Seaspiracy: Questions to support content

Brand new to Netflix this month is a documentary that aims to expose unsustainable fishing practices and the threat to oceanic biodiversity from human impact. The movie is long so I have divided it into four sections of around 30 mins . 

Part 1: Introduction section – This section focuses on famous environmental filmmakers, importance of phytoplankton; plastic awareness, whale and dolphin hunting and overall complexity of oceanic food chains 

Video: Beginning to around 16 mins

  1. Have you ever been to visit a dolphinarium or seapark? What do you remember from them?
  2. Do a little research on the following environmental minded public figures the film mentions; what were their areas of expertise, what are they most famous for? Find a quote from them that suits ESS
Sylvia EarleDavid AttenboroughPaul Watson
General info
Picture
Quote
  1. The oceans are home to up to what % of total biodiversity on earth?
  1. What nutrients are excreted from whale poop which can encourage the growth of phytoplankton?
  1. Why can phytoplankton be useful in climate mitigation?
  1. What other form of natural capital service do phytoplankton perform? 

      7. At around 5 mins, the narrator describes the changes he has made in his behaviour to reduce plastic.  What EVS would           this align with?

  1. When did Japan confirm it would resume commercial whale hunting?
  1. What is the name of the organisation whose members have signed a declaration to ban worldwide whaling?
  1. Fishermen in Taiji kill around 700 dolphins and whales a year. What do you think are the reasons for this?
  1. If people try to “elimate other competition” as stated on the video with regards to dolphins competing for fish, how many this impact the actual aquatic ecosystem?
  1. Blue fin tuna is listed as “critically endangered” by the IUCN with only 3% remaining? What can be done to increase these numbers:

Part 2: Shark finning industry; the problem of plastic fishing nets; bycatch, anthropocentric management

From around 16:00mins - to around 34 mins 

  1. How much can one bowl of shark fin soup cost?
  1. Why are sharks so important to to aquatic ecosystems?
  1. What is the relationship between numbers of sea birds and predatory fish?
  1. Half of the sharks killed are done so by “bycatch” - what does this mean?
  1. What are some of the main issues that limit the effectiveness of international initiatives and regulations to limit bycatch?
  1. Sea Shepherd is an example of an non governmental organization, how can their work differ from that of an intergovernmental organization?
  1. What proportion of the plastic in the ocean is discarded fishing nets?
  1. 6 out of 7 sea turtle are either threatened or endangered because of discarded fishing gear.  What percentage is this?
  1. “Plastic Pollution Coalition” takes some criticism in the documentary. Shortly after release of the film, the organisation released a statement which you can read below 

Plastic Pollution Coalition is a project of Earth Island Institute, a 501(c)3, non-profit organization, organized and existing under the laws of California. In the new Netflix film ‘Seaspiracy,’ Plastic Pollution Coalition and other conservation and environmental organizations are misrepresented as businesses funded by the commercial fishing industry. Plastic Pollution Coalition is not funded by Earth Island Institute or working with other projects of Earth Island Institute to support the commercial fishing industry. Plastic Pollution Coalition has a small but mighty staff supporting a growing global alliance of more than 1,200 organizations, businesses, and thought leaders in 75 countries working toward a world free of plastic pollution and its toxic impacts on humans, animals, waterways, oceans, and the environment. Learn more about Plastic Pollution Coalition. Plastic pollutes at every stage of its existence, from extraction, use, and disposal. Plastic Pollution Coalition members who are focused on ocean plastic pollution and in particular, stopping pollution from fishing nets and “ghost gear” include: Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and Greenpeace. We welcome any questions you may have to help address your concerns. You may reach us at editor@plasticpollutioncoalition.org.

 What important steps can you do to make sure you protect yourself against bias, false statements or other issues associated with exploring these sometimes-controversial issues?

Part 3: This section focuses on complexity of the aquatic environment, bottom trawling as a destructive fishing practise, sustainability definitions. 

from around 34 mins – to 60 mins

  1. Fish are important regulators of coral reef health. Explain why.
  1. Commercial fishing is removing vast stocks of fish from the ocean. Explain what tipping point this could lead to?
  1. Why is bottom trawling such a destructive fishing practice?
  1. What are some of the limits of marine protected areas?
  1. Maria - Jose Cornax from Oceana said in the film that it is difficult to define sustainability… what is the ESS definition?

  1. What is a governmental subsidy?
  1. How can NGO’s and GO’s work together to conserve biodiversity?

Part 4: This last section focuses on global issues and fish farming

from about 60 mins - to 1 hour 10 mins

  1. Huge numbers of people rely on fish.  What consequences could a lack of fish cause to ecosystems in land?
  1. What are the main advantages fish farming has over wild capture fisheries?
  1. How much seafood globally comes from fish farms?
  1. Scottish salmon. What are the main environmental impacts of poorly managed fish farms?
  1. What are some of the ecosystem services provided by mangroves;
  1. What percentage of the world’s mangroves have been destroyed by shrimp farming?

Further notes and guidance

Teacher and student discretion: From 1 hr 14 mins there are distressing scenes of a pilot whale hunt in the Faroe Islands - there are no extra questions on this as you may find the scenes too hard to watch - but there is an eloquent argument from a Faroe whaler at the end which is insightful and sobering. There are also arguments for alternatives to fish but beyond the remit of this exercise.

  • Reflection

This film has brought so many different issues surrounding the threats surrounding the oceans and the people that depend on them. How does the study of ESS help you understand the global nature of the problems? 

 

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