An Inconvenient Tooth

Bad shark movies are a lot of fun, but behind all the hyped-up mega predator nonsense, the fact of the matter that when it comes down to it, it’s us humans who are the real monsters.

In 2006, Canadian diver and cinematographer Rob Stewart set out to study sharks in the wild and understand their role in the ecosystem. During the course of filming the documentary, Rob uncovers a massive shark finning operation in Costa Rica and partners up with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society to expose the exploitation and corruption of the shark fishing industry in Costa Rica, Cocos Island and the Galapagos.

What starts out as an exploration of the shark’s role in the global ecosystem – spoiler alert, they control the populations of plankton-eating fish and plankton absorbs CO2, mitigating climate change so the sharp drop in the number of sharks has led directly to a sharp drop in the amount of plankton – becomes an adventure thriller as the powerful forces and vested interests controlling the shark fishing industry move against Rob and his colleagues. As they confront poachers, they find themselves under arrest on attempted murder charges and at the mercy of a compromised police force and corrupt court systems.

In amidst the high seas drama – and life-threatening illnesses – the film brings us some stunning underwater photography and an eye-opening look at how we treat the oceans of the planet. Far from the movie monsters they’re portrayed as, sharks are ancient custodians of our seas and though they’ve survived every mass extinction event in history there’s a real risk they won’t survive this man-made one.

If you’ve enjoyed any of the #SharkWeak3 🦈 reviews, then please give some thought to ways in which you can help support shark conservation (you can find plenty of options HERE) and keep these magnificent creatures not just on our screens but in our seas and oceans too.