South Africa: Draining the Seas 2001
Distributed by Chip Taylor Communications, 2 East View Drive, Derry, New Hampshire, 03038-4812, 603-434-9262 or 800-876-CHIP
Produced by Journeyman Pictures
Director n/a
VHS, color, 30 min.
Jr. High - Adult
Environmental Studies
Date Entered: 11/09/2018
Reviewed by Geetha Yapa , University of California, RiversideThe video covers the story of uncontrolled pirate fishing for toothfish in the Southern Ocean off the coast of South Africa and the rush against time to save the toothfish industry and the ecosystem.
It is a good resource for those who are interested in fishing and marine ecology, as it provides a detailed account of the Patagonian toothfish industry and describes the effects of illegal fishing on the industry as well as the environment. The video also provides a brief introduction to the biology of toothfish, its economic importance and the geography of toothfish industry.
The film provides a very broad picture of the industry and related environmental issues by combining interviews with world experts on toothfish, South African observers, a Greenpeace team, conservation experts and Maritime legal experts. The film illustrates the difficulties in controlling international fishing. Also includes reports on pirate vessel sightings, their absolute disregard for the law as they continue to fish in areas under the management of CCAMLR (Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic Marine Living Resources), and the role of Mauritius as a major port of landings for pirate caught toothfish. Although the producers have tried to conclude with a brief discussion about solutions to the problem of the illegal toothfish industry, the solutions are not very detailed or clear. It appears that too much time is devoted to describing the problem rather than finding solutions.
Overall, this is a very good study about the pirate fishing of toothfish and its impact on the fishing industry and the environment. South Africa: Draining the Sea is recommended for college and university collections with collection areas in Marine / Fisheries Sciences and Environment.
Additional information about the topic could be found at the following web sites: http://www.greenpeace.org/~oceans/southernoceans/expedition2000/expedition/index.html http://isofish.org.au/backg/toothfish.htm http://environmentalaction.net/antarctica/toothfish/