Graphic by Gabby Gagnon ‘24
By Anika Singh ’24
Staff Writer
“Seaspiracy,” a Netflix documentary released on March 24, attempts to draw viewers in as it takes them on a journey across the globe. It begins by explaining how ocean debris affects marine life, and the film soon transforms into an in-depth look at the corruption of the fishing industry and the destruction of the ocean it causes. Here’s what “Seaspiracy” explores through its investigative journalism.
The Industrialization of the Sea
Fisheries and their antics are well documented in “Seaspiracy.” While we see the highly controversial whaling activities that take place in Taiji, Japan, we also witness another baffling issue: the slaughtering of dolphins. This is revealed to be a tactic to increase fish production in the area, as fewer dolphins results in more fish due to a lack of predators. This strategy, set up by the fisheries, is used under the guise of overfishing. The fish species were then unable to replenish themselves and became underpopulated.
Similar unethical methods used to gain maximum profit from the ocean are shown to lead to detrimental effects on the ocean itself. “Seaspiracy” highlights methods such as trawling, a practice in which massive nets are used to capture fish, which causes deforestation of the ocean floor.
Wildlife’s Role
The documentary dives into the importance of wildlife for sustaining ocean life. Ocean wildlife is often not the main focus when it comes to addressing ocean conservation, but “Seaspiracy” urges viewers to see the need for the inestimable role wildlife plays in maintaining the chemistry and biology of the ocean.
“It sounds just mind-blowing, but the power of animals moving up and down through the water column, in terms of mixing, is as great as all the wind, waves, tides and currents in the seas combined,” environmentalist and journalist George Monbiot said.
Sustainability: Can We Trust Labels?
Today’s market often promotes sustainable products, and although purchasing these products seems like the right thing to do, “Seaspiracy” questions the validity of some sustainable fish certifications.
The film shows labels that say “dolphin-safe” and “Marine Stewardship Council” to be unreliable, to an extent. “Seaspiracy” discusses the ongoing trend of sustainability and how it is unable to be transferred into practice.
When asked in the film if he could guarantee that every can of fish labeled “dolphin- safe” is actually dolphin-safe, Mark J. Palmer, associate director of the Earth Island Institute, the organization that manages the “dolphin-safe” label, said, “Nope. Nobody can. Once you’re out there in the ocean, how do you know what they’re doing? We have observers on board — observers can be bribed.”
From the uncaring attitude of the label observers to the practice’s lack of transparency, the group’s fishy approach certainly makes the labels less trustworthy.
Organized Crime & Human Rights
One thing that “Seaspiracy” makes certain is that the fishing industry is not as innocent as it presents itself to be. From accusations of slavery and forced labor in Thailand to organized crime assassinations, the fishing industry seems to have a habit of shutting down people who could hurt their dealings.
The documentary details various cases of fishery observers who have gone missing at sea, such as Keith Davis, who went missing off the coast of Peru. Another method of keeping observers quiet is shown through the case of Gerlie Alpojora, which occurred in the Philippines in 2015. Alpojora was assassinated in her home by armed men after receiving death threats from the family of a tuna fisherman who was arrested for illegal fishing.
In Thailand, “blood shrimp,” named after “blood diamonds,” are now seeing the light of day. Fishermen were being exploited and forced into labor with little to no pay for the shrimp and prawns they caught. During an anonymous interview, a former fisherman alleged the horrifying treatment he had received, describing being abused and threatened at gunpoint.
Plastic Pollution: Who is Responsible?
Although our plastic waste has major impacts on the ocean, the majority of plastic waste stems from plastic nets and other fishing gear. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, which is said to be infested with microplastics, is primarily made of fishing nets, which make up 46 percent of the waste found in the patch. Even though this information is readily available, nongovernmental organizations such as the Plastic Pollution Coalition do not take action to reduce commercial fishing due to the systems that promote fish intake.
While “Seaspiracy” may leave viewers, struck by the urgent need to restore balance to the ocean, wondering whether they should shift from eating seafood to eating plant-based seafood, there is more to this story than one might think.
The documentary shows that the Plastic Pollution Coalition is a project of the Earth Island Institute. The members of the institute are the ones behind the “dolphin-safe” tuna label. They are the people who work with the fishing industry to sell more seafood. This system conveniently shifts the narrative toward plastic pollution caused by individuals rather than the grave actions of these corporations. This well-thought-out blue-washing, in which companies falsely publicize their eco-credentials, does more harm than a plastic straw.