Bens+Film+Annotation+4

Ben Clemence, Annotation #4 October 13, 2011 End of the Line Word Count: 1115


 * Title**: End of the Line
 * Director**: Rupert Murray
 * Released**: 2009


 * What is the central argument or narrative of the film?**

The main argument of End of the Line focuses on the issue of overfishing. The sheer magnitude of fish that we are able to pull out of the sea has led to the depletion of much of the fish population. Technology has improved and gotten very efficient at gathering fish and removing them from the ocean. Many species of fish are being fished to the brink of extinction.


 * How is the argument or narrative made and sustained? How much scientific information is provided, for example? Does the film have emotional appeal?**

The argument is sustained through several case studies of areas where overfishing has already had significant negative effects on local areas. For example in Newfoundland cod had always been very plentiful and was the source of over 40,000 jobs in the local community. They fished cod to the point where there were so few left in Newfoundland that they could not even recover. When the moratorium was placed on cod, those 40,000 people lost their jobs. There was some scientific information presented but most of the documentary focused on explaining the effects of overfishing and how many disregard the restrictions but on fishing boats. The film does have emotional appeal just based on how absurd the whole industry has become and how many countries are suffering so that there is a large supply of fish for consumption.


 * What sustainability problem does the film draw out?**

The sustainability problem brought out by this film is the depletion of the world’s fish resources. This is caused by companies overfishing and using methods that damage the ocean’s ecosystem. For example trolling the ocean bottom destroys the natural landscape and it the equivalent of plowing seven times per year. Another example is blue fin tuna and the fact that they are being fished out of existence. What is even more surprising is that Mitsubishi has about 60-70 thousand pounds of blue fin in preparation for blue fin to go extinct. They can then sell their reserves for a much higher price.

There are many other issues discussed in this film as well. To name a few, in west Africa stocks have declined massively in the past 50 years. Often undeveloped nations accept money for fishing rights to their area. One tenth of the worlds catch goes back into the water dead. By overfishing certain species they have also disrupted the ecosystem because now there is a lack of predators in the ocean so many of the prey have been allowed to reproduce unchecked.


 * What parts of the film do you find more persuasive and compelling? Why?**

The issue I found most compelling is the regulations set on fishing and how they are not strict enough and they are also neither enforced nor followed. For example the regulation for how much gross weight of fish can be caught was set at two times the level scientists recommended to keep it from crashing and three times the amount to allow for the fish population to recover. Then in addition to setting the regulations much too high, they do not enforce those regulations so boats are able to catch much more than their quota and get away with it.


 * What parts of the film were you not compelled or convinced by? Why?**

The part of the film I was the least convinced by was what they said the result of us continuing to fish the way we are. They claimed that all that would be left in the ocean would be jelly fish, algae, and worms. There would be no larger species left in the entire ocean. This point seemed very extreme and improbable although that does not mean it can’t happen or isn’t true, I just found it hard to believe.


 * What audiences does the film best address? Why?**

The film best addresses those who are unaware of the issue as it provides a good overview of the issue. Many people would benefit by watching this film, especially those in the fishing industry who may not be aware and also restaurants that serve fish.


 * What could have been added to this film to enhance its environmental educational value?**

There could have been more information about what sort of things led up to this huge issue. There were warning signs that this would happen and examples of what overfishing can do to a fish population. A discussion of why the government still refuses to put stricter regulations and enforce them would have been helpful. It would maybe illustrate another example of where corporations have too much sway over politics.


 * What kinds of actions and points of intervention are suggested by the film? If the film itself does not suggests corrective action, describe actions that you can imagine being effective.**

The film illustrates several solutions to the issue of overfishing and makes it clear that this is a problem that can be solved. This solution includes much stricter regulations on fisheries and enforcing those regulations to make sure boats stay within quotas. General consumer awareness is always beneficial in issues such as this. This would include asking restaurants and stores where they get there fish from and if it is an area that is responsible amount how much fish they take. They discussed how fish farms are often viewed as a solution to this problem but they actually just cause more of an issue because of the amount of resources that go it, to be specific feeder fish. It takes five kilograms of anchovy to make one kilogram of salmon in a fish hatchery. It is surprising to learn that 40% of the worlds fish catch it fed to other fish.


 * What additional information has this film compelled you to seek out?**

I was compelled to find out more information about overfishing in general and find more example of where it has had a real impact. One website presented an interesting fact which said that, “on a global scale we have enough fishing capacity to cover at least four Earth like planets” (overfishing.org). They go on to illustrate that not only are we pulling out more fish that the ocean can handle but that we are also doing it in a unsustainable way. A green peace website stated that " more than 70 percent of the world's fisheries are fully exploited, over exploited, or significantly depleted." Based on some of the graphs that the showed in film and how they change over time I would imagine that the number will continue to rise unless something is done to stop it.

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