Press Releases
OPS Creates Film Short For June IWC Meeting
Boulder-June 9, 2008- The Oceanic Preservation Society (OPS) of the United States, an environmental film group with the support of the Chilean NGO Centro de Conservacion Cetacea (CCC) is releasing a short film of recently acquired covert footage of Japanese whalers slaughtering dolphins, to media groups, non government organizations (NGOs) and delegates to the 60th annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC).
In anticipation of the June IWC meeting in Santiago, and the expected bid by Japan to open coastal whaling, OPS and CCC hope to highlight Japan’s continued efforts to overturn the 1986 moratorium on commercial whaling.
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PrintSomething’s in the Water
Boulder, CO., February 17, 2008 - The OPS team set out two years ago to make a beautiful documentary film about dolphins and whales. We have, but we also came up with an epic horror film whose plot resembles that of a Steven King novel.
The fate of dolphins and humans intertwines, which led us to a secret cove hidden away in a Japanese National Park in Taiji, Japan.
On the surface, this sleepy little village appears to love dolphins and whales. Whaling began here, 400 years ago. There are statues of dolphins and whales everywhere, a whaling museum and a tour boat shaped like dolphins and whales. However this coastal village of has a very dark secret, one they don’t want the world to know about. Taiji is the site of the largest slaughter of dolphins in the world.
Human Hearts Might Save Dolphins After All
Boulder, CO., January 23, 2008 - The New York Times has broken the high mercury story recently on its front page.
The Rising, OPS’ film due for summer 2008 release, also highlights dangerous mercury levels in certain seafood, commonly thought to be safe for consumption. The NYTimes article focuses on tuna sushi, having performed independent mercury content tests on various tuna served around New York City. Also mentioned is a 2007 New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene survey, where the average level of mercury in New Yorkers’ blood was found to be three times higher than the national average.
Echoing the theme of the upcoming film, increased awareness of rising mercury levels in seafood will hopefully cause consumers to reduce consumption. The film, which depicts the slaughter of dolphins for their meat, highlights the risk of eating dolphin, and other apex predators.
Sushi and Sunshine
Boulder, CO., January 21, 2008 - Oceanic Preservation Society, executive director, Louie Psihoyos donated an electric car to his film team today, the first step in a solutions-based program to help save the oceans. Just back from his sixth visit to Japan in three years, he has radically changed his view of sushi and sunshine.
Pollution of the oceans, particularly mercury from coal-fired power plants is one of the biggest problems now facing humanity. Mercury has been rising about 2% a year. Its level has risen about 5 times since the industrial revolution. Methyl-mercury, and other pollutants bioaccumulate in our top predator fish like tuna, swordfish, shark, mackerel and tilefish. Pregnant women or women expecting to become pregnant within two years or children under six should not eat tuna, any tuna at all.
OPS Team Home Safe After Japan Horror
Boulder, CO, Nov. 12, 2007 - After documenting the dolphin and whale slaughter that runs from September to March each year, in Taiji, Japan, the 12-member Oceanic Preservation Society film team returns to their Boulder, CO studio. Their footage of an international group of professional surfers, actresses and other celebrities’ objection to the practice will be edited into the OPS film due for Summer 2008 release.