Wild Ocean 3D Page #2

by advancing shoals

and possibly even in the arrival

of other predatory

species in the region.

The sharks may have

taken the pilot shoals,

but now, all the Wild Coast's

predators are on the move.

Gannets take to the air in

greater numbers than ever.

They can dive from

as high as 100 feet,

and plunge as deep as 30.

They can hit the water at

speeds of up to 30 miles per hour.

The dolphins are

searching for the shoals,

pods joining together

to form superpods.

They gather momentum,

and prepare to charge.

Throughout the 20th century,

sardine shoals were so huge

that millions of them would be

sidetracked into the shallows

where they were taken in nets,

buckets, even upturned skirts.

This is what became

known as the "Sardine Run."

In recent years, sardines have been

reaching the northern beaches

in fewer and fewer numbers.

As the ocean temperatures rise,

the conditions will be

less favorable for the shoals

to approach the shallows.

As the ocean changes,

their behavior

will also change.

Further south, however,

on the Wild Coast,

there is still an

abundance of activity,

like nowhere else on Earth.

The shoal has been

forced to the surface.

It twists and turns and

scatters, dazzling its attackers.

The sea is alive with predators,

unconcerned with each other,

focused only upon taking the sardines

from every conceivable direction.

An undersea battle has begun!

So how do we fit

into the food chain?

If we have to squeeze

the fish into the can

or pack it in ice

...what can we do to

keep our oceans Alive?

Can we control

ourselves just enough

to share the sea with

the other predators

at the top of the food chain?

Can we control

ourselves just enough

to keep the circle of life

spinning beneath the waves?

What would it take?

Once upon a time

all the world's oceans

were as rich and vital

as the Wild Coast.

What would it take

to bring the world's

oceans back to life?

It is time for a sea change.

In the late nineteenth century,

French scientist,

Marcel Herubel first proposed

the concept of marine reserves.

He suggested that

whole areas of the ocean,

the fish hatcheries

and nurseries, be protected.

No one listened.

Right now, over 12% of

the world's land is protected,

yet less than one hundredth

of one percent of the ocean

is a marine reserve.

New Zealand and South

Africa now lead the way,

with South Africa committing

to protecting 20% of its coastline.

If the rest of

the world were to follow,

there would be hope

for our ocean wilderness.

Hope for the great shoals

and for the predators.

For now, there is a place

where we can have a glimpse

of what the oceans of

the world would have looked like

hundreds of years ago...

and perhaps,

one day, could again...

This is the Wild Ocean

This is where

Africa meets the Sea.

Translation:
jierro

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes