Books, Movies, and Articles

We've curated some of the best resources about the ocean and oceanic conversation.

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Books

Cod-Kurlansky-Mark-9780099268703

Cod by Mark Kurlansky

Cod fish were the resource that helped build the new world starting in the 1500’s and hitting a peak in the 1800’s, and “salt cod” is still a traditional staple in many cuisines.  This book tells the story of this one fish and its impact on the world.  It also tells the story of over exploitation, and how important it is to manage our fisheries sustainably.

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OCEAN Global Odyssey

National Geographic Ocean: A Global Odyssey by Silvia Earle

Everything you want to know about the ocean can be found inside these beautiful and dynamic pages. National Geographic Ocean unveils the power and significance of our planet's watery essence: the fundamental importance of the ocean in shaping Earth's climate and chemistry as well as its vital role in supporting a multitude of life-forms, including our own human race.

World-renowned oceanographer and National Geographic Explorer in Residence Sylvia Earle--affectionately called "Her Deepness"--guides readers with her lyrical style and inspiring wisdom, describing the evolution, beauty, and impact of our ocean; the challenges it faces, such as climate change, plastic, and overfishing; and the myriad ways we can help protect it.

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Whale Warriors

The Whale Warriors by Peter Heller

The Whale Warriors is the true story of Paul Watson and the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society’s efforts to stop illegal whaling in the Southern Ocean off the shores of Antarctica.  Paul has sunk eight whaling ships to protect whales, which are emblematic of a terrible overexploitation of the seas that is now entering its desperate denouement. The oceans may be easy to ignore because they are literally under the surface, but scientists believe that the world's oceans are on the verge of total ecosystem collapse. Our own survival is in the balance.

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EELS

EELS by James Prosek

James Prosek is an amazing artist, painting actual marine individuals vs. a general ideal, and brings his passion and curiosity to the story of the eel - one of the most elusive sea creatures in the world. Eel's life cycle is the opposite of most fish in that it is born in the sea and migrates to fresh water and can live for decades. They are indicators of ecosystem health and may occupy the broadest range of habitats of any fish. Yet they are threatened with some populations declining 99%. James brings the eel's unique biology to life, and describes their role in folklore, cuisine, and commerce from New England to New Zealand.

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stronghold

Stronghold by Tucker Malarkey

This is a great, true story about Guido Ruhr and the Pacific Salmon, which he spent the better part of his life fighting to save.

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Movies

Ocean Souls

Ocean Souls

A beautifully shot census of our “waterbound cousins” – Cetaceans or ocean mammals.  Find out how amazing these animals are, and how they seem so much like us with complex communications and emotions, high intelligence, and family and social bonds.  This film is an intimate look at an amazing aspect of our beautiful oceans.

Check out on YouTube!

ChasingCoral

Chasing Coral

“While coral reefs only occupy a tiny fraction of the ocean floor, they are one of the most important and diverse ecosystems in the world with 1/4th of the marine creatures we know and love depending on them in some way, along with more than 500 million humans who depend on healthy reefs for food, income, and to protect our coastlines from extreme weather.  This film is the product of 500+ hours of underwater footage, coral bleaching submissions from volunteers in 30 countries, and support from 500 people in various locations around the world.”

Check out the trailer on YouTube!

Seaspiracy

Seaspiracy

Seaspiracy is a shocking (and somewhat controversial) documentary about human impact on the ocean, in particular rampant and illegal overfishing.  Directed by and starring British filmmaker Ali Tabrizi in 2021, the film examines human impacts on marine life and advocates for ending fish consumption, an issue with which many of us must wrestle.

Check out the trailer on YouTube!

My_Octopus_Teacher_poster

My Octopus Teacher

This is the amazing story of one man's relationship to one animal, highlighting the richness of the sea and the individual lives of its inhabitants, as well as the healing power of our relationship to the ocean.

Click here to view the trailer on YouTube!

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Blue Planet by BBC Earth

This incredible documentary series chronicles life in our oceans with eight episodes exploring the incredible beauty and challenges faced by marine animals.

Click here to view on BBC Earth!

 

Articles

Antarctic Krill Fishing by Joshua Goodman and David Keyton

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/nimalluxshman_see-how-a-rescue-team-save-the-life-of-a-activity-7086985865947713537-f2On/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android

UN Ocean Conference ends with call for greater global commitment to address dire state of the ocean

  1. UN Ocean Conference 6.27.2022 https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/blog/2022/06/un-ocean-conference-opens-with-call-for-urgent-action-to-tackle-ocean-emergency/
  2. UN.org https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/science/climate-issues/ocean#:~:text=The%20ocean%20generates%2050%20percent,the%20impacts%20of%20climate%20change.
  3. NASA Science https://science.nasa.gov/earth-science/oceanography/living-ocean#:~:text=The%20reason%20it%20looks%20blue,planet%2C%20is%20in%20the%20ocean.
  4. Smithsonian https://ocean.si.edu/ocean-life/invertebrates/sea-sponge-hiv-medicine
  5. NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/exploration.html#:~:text=More%20than%20eighty%20percent%20of,the%20mysteries%20of%20the%20deep.
  6. New York Times 5.15.2003 https://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/15/world/commercial-fleets-reduced-big-fish-by-90-study-says.html
  7.  Alverson, D.L., Freeberg, M.H., et al. “A global assessment of fisheries bycatch and discards.” FAO Fisheries Technical Paper. No. 339. 1994 http://www.fao.org/docrep/003/t4890e/T4890E00.HTM (1/25/11)
  8. UN Ocean Conference 6.5.2017 https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/Ocean_Factsheet_Pollution.pdf
  9. UNESCO https://conserveturtles.org/information-sea-turtles-threats-marine-debris/
  10. Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN) 10.2021. The Sixth Status of Corals of the World 2020 Report
  11. NOAA https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/exploration.html#:~:text=Currently%2C%20less%20than%20ten%20percent,been%20mapped%20with%20modern%20methods.
  12. USGS (United States Geological Survey) 4.20.2020 https://www.usgs.gov/news/national-news-release/usgs-releases-first-ever-comprehensive-geologic-map-moon#:~:text=For%20the%20first%20time%2C%20the,and%20the%20Lunar%20Planetary%20Institute.
  13. Scientific American 5.17.2018 https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-much-of-the-worlds-protected-land-is-actually-protected1/
  14. Marine Conservation Institute https://marine-conservation.org/30x30/
  15. Reuters 3.30.2023 https://www.reuters.com/graphics/GLOBAL-ENVIRONMENT/OCEANS/jnvwyjomdvw/
  16. Yellowstone Park 5.15.2022 https://www.yellowstonepark.com/park/conservation/photo-saved-bison/
  17. Jaguar Conservation in Brazil: The Role of Protected Areas 1.2008 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/238781533_Jaguar_Conservation_in_Brazil_The_Role_of_Protected_Areas
  18. Conservation International https://www.conservation.org/blog/protected-areas-do-save-wildlife-just-ask-these-5-species
  19. American Progress 6.3.2019 https://www.americanprogress.org/article/marine-protected-areas-help-fisheries-ocean-ecosystems/
  20. Science Daily 10.28.2005 https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/10/051028141252.htm
  21. Smithsonian 6.22.2023 https://www.si.edu/newsdesk/releases/marine-protected-areas-improve-health-wealth-nearby-communities