Panelists (from left to right, Bob Nixon, Sylvia Earle, Brian Skerry, Max Kennedy, Richard Pyle)
In Sea of Hope: America’s Underwater Treasures, director Robert Nixon follows explorer Dr. Sylvia Earle, activist and author Max Kennedy, photographer Brian Skerry, and many others on a journey through some of America’s most captivating marine habitats. The documentary highlights the lack of protection for these special places, and advocates for the creation of “blue parks”, much like the terrestrial National Parks that protect areas like Yellowstone or the Grand Canyon.
In June 2016, the Witman Lab worked with Brian Skerry and the rest of the National Geographic team at Cashes Ledge in the Gulf of Maine, shooting photo and video for the documentary. Incredible footage from the weeks out at Cashes Ledge showed the vibrant kelp forest, local populations of red cod, and even a bird’s-eye view of two sei whales. Jon Witman and Fiona Beltram gave interviews, discussing the importance of biodiversity at Cashes Ledge for the fisheries industry and for the public.
This week, Fiona traveled to Washington, D.C. for the world premiere of the documentary, followed by a panel discussion. Panelists Robert Nixon, Sylvia Earle, Brian Skerry, Max Kennedy, and Richard Pyle talked about their experiences during the filming, and their years of work for ocean conservation. Dr. Earle reflected on the expansion of Hawaii’s Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, and emphasized the role of young people in securing a better future for fragile ocean habitats.
The documentary will air at 7 pm, Sunday, January 15th on the National Geographic Channel.
A link to the channel can be found here.
In June 2016, the Witman Lab worked with Brian Skerry and the rest of the National Geographic team at Cashes Ledge in the Gulf of Maine, shooting photo and video for the documentary. Incredible footage from the weeks out at Cashes Ledge showed the vibrant kelp forest, local populations of red cod, and even a bird’s-eye view of two sei whales. Jon Witman and Fiona Beltram gave interviews, discussing the importance of biodiversity at Cashes Ledge for the fisheries industry and for the public.
This week, Fiona traveled to Washington, D.C. for the world premiere of the documentary, followed by a panel discussion. Panelists Robert Nixon, Sylvia Earle, Brian Skerry, Max Kennedy, and Richard Pyle talked about their experiences during the filming, and their years of work for ocean conservation. Dr. Earle reflected on the expansion of Hawaii’s Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, and emphasized the role of young people in securing a better future for fragile ocean habitats.
The documentary will air at 7 pm, Sunday, January 15th on the National Geographic Channel.
A link to the channel can be found here.
Witman Lab undergraduate researcher Fiona Beltram attended the premier event in Washington D.C.
