Sharkwater (DVD, 2008)

While aware that commercial shark fishing was an issue, the actual scale of the fishing and it's recent growth were a revelation. Of course, the utter waste inherent in the fin industry really must be seen to be appreciated. This is a film that must be seen by those who support the fin industry: the average asian consumer who feels that shark fin soup has cultural or health value. All of the uproar, protests, and boycotts by westerners have little impact on this institution. Change will come about through the self-education of asians, and this film has the potential to create the momentum for that change. The change in public awareness documented in the local fishing communities was encouraging, but as long as the demand is there for the fins, there will be fishermen to supply them.

The detailed insight into the nature of sharks was new to me as well, the footage breathtaking (though not to my diving neighbor who has also had first hand experience with sharks). I wish this film had done more on the sharks within the oceanic ecosystem complexities, but I cannot short the filmmaker for following his heart and using his talents & resources to expose us to the unbalance and waste, to instill in us a sense of urgency.

It is unfortunate that this film was released in this year of the Beijing Summer Olympics, as there has been such a piling-on of criticism of Chinese culture & politics from the west, that I am afraid that the message of this film is being drowned out, if not censored, by the west as well as the east for it's political message. I know of few films that have won so many awards and good reviews that have had such poor distribution in the U.S.

I am giving this film an Excellent rating primarily for it's high craft and potential to motivate change.

Great movie. One thing that i didn't like about it was how radical they were. But i got it for like $2 so cant beat that

Anybody who loves the underwater world, especially shark enthusiasts will appreciate this film. This is the 3rd time i've purchased this item. one for myself and 2 as gifts.

Admittedly this is an activist film, but it does a good job at appealing to those in the middle. The shark fin trade is decimating the seas of a predator that keeps in check smaller organisms that eat the very plankton that produce 80% of the oxygen we breathe. We are killing these predators at a rate of 150 million per year. Not very sensible. Even more frightening is how humans turn on other humans to continue to support this practise because of the amount of money involved. Not advised for the weak of heart - it's got lovely photography and beautifully filmed parts, but also images you'll never forget. If you're open minded and looking for a cause, this is a perfect starter course on what's probably the most urgent cause today.

A good documentary on its own, but also a hard look at what's happened to the world's shark population in the past 20+ years. We have done the creature a terrible disservice in recent history (estimates ranging to a decimation of 90% of the population), and this documentary is very eye-opening. Something needs to be done, and the filmmaker does a good job getting the point across.

I love this Movie, More people should see how sharks are in real life no what they seen from the Movie Jaws, Jaws is nothing what a real shark is.

Go to www.savingsharks.com

100 million sharks are killed each year just for their fins
Remember sharks have a right to live here as we do

Excellent well made documentary/story about the value of sharks in the environment. As a diver, and someone who has dived with Great Whites and others, this DVD illustrates the need to conserve sharks in the wild and stop the violent kiling and massacre of these fish that have been around for more than 400 million years. Many species of fish and animals are disappearing for ever due to what humans are doing to the planet. The fishing and killing of sharks needs to stop in order for us humans to remain longer on this planet. I am not an environmentalist, just a father who wants a safe and healthy place for my children to grow up in. It's all up to each of us. Amazing movie and story to watch. Good luck.

This is an important documentary,based on true events and global happenings.I loved that the movie showed true happenings of shark behaviors and what is happening globaly by humans to save the sharks from extinction.I bought this dvd because my whole family is shark enthusiests,we are apart of many conservation programs that have to do with the ocean saving efforts.

For more than 400 million years sharks have dominated the oceans. As a species it is widely regarded as a predatory 'eating machine' that doesn't discriminate from fish or humans. This inauthentic fear has earned it a reputation as being dangerous and worthy of contempt.
As a result, sharks have taken on trophy-like qualities for the people that hunt and eat them. This lust for money and a taste for the exotic has landed sharks in deep trouble.
Right now, sharks are among the most valuable and vulnerable animals in the sea.
This is the documentary that was needed to educate people about these great animals and expose the mafia behind the illegal shark fin commerce.
Sharks are not the enemies!
Two thumbs up to Rob Stewart and to the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society!
Fantastic documentary !!

the dvd was too drawn out. some of the footage was nice, but some of the story was a bit uninteresting. once you have seen videos of people hacking fins off sharks, you have seen them all. i think the dvd will enlighten people about sharks not being our enemy, and not being man eaters. they did a great job of delivering the message that sharks are important to our ecosystem.