As compelling as Netflix’s new “Seaspiracy” documentary is, the issues raised in it regarding commercial fishing aren’t quite that cut-and-dried, according to the folks at Oceana.
The ocean advocacy organization issued a statement when the film was released on March 24th. It reads:
“Today, Netflix released a new movie titled Seaspiracy that features passing references to Oceana and a brief excerpt from what was a two-hour interview with a former employee, who was one of Oceana’s key leaders in winning policy victories against illegal fishing.
“To set the record straight, what Oceana campaigns for and focuses on is increasing ocean abundance through policy victories that put in place science-based fisheries management in national waters, where most of the world’s fish are caught. We are already campaigning in countries that account for 28% of the world’s catch. The science is clear: This country-by-country approach can help the oceans rebound dramatically and feed a billion people a healthy seafood meal each day. We can save the oceans and feed the world.
“We believe people have the right to choose what they eat, and we applaud those who make personal choices to improve the health of our planet. However, choosing to abstain from consuming seafood is not a realistic choice for the hundreds of millions of people around the world who depend on coastal fisheries – many of whom are also facing poverty, hunger, and malnutrition. Oceana campaigns to save the oceans for both the people who depend on them and to protect the marine animals (and other forms of life) who live in them.
“Additionally, we strongly believe that we can be most effective by working together to win policy victories that help to save the oceans and feed the world (rather than by influencing personal choice). Our campaigns have successfully made real progress toward addressing the issues depicted in the documentary – including stopping bycatch, overfishing, illegal fishing, habitat destruction, biodiversity loss, plastic pollution, and offshore oil drilling, among others. We have – with our allies – secured more than 225 policy victories that have profoundly strengthened the health and biodiversity of our oceans and have helped to protect nearly 4 million square miles of ocean.
“We look forward to, with the support of fishing communities, allies, and our more than 5 million supporters, winning many more victories and helping to save the oceans and feed the world.”
Oceana also released a bunch of frequently asked questions regarding the documentary. You can find them here.
You can watch the trailer for “Seapiracy” documentary below.
