We want to thank those who came to our EDA Movie Screening on Thursday the 11th of June at Deep Dive Dubai. It was great to see you all and meet some new members!
@plasticoceans curated a bundle of award-winning documentaries for us to screen through their impact film distribution: @seepositivechange. This screening opened up important conversations about our connection to the ocean and the actions we can take to protect it.
RESCUES
The first film, @cuttingtheline follows a husband and wife team, Naude and Katja Dreyer, as they embark on a mission to rescue entangled seals along their home along the Namibian coastline and raise urgent awareness about ocean plastic pollution.
PLASTICS
The second film, Out of Plastic is a compelling 2018 short documentary directed by Cleanwave founder Line Hadsbjerg. Shot in Spain’s Balearic Islands, the 20-minute film explores the devastating presence of single-use plastics in the Mediterranean Sea. It combines stunning ocean scenery with urgent calls for environmental action.
CORAL
The third film, From the Mountain to the Sea documents the coral restoration by @wedoocean_bali – carried out together with the local community and Bali Blue Harmony.
MANGROVES
The fourth film, Return of the Mangroves signifies the global resurgence of these vital coastal ecosystems. Mangroves are making a comeback thanks to international conservation, high-tech planting (like drones), and heightened awareness of their incredible power to protect shorelines and fight climate change.
Here is all the information we shared at our EDA Movie Screening:
RESCUES (following Cutting the Line)
This raised the discussion of who to call in the UAE for marine animal rescues, or sightings.
1. @uaedolphinproject for dolphin and whale sightings (dead or alive) & @yasseaworldrradHotline
2. @dubaiturtles if you find sick or injured sea turtles & @fujenvironment’s what to do info during sea turtles nesting season
PLASTICS (following Out of Plastic)
We discussed EDA’s own Cleanup Arabia campaign; the Dubai Voluntary Diving Team’s Stuck Threads initiative on how to call them to report ghost nets; and we shared an article published in Divers for the Environment by Mohamed Almusallami et al. on the research of ingestion of marine debris in juvenile sea turtles in Abu Dhabi.
3. Cleanup Arabia
4. @dubai.voluntary.diving’s Stuck Threads Initiative
5. @b47r et al. article
CORAL (following From the Mountain to the Sea)
Here, we shared information on those who can provide coral citizen science projects, educational courses, and volunteerism within the UAE.
6. @reefcheckfoundation with EDA and @coral_watch
7. @project.reeframe by @freestyle_divers
8. @archireef.co coral reef education
9. @coralife.ae volunteering options
10. Introducing @ecocoast.global’s new Ecoreef project
MANGROVES (following Return of the Mangroves)
We shared the mangrove national parks of the UAE with educational options, kayaking tours and mangrove planting options.
11. Abu Dhabi
12. Ajman
13. Umm Al Quwain
14. Mangroves Matter with @goumbook
TRAVEL
One last short film by @allylandesphotographywas shown on how to find specialised trips with research/education, and/or a focus on photography at the forefront; as well as connecting like minded divers in the UAE looking to travel as a group to find new worldwide adventures.
15. @sundivebyronbay bucket list expeditions and research adventures & @marinemegafaunadives to support Marine Research
16. @bigfishexpeditions focus on photographing big animals & @immersivexpeditions for off-the-beaten path locations
17. @thebigbluediving based in Dubai for worldwide group adventures
Photos and Artwork by @allylandesphotography
