RACING EXTINCTION
By now every DIVER reader would have seen the tour-de-force that is The Cove, 2009's unique documentary that not only bought to light the huge dolphin slaughter in Taiji, Japan, but also changed the way the public saw ocean related documentaries. It bridged a gap between BBC-style nature docs and a more serious, investigatory documentary style that, until recently, wasn't so common for conservation centric movies. The Cove went on to win the Oscar for best feature documentary and pave the way for a run of hard-hitting, marine life and ocean-related documentaries, incuding last years Blackfish. Director Louie Psihoyos' follow up to The
Cove, Racing Extinction, follows a similar formula, using undercover activists to reveal Earth's biggest threat - a sixth major extinction event. Full of never-before-seen, and often shocking, images that expose the selling of endangered species, Racing Extinction is an unrelenting look at a long list of dwindling species, with some truly heartbreaking moments. Psihoyos has more help from contributors
such as photographer Shawn Heinrichs, Jane Goodall, Elon Musk, freediver Mandy- Rae Cruickshank, and a host of dedicated conservationists, passionate about exposing the alarming rate at which mankind is killing off species, and what we can do to stop it. Very similar in tone to The Cove, this is not
the feel good movie of the summer, but it is perhaps one of the most important. The only let down as far as DIVER can see is
the very limited theatrical release the movie will get on September 15th, with only 15 locations currently scheduled for showings, worldwide. However, the documentary has been sold to Discovery Channel, meaning the full feature will be aired on Discovery on December 2nd. No news as to when it will see a digital, DVD or Blu Ray release. We just hope that's soon; this
NEWS BITES MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE
The world's oldest message in a bottle was recently discovered in Germany. The bottle was released in the North Sea between 1904 and 1906 and found by a woman on a beach in Amrum, Germany. Inside a postcard asked that it be sent to the Marine Biological Association of the UK, where the bottle was returned, and a one shilling reward for safe return was offered. The bottle was one of 1000 released as a part of marine research.
is a movie that needs to be seen by as many people as possible, and more importantly, by those who are unlikely to be subscribed to the Discovery Channel. As with The Cove, Racing Extinction will
face opposition from some, but it's a film that deserves conversation. Getting audiences and the public to discuss the themes covered is important - and vital to any evolution. Racing Extinction has value to the documentary film industry, but more so to the human race. It is a film that strives to achieve understanding, and subsequently encourage change.
It is well-
crafted, tense and gripping filmmaking at the top of its game. Scuba diver, freediver, ocean lover or concerned citizen, Racing Extinction is a must see movie for all ages. Keep an eye out come Oscar season, too; we'd be surprised if it didn't see a nomination. For more visit:
www.racingextinction.com
UK DIVER JAILED FOR CANNON FRAUD
A commercial diver in the United Kingdom has been jailed for two years, and ordered to pay £35,000 ($71,000CAD) costs by the Southampton Crown Court. Vincent Woolsgrove, 48, removed three cannons from a 17th century shipwreck, and subsequently
sold them for £46,000 ($93,000CAD). He admitted fraud in July, after originally claiming the weapons were found in international waters. He later admitted he recovered the canons from the wreck of The London, which sank off the coast
of Southend in 1665. In 2007 Woolsgrove found a total of five cannons at the wreck site, but claimed only two had come
from there, which as they were in UK waters, were the Crown's property. The other three cannons he said were from international waters off the Kent coast. He was subsequently granted title for them, before selling them to a private US collector in 2010. Further investigation involving Historic England, the Maritime Coastguard Agency and the Kent
Police were able to prove the cannons came from The London. Authorities are trying to arrange the return of the cannons to the UK.
NEW USA FREEDIVING WOMEN'S RECORD
Claire Paris of Miami has broken the USA Women's National Freedivng Record for Dynamic No Fins with a swim of 420 feet (128m) on a single breath. Claire added ten feet (three metres) to the previous record, which was held by Shell Eisenberg. Claire's swim took 3 minutes 7 seconds and took place during the California Cup freedive competition.
www.divermag.com 13
UNDERWATER TUNNEL DRUG RUN
The arrest of a California drug smuggler in scuba led to a discovery of a partially submerged tunnel that ends in a canal. Using a rebreather, the smuggler held 55lbs (30kg) of cocaine as he made his way through the 150 foot (46m) long tunnel, with hopes of making into the US from Mexico. Reports of a new Distinctive Specialty course are unfounded.
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