Tara Van Hoorn is an intern with the International Marine Mammal Project of Earth Island Institute and majors in Conservation Resource Studies at the University of California, Berkeley.
While the pandemic continues to keep many of us inside, that does not mean that our education about and involvement in marine conservation must stop. Here are some movies, videos, books, and crafts, many kid-friendly, to keep up your engagement with the ocean and IMMP’s cetacean conservation from the comfort of your own home.
These various films, documentaries, and shows delve into the realms of ocean conservation, marine ecology and biology, and also reveal threats to the ocean and its various species around the world.
Free Willy (1 and 2) (PG, available for rent on Prime Video): These family-friendly movies follow the journey of releasing a killer whale named Willy from captivity. The sequel follows the conservation efforts of Willy’s releasers to save Willy’s pod from an oil spill. Earth Island’s International Marine Mammal Project (IMMP) formed the Free Willy/Keiko Foundation to successfully rehabilitate and release the orca star of “Free Willy”, real name Keiko, an orca held in a Mexico City aquarium.
The Cove (PG-13, available for rent on Prime Video): This graphic documentary reveals the gruesome truth behind the slaughtering of dolphins in Taiji, Japan, following the activists’ attempts to record and publicize the attacks. It chronicles the work of IMMP and Ric O’Barry, a former member of our staff, to stop the slaughter of dolphins in Japan, an ongoing IMMP campaign.
Blackfish (PG-13, Netflix): This famous documentary focuses on the lives of killer whales living in captivity, following the story of Tilikum, an abused orca in SeaWorld. The film offers insight into the poor living conditions and the numerous stresses put on the whales forced to be show-animals in such aquariums. Its strength is the testimony of many former SeaWorld employees, who work with IMMP and other organizations in opposition to cetacean captivity.
The Blue Planet and The Blue Planet 2 (TV-G and TV-PG, BBC Series, Available for rent on Netflix): These docu-series offer insight into life underwater in our vast oceans by following numerous animals that inhabit the seas around the world. Spectacular underwater footage of many marine species.
Big Miracle (PG, Netflix): This drama, based on a true story, follows the mission of environmental activists attempting to save a pod of gray whales that are at risk of being frozen in rapidly forming ice near the Arctic Circle. Drew Barrymore plays real-life activist Cindy Lowry, a colleague of IMMP.
Chasing Coral (PG-TV, Netflix): A documentary following filmmakers around the world as they document the decline and death of coral reefs due to climate change.
Microplastic Madness: A documentary about a youth-led Plastic Free Future movement in schools across NYC and beyond! Created to inspire kids, parents, teachers and policy makers.
Mystery of the Pink Dolphins (PG, Prime Video): This documentary delves into the mysterious pink dolphins that live in rivers deep in the Amazon rainforest. The film focuses on discovering the scientific origins of the species and looks into how this unique life exists in such an obscure corner of the planet.
A Plastic Ocean (TV-14, Netflix): This documentary examines the immense issue of plastic pollution in our oceans by explaining and studying the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. The film also describes the immense damage that plastic can do to sea life and even to the human population.
Pacificum: Return to the Ocean (TV-G, Netflix): This documentary follows four scientists as they study and describe the great diversity of Peru’s coastlines, diving below the water, trekking along the cliffs, and soaring through the sky.
Titans of the Deep (TV-G, Prime Video): This 3-part documentary series follows the evolutionary history of whales and how they live, hunt, and thrive in the oceans today. While mostly well-done, it does include a short segment on experiments conducted on dolphins in captivity, something that both the filmmaker and IMMP oppose.
Born to Be Free (TV-14, Netflix): This documentary follows free-diving journalists as they explain the international marine wildlife trade and the many devastating perils and atrocities associated. They focus on 18 beluga whales trapped in tanks on the coast of the Black Sea, describing the extremely poor treatment cetaceans living in captivity receive around the world. IMMP was part of the US coalition, mentioned in the film, that blocked the export of the 18 beluga whales to US aquariums, where they would have been bred in captivity and taught to do tricks for their food.
Mission Blue (TV-G, Netflix): This documentary tells the story of legendary marine biologist and conservationist Dr. Sylvia Earle as she attempts to protect our oceans amidst numerous threats. In the Galapagos, she gathers a team of conservation experts from numerous backgrounds to make her dream a reality. Dr. Earle is joined by actor and editor of “The Cove”, Fisher Stevens, both colleagues of IMMP.
