Help Bring Sharkwater to China

I have already covered this in the past, but I recently got an email from Neil Hammerschlag campaigning to bring Sharkwater (I still cannot get over the DVD cover) to China.  By now everyone knows where I stand in reference to the movie and Rob Stewart...HOWEVER...I really do believe that showing this movie in China will have an impact.  I am surprised it has been taking so long - should have debuted there before showing in the US (I know, I know)

You can donate at Save The Blue - a non-profit which Neil is part of.  With the donation you will also receive a shark pendant - I already got mine.

Neil Hammerschlag - Saving the Blue

Neil Hammerschlag is a Ph.D. Candidate in Marine Biology and Fisheries at the University of Miami, Rosensteil School for Marine and Atmospheric Science and co-directs the South Florida Student Shark Program (SFSSP), a multi-disciplinary education and research program providing practical-hands-on marine field research experience for high school and undergraduate students, and is working in collaboration with the National Parks Service to establish a unique virtual distance education project to bring ocean exploration into classrooms via live online interactive wireless communications.

I just recently started to donate to his student program after my prior shark foundation experience was not too fulfilling... Neil invited my father and me to go out with him late this Novemeber - very much looking forward to this (not as a result of my small donations :-).

In addition, Neil is also part of a new project: Save the Blue whose current campaign is to bring the movie Sharkwater, together with WildAid, to China. If there is one place that Sharkwater needs to be shown extensively it is here. Enough with the Festivals and Awards - bring the movie to where it will really make a difference.

A little secret - he is a terrible bowler...

Minimum donation is $20 - but you will also get a nice shark pendant - I am getting mine now...

Just to be clear I am not happy the direction the Sharkwater team has taken - but I do support the fact that Save the Blue and WildAid are trying to distribute and show the movie in Asia...

The Good and the Bad...

The Good

The Bad

So I am in Beijing and thought I was going to be able to avoid the shark-finning issue...I almost did.

At first I was pleasantly surprised as I came across a large billboard of Yao Ming and a shark - said that if you stop buying, you stop the killing.

Ironically this was on the way to the restaurant I was going to eat some Peking duck at. Flipping through the menu I came across, what else, some shark fin soup... I was thinking about leaving, but honestly did not think I was going to find a typical Chinese establishment that does not serve fins.

Regardless, I applaud the Save Our Seas Foundation efforts and do think there is hope...maybe it is just wishful thinking...

I wonder why Sharkwater has not been shown in China yet -

Congratulations to Rob Stewart

Rob Stewart joins the ranks of Hollywood's elite winning the Environmental Vision award - congratulations.

I hope the sharks will continue to benefit from the film, Sharkwater, and Rob's growing fame.

Sharkwater DVD Launch Celebration

Sharkwater is probably one of the best shark documentaries I have seen. In 2006 I saw the movie twice (Ft. Lauderdale and Key West) - also had a chance to have dinner with Rob.

On April 11, 2008 - Shark Savers are having a party which will be hosted by Rob and Captain Paul Watson:

When: Friday, April 11th, 7-11pm
Where: Pink Elephant, 527 W 27th Street, New York City

RSVP: http://sharksavers.eventbrite.com/

There is a $20 cover charge if you buy the tickets in advance, and $25 at door. I am not sure where or how this money will be spent - I assume it is a 100% donation going to the cause - that would be the only right thing to do.

My only question is: Why is Rob featured so prominently on the movie poster - promoting sharks or himself? I do not think I have ever seen a documentary director on a movie poster before.

Sharkwater

Sharkwater (movie on shark finning by Rob Stewart) has just posted a pledge on its site:

http://www.sharkwater.com/pledge_to_save_sharks.asp

Please sign it...

Sharkwater

I had the pleasure to watch Sharkwater in November, twice actually. It is probably the best shark documentary that I have ever seen - Discovery Shark Week - get a clue. Rob Stewart directed and filmed the movie, which has been winning awards at all the film festivals it has participated in.

I met Rob in Key West - standup guy...

Two thumbs up...highly recommended!