Western Morning News (Saturday)
Defending local fisheries from Seaspiracy claims
A fishing company has hit back at claims in the hard-hitting documentary Seaspiracy, writes
IT’S the controversial documentary that’s been making waves across the globe. Seaspiracy, a hard-hitting production for Netflix, is a brutal and unflinching portrayal of the state of the oceans.
It contains distressing, often bloody footage of animal cruelty, scenes of environmental devastation, accounts of human rights abuse and some highly disturbing claims about the future of the ocean and the planet as a whole. Perhaps most shocking of all is the assertion that in 27 years’ time the seas will be empty of fish – threatening our own extinction. The alleged culprit: the fishing industry.
The documentary, which is currently in Netflix’s top 10 most popular films and TV, is narrated and directed by British filmmaker, Ali Tabriz, who says: “If current fishing trends continue, we will see virtually empty oceans by the year 2048.”
Since Seaspiracy’s release, viewers have taken to Twitter expressing their horror at the collateral damage caused by industrial fishing and pledging to stop eating fish.
However, opinion is polarised. Critics of the documentary say many of its claims are misleading, or based on out of date studies.
One such critic is Martyn Youell, head of fisheries at Waterdance, a fishing company based in east Devon. The company has more than 20 vessels, from inshore fishing boats around exmouth to trawlers in Brixham, which bring in a variety of species, including hake, pollack, sole, monkfish, crabs and lobsters. Most of the catch is sold at Brixham Fish Market and supplies are also sent to Greendale farm shop, near exeter.
Youell believes that Seaspiracy oversimplifies a complex issue and says that many fishing companies are in fact practising sustainable catching methods.
“There are absolutely sustainable fisheries, as established by years of scientific research and evidence of fish stocks replenishing at rates greater than the amount harvested by fishing. For example, a UN report in 2020 found that 79% of wild seafood is sustainable.
“Here in the South West we have the MSC sustainability label on hake caught by fixed nets and are pursuing further accreditations on monkfish, sole and plaice. The process to achieve the MSC label is rigorous and independently assessed so consumers can feel confident about their choices.
Eating South West wild fish is lowcarbon, has proven health benefits and supports local communities MARTYN YOUELL
“At Waterdance we regularly host government scientists on board our vessels to carry out research at sea, including minimising unwanted catches.”
In addition, Youell argues that fishing has far-reaching benefits for Devon and its population. “eating South West wild fish is a low-carbon, low food miles option that has proven health benefits and supports local communities. Fishing communities are at the heart of the history and identity of the South West. Fishing provides well paid employment in areas where other opportunities are often limited.
“A Seafish report showed that for every sea-going fishing job, there are three jobs supported on land, in fish transport, processing, restaurants and retail. One of our skippers put it best when he said, ‘I’m the person most passionate about sustainable fishing because my livelihood depends on it’.”
However, while Youell believes Seaspiracy represents an ‘extremist’ view “which ignores the positive work done by UK fishers to maintain healthy fish stocks”, he does acknowledge that the film highlights poor practices elsewhere and says: “If this leads to actions to correct those practices then that is a good thing.”
According to Seaspiracy, tens of millions of sharks are killed each year and at least 300,000 whales and dolphins are killed every year as bycatch, with many more are being hunted down. The film also focusses on the threat to bluefin tuna as a result of overfishing.
However, there are signs that in some areas, things are improving. According to recent research led by Cefas and the University of exeter, Atlantic bluefin tuna have returned to UK waters and can once again be seen during the summer and autumn months.
Following a long period of absence linked to population decline, their numbers appear to be increasing. Nearly 1,000 unique observations were recorded between 2013 and 2018 by citizen scientists, scientists, fishers and eco-tour leaders.
Lead author Tom Horton, of the University of exeter, says: “This is a really exciting study and the return of these fish suggest an important role in the UK’s ecosystem.
“We need to work together to ensure a future for Atlantic bluefin tuna, both in the UK and Ireland and more broadly throughout their range in the Atlantic Ocean.”
Perhaps Seaspiracy’s dire predictions can be averted. The ripples created by this alarming documentary look set to continue around the globe. And while fishing communities in Devon are keen to distance themselves from many of the claims made in the film, it does highlight known problems in the wider ocean, including the need to better protect marine life.