New in Planet Fish

From film maker Scott Renyard, The Pristine Coast explores the connection between the plummeting wild fish stocks in British Columbia to the emergence of disease spreading salmon farms on Canada’s Sunshine Coast. Salmon farming was hailed as BC’s gold rush during the economic recession of the 1980’s. Since then, biologists like Alexandra Morton and the first nation Canadians that owe their heritage and survival to wild salmon have been fighting the government to prevent an ecological disaster. Withstanding aggressive foreign business, corrupt governments and false promises, these conservationists expose antibiotic resistant disease, parasitic lice infestation, inhumane farming practices, climate change and looming extinction across species. This film is not only relevant for a community in crisis, but has Global implications but for the animal kingdom and the future of the human race.

Saving Jaws is a thrilling and captivating documentary that follows the extraordinary journey of Ocean Ramsey, a marine biologist with an unparalleled connection to sharks.  Dubbed "The Shark Whisperer" by the media, Ocean embarks on a daring mission alongside her team of passionate marine biologists to combat the looming extinction of sharks. Over the course of 12 months, they traverse the globe, conducting crucial research and expanding conservation efforts. From celebrated scientists and PHDs to elite athletes and celebrities, diverse individuals from all walks of life join Ocean in the deep waters to experience the awe-inspiring world of sharks through free-diving with some of the most dangerous species. As they dive into the sharks' realm, the film showcases the creatures' true nature, aiming to dispel misconceptions and instill a deeper appreciation for their vital role in the delicate balance of ocean ecosystems. Saving Jaws is an empowering call to action, led by Ocean Ramsey's passion and courage, urging humanity to protect these magnificent predators and ensure a sustainable future for our oceans.

Return of the River follows the unprecedented efforts of a community to pull off the largest dam removal and river restoration project ever. The Elwha River once flowed hundreds of miles uninterrupted through the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State. After being dammed 100 years ago to facilitate the industry of the settlers, the native Salmon runs disappeared, cutting off the bloodline to a delicate ecosystem and Indian tribal population. Told as if by the river itself, the story explores the history of a conflicted community coming together to restore its natural world.

Big Fish Stories Alaska is the most absolute example of adventure fishing. Four Swedish predator fishing friends pack up their belongings with the goal to access the world’s best Pike Fishing. Armed with little more than a tent, some bear spray and a couple of canoes, the group fly out across the mountains beyond civilisation, where they’re deserted for the coming weeks. After days of paddling up the Innoko River, they arrive to the mighty Yukon to miles of flooded swampland and mosquitos. After days of gruelling survival, bear attacks and absent fish they meet a local fishing guide from a remote outpost town. What follows is perhaps the best example of trophy Pike fishing in the world, amid one of the world’s last remaining true wildernesses.

Bluefin is a film dedicated to the plight of the Bluefin Tuna. Perhaps the most powerful and desirable fish on the planet, these titans have been hammered by the recreational and commercial fishing industries for decades. The story is told out of the fishing town of North Lake in Prince Edward Island, Canada, the Tuna capital of the world and feeding ground of record sized bluefin. It explores the conflict of interests and opinions on the state of the species. We hear from the weathered fisherman of the past who played a role in the decimation of stocks from North Lake to the markets of Japan, and the scientists fearing the species endangerment. We hear from the young breed trying to make a living in sport fishing in this seemingly thriving population of Canadian fish. Can these practices create an industry of wealth in place of unsustainable mass killings? Or is the unusual presence of these fish just another indication of their demise?

Salmon Shame is an eye-opening video from conservation charity WildFish that exposes the horrors of open-net salmon farming in Scotland. Salmon has become one of the most popular dishes at restaurants and at home, but its popularity has come at a cost to the environment, fish welfare and the health of the planet. It’s time to take salmon off the menu. Say no to farmed salmon. Sign the WildFish pledge and do not buy, eat or sell farmed salmon. https://wildfish.org/project/salmon-farming/salmon-farming-pledge/

Most anglers around the world will know what an incredible fishing paradise the Florida Keys are and this fantastic film tells the story of conservation and sustainability there over the past 100 years. This unique ecosystem exists where the Gulf of Mexico, Florida Bay and the Atlantic Ocean meets and is home to a vast array of fish and wildlife species. We'll learn how the freshwater from the Everglades, one of the world's largest wetlands, directly impacts the reef systems of the Keys, which is home to over 6000 species of fish. We meet some of the dedicated conservationists who continue to inspire residents and visitors to join the movement of voluntourism and learn about some of the programs that have been developed to protect the Keys. From coral replanting to the creation of artificial reefs by scuttling ships, there are numerous active schemes that are helping to keep the environment healthy. We learn about the history of sportfishing in the Keys and Capt Will Benson explains how angling methods and attitudes have changed in recent years, especially with a much higher emphasis on catch and release. There's also some great fishing sequences as we head out with local guide, Richard Stanzcyk who manages to get a double Sailfish hook up! This is a wonderful film which shows off the Florida Keys in all its glory and highlights what an important environment it is to protect.

Fishing the Fitzroy Net Free celebrates the success of a campaign by anglers and conservationists in the Rockhampton area of Queensland, Australia that has turned the Fitzroy River system into a net free zone. The commercial netting of fish, that over the past 20 years has decimated fish numbers in the system, has now been banned and indigenous species such as Barramundi, King Threadfin and Saratoga are thriving once more. Anglers are requested to adhere to a daily limit, but seem quite happy to do so, as the size of fish they are catching is steadily increasing, as is the new business generated by fishing tourists, attracted to the area. To watch this video now, just login or register

When settlers first arrived at Lake Ontario, they found Atlantic Salmon there in quite prodigious numbers. However by the 1890's with gross overfishing and the industrialisation of the landscape man had completely wiped them out. This film charts a modern day conservation program that is trying to re-introduce a genetically related version of the species back into the lake and its river system. It is beautifully shot and combines historical archive with testimony from scientists, conservationists and anglers, all trying to re-establish The Forgotten Salmon. To watch this video now, just login or register

'Una - the One' is a powerful documentary about the 'holy river' of Bosnia-Herzogovina, the Una. This river, which the Romans found so beautiful that they named it 'The One', is home to a remarkable diversity of habitats, and an equally large diversity of fish species, including brown trout, grayling and hucho, also known as the danube salmon. These fish, which are more or less unique to the region, can grow to astonishing sizes and present a challenge to any fly angler. But like many rivers in Europe, the shadow of a proposed damming project, which would dramatically alter the river's flow, looms large, and with this one of the last unadulterated hucho habitats in the world is under threat. Can a group of passionate anglers save the river from irreparable damage?

Atlantic Salmon Lost at Sea is an incredible documentary which took 6 years to make and charts the progress of a major investigation into what happens to juvenile salmon once they leave the rivers and head to sea. Shot on land and in sea going vessels in several locations, the film sheds some light into why we are seeing reduced stocks of wild Atlantic Salmon and suggests some routes forward. Narrated by Hollywood actor Gabriel Byrne, this is must watch viewing for anyone concerned with the plight of salmon. To watch this film, login or register now

The Susitna River is the 15th largest in the USA and its watershed provides habitat for countless species, including salmon. Tourism and fishing create $200 million each year on the Susitna. The planners say that the dam is above the reach of salmon, but The Super Salmon, a tagged fish, begged to differ, completing an epic journey of 300 miles to the very headwaters of the river, dodging countless dangers and obstacles, only to swim all the way back downstream and out to sea.