Letter from Alpana Ahuja (Mrs), Straits Times Forum 30 Jan 08;
AFTER reading a review in The Straits Times, I went to see the film Sharkwater. The film is amazing and an eye- opener.
As a lay person, what I understood is that if sharks are wiped off the face of the earth (they have been around for four million years), there would be an explosive growth of the small fish they eat and these will eat away the plankton. Plankton is precious and important because it takes in carbon dioxide and gives the world most of the oxygen. A more qualified person would be able to confirm these facts.
The appalling cruelty of the shark's-fin industry (a well-known fact) is graphic in its detail.
Sharks are responsible for five human deaths each year. On the other hand, drugs and road accidents are responsible for over 100,000 human deaths.
What a pity that there were only five people in the theatre. A film like this should be well promoted and shown to school children at discounted prices.
What is the use of showing such a powerful film to empty seats? School and junior-college principals, CEOs and theatre owners should sponsor shows for students/employees.
The oceans are being depleted at an alarming rate. The need of the hour is to create awareness of the facts.
Please do see the film before you reach for that bowl of shark's-fin soup. Or is it just an 'inconvenient truth', especially with the festive season round the corner?
