A Sea Change: The world without fish - is it possible?

8:42 PM Sun 6 Sep 2009 GMT

'A sea change - hard science tells the story' .

The oceans of the world are not only important to sailors and fishermen, but to most people on earth, whether they realise it or not. 'A Sea Change' is a poignant film which tackles the probability of a world without fish should humans continue to act and behave environmentally as we have for the past century.

The feature length documentary produced by Niijii Films, premiered at various venues and time around the world this year, and in many cases it was standing room only. It centres around the concerns of one grandfather for the future for his grandson in such a world.

According to scientists this catastrophe will play out in coming generations unless widespread awareness is raised about ocean acidification, its causes, and how to slow or stop it.

The movie explores the ecological, cultural, and economic effects of this alarming phenomenon. It is the first documentary to focus public attention on this impending but little-known crisis - the side effect of carbon dioxide emissions.

A Sea Change - seagull showing the food chain in operation - .. .

Public concern about the warming of our atmosphere is widespread, while the other half of the global equation - the fate of our oceans and their falling pH - remains virtually unknown in the public domain.

What is conclusively known now is that the pH balance of the oceans has changed dramatically since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution: A 30% increase in acidification. With near unanimity, scientists now agree that the burning of fossil fuels is fundamentally reshaping ocean chemistry.

Experts predict that over the next century, steady increases in carbon dioxide emissions and the continued rise in the acidity of the oceans will cause most of the world's fisheries to experience a total bottom-up collapse--a state that could last for millions of years.

This film broadens the discussion about the dramatic changes in the chemistry of the oceans, and conveys the urgent threat those changes pose to our survival.

The audience learns about ocean acidification as the on-camera guide embarks on a journey to revisit the communities of his childhood including Norway, Alaska and Seattle. Along the way, he meets scientists, activists, entrepreneurs and politicians, all working to research ocean acidification and to take steps to address it.

With its multigenerational and international storylines, coupled with an educational outreach plan and curriculum component, A Sea Change reaches broad audiences.

The accompanying outreach will further address the chemistry and biology of ocean acidification, encourage young people to consider careers in science, and provide specific examples of activities that people can do to make a difference in reducing their personal carbon footprint.

Learn more about the film and view the trailer at www.aseachange.net .

To see where past and future screenings have and will take place, click here , or if your organization would like to host a screening of the movie, please contact Angela Alston at angela@aseachange.net - and tell them that Sail-World sent you!

by Blackwattle Studios