Videos

Empty Oceans, Empty Nets

55 minutes, produced by Habitat Media in 2002

Program description: The world's fisheries are under increasing pressure, with approximately 70 percent of the world's commercial fish stocks considered fully exploited or over-exploited. Yet, consumer's demand for fish worldwide is on the rise. EMPTY OCEANS, EMPTY NETS is a documentary exploring the immense challenges threatening marine fisheries worldwide.

Over one billion people in Asia already depend on ocean fish for their entire supply of protein, as does one out of every five Africans. Much of the seafood consumed in the U.S. is imported from developing countries. The entire world shares an interest in restory and maintaining this critical food supply.

EMPTY OCEANS, EMPTY NETS examines the full extent of the challenges facing the world's fisheries and the forces that continue to threaten many marine fish stocks. It also documents some of the most promising and innovative work being done to restore fisheries and protect essential fish habitat. New market initiatives are explored that give consumers a powerful vote in deciding how our oceans are fished.

The Director of Habitat Media Steve Cowen says that EMPTY OCEANS, EMPTY NETS is a visual report of what his team encountered filming on all types of vessels, talking to hundreds of fishermen and scientists all over the world. He asks the question: Is the reality captured by our lens a crisis or not? Judge for yourself.

Programming and policy considerations: Although this film does not serve as U.S. government policy, the Oceans Directorate at the Department sees the film as an opportunity for further discussions and understandings regarding complex issues, which are global in nature. The Oceans Directorate is agreeable to participating in Digital Video Conferencing on this subject.

Rights: We have educational rights only, permitting the use of this video in front of groups providing no admission is charged for viewing. This video cannot be broadcast or duplicated.