SHARKS: STEWARDS OF THE REEF
Grades 5-12, Science; 30 minutes.

SHARKS: STEWARDS OF THE REEF takes you on a voyage of underwater discovery, to explore tropical reefs and dive with sharks. This documentary describes the relationship between these top predators, to the oceans and coral reef ecosystems. In the footsteps of the Polynesian voyagers, our filmmaking team sailed thousands of miles to explore, dive and document the atolls of the Pacific. Through stunning footage of these remote island outposts, we take you on a journey of adventure that dispels the notion of sharks as vicious man-eaters. With this deeper appreciation, learn that sharks are important symbols in Polynesian culture and are an essential member of the coral reef ecosystem.

Compelling interviews with leading marine biologists and conservationists reveal these driving forces behind the drastic reduction of many shark populations. Sharks: Stewards of the Reef examines escalating threats to shark population including habitat destruction of reef ecosystems and over fishing that are causing Pacific reef shark populations to plummet. This film examines the most brutal assault threatening shark abundance: that of “finning” sharks for shark fin soup.  

The film also looks at the designation Marine Protected Areas, such as the new Marine National Monument of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands as one solution to this crisis.

WARNING: About half-way through the program viewers will see “finning” of sharks, which is the slicing off of their fins while they are still alive and throwing their dismembered bodies back into the sea.