-scale operations of multinational corporations, from Mediterranean fishermen to Thai shrimp farmers, FARMING THE SEAS gathers perspectives from around the globe as it examines the problems and the promises of this emerging industry.
The viability of the global food chain and the sustainability of our oceans' fisheries hang in the balance.
Reviews
"Well-crafted and important environmental documentary that combines superb research, production values and journalism...My students were educated, entertained, and inspired."
"Excellent footage of aquaculture operations...It is easy to see why Farming the Seas won the award for Best Marine Conservation Message at the International Wildlife Film Festival and a host of other awards as well. It is well researched, well edited and a timely and interesting look at the potential problems associated with aquaculture. I highly recommend this video to all libraries."
"An outstanding job is done in contrasting the farming of [salmon, shrimp, and tuna] with the more sustainable Chinese practice of raising non-predatory fish and shellfish... The narration by Peter Coyote is excellent. Numerous short interviews effectively feature both advocates and opponents of aquaculture enterprises, including indigenous people, scientists, and industry representatives. With adequate background information provided prior to viewing, the program would be suitable for students in ninth grade and above."