Tuna in the Revillagigedo Islands, Mexico. Photo: Erick Higuera.
Sir David Attenborough’s latest film, Ocean with David Attenborough, is coming to the Far South Coast through a free community screening in Narooma.
The film was only released in May 2025, but grant funding from philanthropic organisation Minderoo Foundation is making it possible for community organisations to screen it around the country.
Nature Coast Marine Group Eurobodalla (NCMG) is taking the opportunity to show Sir David’s latest masterpiece at Narooma Surf Life Saving Club on Saturday, 22 November, at 5:30 pm.
NCMG president Dane Wilmott said screening the documentary was aimed at bringing attention to the overfishing of oceans and the results of that industrial-scale activity.
“The film explains why we need to re-examine the way things have been done and the ways we can repair some of the damage that has occurred as a result,” Mr Wilmott said.
While the documentary is full of scientific facts, it also resonates emotionally.
In it, Sir David makes a passionate case against the ruin caused by industrial overfishing.
While exposing the oceans’ biggest challenges, he also makes it clear that the opportunity for marine life recovery on an unprecedented scale is within reach.
A pair of Laysan albatrosses on Midway Atoll. Photo: Silverback Films and Open Planet Studios, Toby Nowlan.
The film runs for an hour and 25 minutes and includes case studies from around the world, including the UK, Antarctica, Hawaii and the west coast of Africa. Mr Wilmott said all the case studies were applicable to Australia.
Sir David uses those inspiring stories to deliver his message that the ocean can recover to a glory beyond anything anyone alive has ever seen.
Through the Minderoo Foundation, the documentary has already screened at Milton and in Sydney.
On 20 November, it will screen at NSW Parliament House, with invitations extended to all ministers and members of the Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly, coinciding with the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP30 in Brazil.
The film received major support from Minderoo Pictures, the foundation’s production company, which teams up with filmmakers to drive social change. Minderoo Pictures also supported the White Rock documentary about the destruction of the Great Southern Reef’s kelp forests by long-spined sea urchins.
Alex Warham (left) and Jacca Deeble launch a drone to film an ocean trawler. Photo: Silverback Films and Open Planet Studios, Alex Warham.
Following the documentary’s screening in Narooma, there will be a panel discussion with retired environmental law expert Linda Tucker, seabird ecologist Penny Beaver, and an NCMG representative.
Ms Beaver, Associate Research Fellow in Seabird Ecology at Deakin University – and a long-time Bega Valley resident – has won grant funding to study the South Coast’s pelicans.
Mr Wilmott wants the screening to motivate people to look at their local area and recognise where historical overfishing has affected their ecosystem, and recognise what steps are needed to repair habitats and rehabilitate fish stocks.
He said NSW had been the subject of historical overfishing from which it had not recovered.
“Understanding is improving as people are slowly recognising the extent of what we have to do to restore the ecosystems,” Mr Wilmott said.
He said that included understanding the important role of sanctuary zones, such as those in Batemans Marine Park.
“Sanctuary zones protect fish so they can grow to larger sizes and produce more eggs,” Mr Wilmott said. “The sanctuary zones also provide a baseline reference point to accurately assess further impacts.”
Registration for this free event is essential. Dinner will be available for sale on the night. There will also be raffles and door prizes, with all proceeds going to NCMG.
