Miss Kolka

Are you afraid of sharks?

Has it ever occured to you when swimming in the sea that you have no way of knowing what is happening underneath you?
If you are afraid of sharks it is very likely that you have seen the movie JAWS at some point - and if you have, what you should see is Sharkwater.

Sharkwater is a documentary that took 5 years in the making and is not only magnificent in imagery but also very informative and surprising.

Ok I have always been interested in the sea and in the animals living there - having studied biology quite alot I should know one thing or two but this film has open my eyes to probably the most misunderstood animal on the planet. And it has confirmed my belief that sharks are NOT dangerous and that they very rarely attack men.

- made by young filmmaker Rob Stewart from Canada, the film was chosen to open the Jules Verne Adventure film festival in Paris and has won many awards around the globe, and understandably so. It follows the passion of former wildlife photographer Rob (he's only 27!) - his passion for sharks and how he discovers that one of the most money making traffic on earth (after drugs) is the industry of shark fins - mainly off the coast of Costa Rica and Equador. And there is BIG MONEY involved!

The shark - which is the oldest predator on earth - has survived 5 major extinctions and is for the first time an endangered species because of man. Once again we have managed changing things in the ecosystem - not caring about the concequences and without even pausing briefly to think twice. The extinction of sharks could mean that there will be no oxygen left in the athmosphere for us to breath! (read up on your biology or .. GO AND SEE THE FILM)

We have known this for quite some time, that sharks are being heavely fished - and until now not many people have cared - since they aren't as cuddly as Pandas or Tigers and because of the misconception that sharks are dangerous maneaters (hmm compared to Tigers?). But when you see images of these creatures where their fin is cut off and they are thrown back into the sea ALIVE you can't just leave it there. This is happening all over the world and the sea is turning into a giant garbage can.(in an hour around 15.000 sharks are killed, and some in a awful way) Do we think that future generations (if they are going to be any) will thank us for messing up our planet and distroy nature's balance completely? with no water or food left and with most of the species we now know extinct? I don't think so. At least I can't just sit here and watch it happen.

Whatever can be said about this film, that maybe it is a bit long and the writing perhaps repetitive, the images are breathtaking and it is one of the most beautiful animal documentary I have seen - made by someone really talented and clearly passionate, that knows these creatures extremely well and has unusual ease to approche wildlife and capture it on film. Stewert clearly wants to make a difference and get the message out there. Well done! There are also alot of things said in the film that I can't seem to get out of my head.

No government or association has ever truly changed the course of humanity.. only 5-7 % of the population - with some very determined people are needed to make a difference. And you can make a difference. Start by signing the pledge to save the sharks www.savingsharks.com

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