Fall From Freedom (TV-14, Prime Video): This documentary dives into the history of the captive whale and dolphin entertainment business by revealing the dark secrets of aquariums and marine parks around the world. Features an interview with IMMP Executive Director David Phillips about our Keiko effort. A film by IMMP’s colleague, Stan Minansian.
Sharkwater (TV PG, YouTube): In this documentary, Rob Stewart reveals the stark judgments and stigmas around sharks, aiming to reveal their beauty and nonviolent nature. Similarly, the film dives into the illegal shark poaching business and the great discrimination faced by these animals.
Sharkwater Extinction (TV-PG, YouTube and Prime Video): In this sequel, Rob Stewart deepens his examination of the illegal shark poaching business by diving into the industries of the shark finning business. Sadly, Stewart died in a diving accident while filming this sequel.
Also look through the International Ocean Film Festival’s website to watch groundbreaking films on numerous ocean issues and stories: http://intloceanfilmfest.org
When making these crafts, opt to use paper and supplies from your recycling or your trash to reduce your waste and resource consumption.
Dolphin Bananas: http://onehandedcooks.com.au/recipe/no-cook-dolphin-bananas-for-kids/
Rock Painting: Collect some walks on a walk outside and bring them home to paint.
Origami Dolphins: How to make an easy Origami Dolphin step by step (great for kids!):
Moby Dick by Herman Melville: This classic follows the story of whalers in the 1800s as they hunt “Moby Dick”, the infamous sperm whale that bit off their captain’s leg. Sailing around the world, the whalers learn about the immense power of the ocean and its inhabitants and about cautions trying to tame it.
Voices in the Ocean by Susan Casey: This book investigates the wide spectrum of humans’ relationships with dolphins, from studying cultures in which they are holy, to the dolphin slaughters in Japan. Casey aims to reveal the inherent connection humans have with dolphins. A chapter features IMMP’s work in Japan against dolphin hunts.
The Sea Around Us by Rachel Carson (author of the famous Silent Spring): In this book , Rachel Carson, one of the most pivotal environmental authors of the 20th century, describes the formation and existence of our world’s oceans. She illustrates the various animals and habitats below the ocean’s surface and explains how they interact with each, their role in the greater global system, and how humans are posing a threat to their biodiversity.
Plastic Ocean: How a Sea Captain’s Chance Discovery Launched a Determined Quest to Save the Oceans by Captain Charles Moore and Cassandra Phillips: Like the film, Plastic Ocean describes the overarching threat that plastic pollution poses to our oceans by studying plastic gyres, specifically the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. The authors take the readers on a journey describing the science and research being done about how plastic is harming our oceans and their wildlife.
Dolphin Rescue: A True Story of Tom and Misha (Born Free) by Jinny Johnson: This children’s novel (age 9-11) follows the true story of releasing dolphins Tom and Misha from captivity on the Mediterranean coast and rehabilitating them to return to the wild. The book is a part of the Born Free series that supports the Born Free UK charity that fights for animal rights and freeing animals from captivity.
A Whale of a Tale!: All About Porpoises, Dolphins, and Whales (Cat in the Hat's Learning Library Series) by Bonnie Worth and Aristides Ruiz: In this children’s book, Dr. Suess’ famous Cat in the Hat heads out to sea to teach his friends about whales, dolphins, and porpoises and see them first hand. This marine classic is both fun and educational and appropriate for all ages.
The Boy and the Whale by Mordicai Gerstein (ages 4-7). This book follows the story of a fisherman and his son that stumble upon a whale entangled in fishing nets. His son decides to try to free the entangled whale, setting him off on a journey to saving the whale.
Check out TED talks about the ocean, climate change, and marine mammals on TED’s “Ocean Wonders” playlist: https://www.ted.com/playlists/7/ocean_wonders
Take a Virtual Tour of Catlin Seaview Survey to see their 360 degree view of some of the world’s coral reefs: https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/catlin-seaview-survey?hl=en
Learn about dolphin communication in this lecture from Marcelo Magnasco:
Learn some fun facts about various cetaceans on the American Cetacean Society’s fact sheets: https://www.acsonline.org/fact-sheets or look through their student’s page to continue your child’s education from home: https://www.acsonline.org/students
Send your children to the Ocean Initiatives Virtual Marine Biology Camp: https://oceansinitiative.org/virtual-marine-biology-camp-videos-more/
