The End of the Line

“The End of the Line” is a gripping, sobering documentary for anyone who loves fish, the ocean–and the health of the earth’s entire ecosystem. British filmmaker Rupert Murray has created a must-see film–a true call to action–that compellingly makes the case that the earth’s oceans must be preserved, like great areas of the land, for future generations, to prevent the emptying of the seas of fish. Murray examines modern fishing practices, and the lack of agreement in the global community on what’s acceptable. Trawling, for example, still the major form of catching mass quantities of fish, is done many times a year in the same spot–a practice, Murray tells the viewer, akin to “plowing a field seven times a year.” The yield is, and will be, ever diminishing.

Murray based his documentary on Charles Clover’s book “The End of the Line: How Overfishing Is Changing the World and What We Eat”. As a film, however, the message has far more impact–the gorgeous undersea photography is riveting and inspiring–and helps leaven the downbeat overall message of “The End of the Line”. Ted Danson is an engaging narrator, not mincing words or glossing over harsh realities about the world’s diminishing fish supply–yet drawing in the viewer to the wonders of the ocean, and why they need the same protections that vast areas of land preserves enjoy.

“The End of the Line” will make viewers think twice about the fish they eat–and maybe spur them into ocean conservation activism.