BERLIN A series of wildlife and
conservation focused films are com-
ing to Worcester County this winter,
and a free showing of the award-
winning 2006 film "Sharks: Stew-
ards of the Reef" will launch the
event.
Director Holiday Johnson met
last week with The Dispatch to dis-
cuss her movie, the upcoming film
screenings and the role of docu-
mentaries as a tool for conserva-
tion.With the tagline "the hunters are
now the hunted," the movie exam-
ines the practice of "shark fining,"
the removal of fins from an often live
shark. According to Johnson, the
practice has sparked a rapid decline
among many shark species in cer-
tain areas. Fins are often the main
ingredient in a soup that is popular
overseas.
In China especially, noted John-
son, shark fins are highly prized as
a delicacy. China's recent economic
boom means that more people can
afford the dish than ever before.
"Because the wealth has increas-
ed so much and there is more ac-
cessibility to these things ... now
every middle-class person in China
can afford to have a wedding with
shark fin soup. It's a status symbol,"
she said. "So the demand for shark
fins has just skyrocketed."
The increased demand has had
a hard impact on a number of shark
populations, including Pacific reef
sharks, the main focus of Johnson's
film. Reef sharks have been some
of the hardest hit due to their acces-
sibility compared to their ocean
roaming cousins.
"Whereas reef sharks, they tend
to be more localized so they are
particularly more vulnerable be-
cause they're much easier to catch,"
Johnson explained. "And I did unfor-
tunately witness a drastic [popula-
tion] decline."
Threatening any shark popula-
tion can have a negative impact on
the entire local eco-system due to
the fact that sharks are apex preda-
tors. Beyond the dangers of a falling
population, the movie highlights
how the practice of fining can be
disturbingly violent. Since shark
meat isn't usually in high demand,
some sharks will have their fins re-
moved and then be tossed back a-
live into the ocean.
"It's an incredibly brutal practice,
as well, and incredibly wasteful, of
course. And because of their breed-
ing cycles they are just getting dec-
imated," she said.
In its initial run through numerous
film festivals, the movie collected
several awards for short films and
nature documentaries. A
veteran filmmaker, Johnson
also created "The Last
Stand," an in-depth look at
declining red wood forests
and the lumber industry.
Both films have had an
impact outside of the award
circuit. Her movie on sharks
especially has been used to
prompt change, receiving
translations into several lan-
guages and used in cases where
fining regulations have been exam-
ined. In many parts of the United
States, it is currently illegal to fin live
sharks, including Maryland. John-
son hopes it will become illegal in all
states and globally, though that's a
much tougher fight.
All of her work is the combination
of two passions: environmental con-
servation and making movies.
"So I really came at it actually as
an activist ... One thing that inter-
ests me is looking at some of the
economic factors that are driving
environmental problems because
you can't separate the two," she
said.It's a theme that is likely to run
through many of the films
being highlighted over the
next month. The screening
series is sponsored by As-
sateague Coastal Trust
(ACT) and begins with a
free showing of Johnson's
film on Jan. 30 at The Globe
in Berlin.
On Feb. 21, the 3rd An-
nual Wild and Scenic Film
Festival will be held at Sea-
crets' Morley Hall followed by a
"family-focused" version of Wild and
Scenic on Feb. 22 at the Sarbanes
Center.
The showing at Seacrets will in-
clude 13 short films while the
screening at Assateague will in-
clude three additional films meant
specifically for families and children.
A portion of proceeds from dinner
at The Globe on Jan. 30 will support
ACT while the Wild and Scenic
showing at Seacrets will include dis-
counted food and drink options, raf-
fles and a silent auction. The show-
ing at Assateague will feature a
Renewable Energy Lab for kids
offered by ACT's Coastal Kids pro-
gram.There's something for every-
body, according to Johnson.
Johnson, who sits on ACT's
Board of Directors, will introduce
her film and be available for ques-
tions after the screening. Having re-
located to Maryland from California
a year ago, Johnson is looking
locally for her next big idea.
"I've been looking locally to see if
there are any local issues that can
be highlighted, but I've not found
that project yet. It's really got to call
to you because it is such an en-
deavor. When I choose topics, I look
for those really volatile kinds of is-
sues that there is a lot of importance
and urgency around the issue as
well as a lot of interest," she said.
For more information on ACT's
film series, visit actforbays.org or
call 410-629-1538.
Film Series Kicks Off With Local Director's Documentary
Page 26
January 24, 2014
The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch
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