Imagine a World Without Fish: A new documentary about global fisheries

World Oceans Day is on June 8 and coincides with the release of an extraordinary new film. The End of the Line is a documentary based on a book of the same name by award winning English environmental journalist Charles Clover. Ted Danson narrates this important feature, which earned a rare standing ovation at Sundance in January.

"Imagine a world without fish." This dire proposal informs an exploration of the deteriorating state of fisheries around the world. The film debuts in June throughout England and the United States. With vivid footage filmed in and above the sea, the movie promises to be "An Inconvenient Truth" about the ocean on which we depend for so much.

In the book, Clover thoroughly investigates all aspects of the fishing industry. He examines successes and failures of fishery regulation, political issues which govern the fishing industries--and fishing industries which govern political issues!--and the environmental ramifications of fishery collapse, which he describes as "a human health issue."

He considers the irony of technological advances. On land technology often increases the resources which humans can then harvest, whereas in the sea, every technological advance further depletes the resources on which we depend.

One of the many astonishing facts he shares: only about 10% of marine animals destroyed in the fishing industry are actually marketed and consumed. The remaining 90% are bycatch: dumped dead or dying into the sea, or turned into fertilizer, pet food and fish food.

Check the website to view a brief trailer and get for information on screenings. There is also information on fisheries, organizations and guidelines to sustainable seafood consumption.