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Eco-Doc Bests Bond Thriller by Karl F. Cohen
The feature doc 'Sea of Shadow', shows Jack Hutton and his armed guards trying to protect at-risk fish in Mexico. image: courtesy R. Ladkani
'SEA OF SHADOW' IS ALMOST AS MOVING
as a James Bond thriller, but it is a real life documentary about a serious problem unfolding in Mexico. Premiering at Sundance, where it won the audience award, and directed by Richard Ladkani, who did the Oscar-nominated “The Ivory Game” (2016), it covers the corruption of fishermen, police, high-ranking military officers and others, who are bribed and intimated by Mexican drug cartel mobsters.
Now the cartels have expanded their operations into smuggling contraband to China and the film also provides information about the Chinese businessmen willing to sell the illegal products there. There are other disturbing facts presented, including the life threatening dangers to journalists who dare to report this story. In fact, more reporters are killed annually in Mexico than in any other nation in the world—including Syria!
Why? It turns out that one of the most important current but vastly under-reported stories is about a multi-million dollar black market that threatens the extinction of a rare giant sea bass known as the totoaba fish. They are being killed off for their air bladders, which are harvested, dried and sold in China, while their remaining carcasses are discarded. They are worth millions in China because they are considered both a culinary delicacy and a miraculous medicine, although its curative powers are questionable. Due to the outrageously inflated prices of the totoaba’s bladders, they have become known as the "cocaine of the sea."
What makes this hunt for totoaba more tragic is that the fishermen use giant gill nets, not constructed with fine string but with strong rope. The film shows members of the environmental group Sea Shepherd capturing a net and freeing what is still alive in it.
The Mexican military supports the Sea Shepherds in their four-year fight to save the endangered vaquita nicknamed 'the cocaine of the sea.' image: courtesy R. Ladkani
Among the dead creatures are an endangered, air-breathing mammal, a vaquita, the world’s smallest whale. The nets also catch and drown porpoises, turtles and other sea creatures that flourish in the Sea of Cortez, between the Baha California peninsula and mainland Mexico.
The Shepherds, part of Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, an international non-profit, conservation organization based out of New York, have been working in the Sea of Cortez since 2015 and travel with armed military escorts who can arrest illegal fishermen. Most of the time the fishermen drop their nets and speed away. Getting and destroying the nets is more important than catching the users of them. Unfortunately the ones that drift away can go on killing sea life for many years.
To find fisherman illegal operating the nets, the Shepherds employ radar-like equipment and drones. Most of the fishing takes place at night, but by using night-vision technology they have found and destroyed over 800 nets. Fishermen who lose a net (each net can costs over $5,000) can’t afford the loss, so the syndicate loans them money replacements, enabling the gangsters to buy protection from someone who might turn them in to authorities. Indeed, the cost of a few nets is nothing compared to the value of a single fish.
At present researchers believe there are only eight to 24 wild totoaba still alive. They can grow to be six feet long and weigh around 200 pounds. If the poachers manage to kill off the last these creatures, greedy merchants will no doubt “discover” yet another species that they can claim has similar or even better culinary or curative powers. The black market syndicate is interested in making money, not protecting animals or anything else that gets in the way of their making a profit.
The gorgeously cute vaquita whale is about to go extinct due to Chinese 'medicinal' avarice. image: courtesy R. Ladkani
One of the informants, who is digitally disguised in the film, was later killed by the cartels (he was killed prior to the completion of the film, so his participation in it was not the cause of his murder). Other people in the film have reported death threats including a TV reporter who has broadcast news of this ongoing battle to save the totoava and vaquita.
At the press preview Jack Hutton, a Sea Shepherd who is seen in the film operating the drones, talked about how he and his mates have had threats made against them, and how personal property left ashore has been vandalized. Jack said he feels safe on their ship as they travel with armed guards.
After the event my wife talked with Jack. He is Irish, 22 and has a Mohawk haircut. He told her he comes from a large family in Ireland and that his relatives will be surprised to learn about his recent activities when they see the film.
Although the gangsters in the San Felipe area of Mexico know who he is, he was going back to his ship. He assured everyone at the reception that their military escorts would continue to protect them.
To protect the endangered sea life from extinction, the Mexican government has outlawed fishing in parts of the Sea of Cortez during several months each year. The government compensates families whose income is based on fishing, but that hasn’t prevented hostilities between the citizens and the authorities from breaking out. There are several ugly moments in the film, including footage of a potential riot to free three fishermen who were arrested for illegal activities.
A typical-thriller shot shows Mexican investigative journalist, Carlos Loret de Mola, looking for leads. image: courtesy R. Ladkani
Among the film’s most disgusting moments are interviews with authority figures. Hearing them try to explain why they don’t arrest known gang members is disturbing. To see a highly decorated Navy officer wearing his uniform tell us that he fears for the safety of his family is shocking to me. Ladkani did tell us, however, that the head of the cartel in the San Filipe area has been arrested for murder.
“Sea of Shadows supporters include Leonardo DiCaprio, who was one of its seven executive producers, and the National Geographic Society, which is involved with its distribution. The cast includes Andrea Crosta, executive director and co-founder of Earth League International (formerly Elephant Action League), an organization that uses undercover operatives to trace links to traders in China.
“Sea of Shadows” is a remarkable film about human greed destroying our planet. Hopefully it will be widely seen. Although seeing it is a disquieting experience, you learn a lot more information than you are used to getting in a documentary. You will probably spend time after you see it thinking about how you can help.
You can help by signing a petition to save the vaquita from extinction. You can also send a postcard or letter to the Mexican government asking them to do more to prevent the extinction of the endangered vaquita and totoaba. Send it to Minister Victor Toledo, SEMARNAT, Embassy of Mexico, 1911 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20006.
Now is the time to sign a petition or write as in May 2019 the former Minister of the Environment in Mexico resigned following public criticism by the president for her lack of action on protecting the sea creatures. She was also accused of abuse of power.
Jack Hutton enjoys a light moment after 'Sea of Shadow' takes an award. image: courtesy R. Ladkani
The new minister, Victor Toledo, is forming his policy and agenda with Mexican President Lopez Obrador. Public concern will show them we believe the vaquita and totoaba need protection including strict enforcement of the gillnet ban. Critical actions are needed to protect the Sea of Cortez. The world is watching, and there is no time to lose.
The film, the trailer for which can be seen here, opens July 19th at the AMC Metreon 16 in San Francisco, and July 26th at Landmark’s Shattuck Cinemas in Berkeley and at the Smith Rafael Film Center in San Rafael.
Karl F. Cohen—who decided to add his middle initial to distinguish himself from the Russian Karl Cohen, who tried to assassinate the Czar in the mid-19th century—is an animator, educator and director of the local chapter of the International Animation Society and can be reached .Posted on Jul 18, 2019 - 07:47 PM