Spring Break
Fisheries film details its business crisis
Whitney Tallarico
Issue date: 9/19/08 Section: News
09/19/08 - The University of Rhode Island's Coastal Society hosted a showing of "American Fisheries: A Cautionary Tale," last night.
The film had previously been premiered in the Boston International Film Festival, and informed its viewers about the current state of the New England Fisheries.
The film was open for public viewing at 5 p.m. in the Weaver Hall of the Coastal Institute. Many special guests and members of the community attended the screening.
Film producer Bailey Pryor is the President of Telemark Films, and has written, directed and produced a number of documentary films and television series. Pryor attended the showing of the film and was a part of a panel that discussed the documentary and its implications on New England fisheries.
Other members of the panel included Dr. Richard Pollnac, a well-established researcher and consultant on coastal development and other ecological issues; Karen Alexander, a projected coordinator for the Gulf of Maine Cod Project; Dr. Bill Leavenworth, an expert on the New England maritime industry and the coastal environment from 1630 to 1850 and researcher for the Gulf of Maine Cod Project; Dr. Seth Macinko, a URI assistant professor and member of the Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Council; and Stephen Jones, the co-producer of the film.
The 40-minute documentary consisted mainly of footage of fishermen, members of the Rhode Island Fisheries Council and rapidly decreasing New England codfish.
The situation portrayed is dire, as there is an ongoing struggle between the livelihood and job security of the New England Fisheries.
From a historical perspective, cod supply has been in recess since the invention of steam powered engine in 1905. In 1930, the steam-powered engines enabled foreign vessels to come along the New England fishing grounds, sparking competition for the cod and ruining the sustainable fishing that the New England fishermen once enjoyed.
Fishermen have limited times and locations where they can fish; thus, over-crowding is a huge issue. Still, fishermen hold on to their jobs. "This is what we do," said a fisherman being interviewed.
The film had previously been premiered in the Boston International Film Festival, and informed its viewers about the current state of the New England Fisheries.
The film was open for public viewing at 5 p.m. in the Weaver Hall of the Coastal Institute. Many special guests and members of the community attended the screening.
Film producer Bailey Pryor is the President of Telemark Films, and has written, directed and produced a number of documentary films and television series. Pryor attended the showing of the film and was a part of a panel that discussed the documentary and its implications on New England fisheries.
Other members of the panel included Dr. Richard Pollnac, a well-established researcher and consultant on coastal development and other ecological issues; Karen Alexander, a projected coordinator for the Gulf of Maine Cod Project; Dr. Bill Leavenworth, an expert on the New England maritime industry and the coastal environment from 1630 to 1850 and researcher for the Gulf of Maine Cod Project; Dr. Seth Macinko, a URI assistant professor and member of the Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Council; and Stephen Jones, the co-producer of the film.
The 40-minute documentary consisted mainly of footage of fishermen, members of the Rhode Island Fisheries Council and rapidly decreasing New England codfish.
The situation portrayed is dire, as there is an ongoing struggle between the livelihood and job security of the New England Fisheries.
From a historical perspective, cod supply has been in recess since the invention of steam powered engine in 1905. In 1930, the steam-powered engines enabled foreign vessels to come along the New England fishing grounds, sparking competition for the cod and ruining the sustainable fishing that the New England fishermen once enjoyed.
Fishermen have limited times and locations where they can fish; thus, over-crowding is a huge issue. Still, fishermen hold on to their jobs. "This is what we do," said a fisherman being interviewed.
