Thank you to Noah Doughty, Biology teacher at Mission College Preparatory who sent us the following letter and comments:
To Rob Stewart and all the others involved with the SHARKWATER film, website and related projects
I recently showed the movie Sharkwater in my biology classes and my students were greatly impressed with the movie and wanted to find out more. As a follow up assignment I asked the students to email me with their comments and questions after watching the movie. I’ve left spelling and grammar unchanged. I realize that you are busy and probably do not have time to reply to all, but we did want to send you the message that the movie was watched, awareness was raised, and many of the students want to know how they can help.
Thank you for such an amazing film,
Noah Doughty
Biology Teacher
Mission College Preparatory
Dear Rob Stewart,
I have swam with dolphins, beluga whales, played with seals, put my hand up to a polar bear’s paw and have had an extremely fishy encounter with a 5,000 pound walrus. But out of everything that I have done I never ever thought about swimming with sharks. Before I saw your movie, Shark Water, I wasn’t terrified of sharks but more apprehensive of them. I have heard many stories of them and saw Jaws at a young age. Here in San Luis Obispo, my mom’s old teacher was killed because a shark bit her. She was swimming with the seals, wearing fins and a black wet suit, and since she was swimming with them she probably looked like she was an old seal. Once word got out about it, many people were terrified about what had happened and scared to hear that we had a Great White Shark living in our ‘perfect’ little ocean. People were terrified because they think that sharks will kill anything that comes in site, when really they won’t unless they feel threatened. After I saw your movie, I left the movie feeling that I now know more about sharks than anything else and that I want to help save these creatures from the long-line fishing and fin hunting that goes on illegally. I feel that your movie had affected my entire freshman class in a good way. Now that we know what is going on we can help others like yourself, by spreading the word about what is going on in Costa Rica and the Galapagos Islands. We can also help educate people about sharks and help them better understand the sharks. I know that many of my class mates (including myself) would love it if you could take the time out of your busy schedule to come and visit our school. You could give a talk to the entire school at one of our pep rallies or just talk to the freshman Biology classes Your talk would definitely help the students in my school better understand sharks and to let them know what is going on since the only classed that have seen your movie are the sophomores and freshman. Either way, your coming to the school would help us better understand. Thanks!
I wanted to know why you wanted to tell people why sharks were going extenct and what inspiried you to tell people?
I learned so many things for the movie. Some of them are that sharks can actually be nice and that only 5 people a year are killed by sharks. Another thing is that people kill sharks only for their fins and they just throw the rest of the body back in the ocean. An the last thing is that their is not enough people to tell someone that this is wrong what people are doing killing sharks, whales, and sea turtles. I think it is crew. I was so inspired that you guys tried to make a difference for the sharks, and whales. Now I am less scared of sharks.
I really liked the movie and how it portrayed that sharks were actually good creatures. I never knew that sharks were scared of us and that they rarely hurt humans. Thank you for making me aware of the situation.
Also: Would any of you want to swim with great white sharks? And How did it make you feel when you were arrested?
These are my comments and questions for the the Sharkwater’ Robert Stewart.
1. How long can you hold your Breathe?
2.Are you still trying to save the Sharks?
3. What is the largest and biggest Shark that you evr swim with?
1. I think that its great that you were trying to make a differnce and that it worked.
2. Also tht you are so cool to be able to actually jump in to the the water with shartks and still know how to not be scaried.
3.And your movie was so moving that it makes me want to join a sharks organization.
I really enjoyed the movie Sharkwater. I thought it was really well made, with some very interesting facts. The movie did a great job of educating people, and I think my classmates and I learned the truth about sharks. Questions: Why aren’t the other parts of the shark taken? How did they acquire the facts? Where does most shark finning take place? What kinds of sharks are mostly used?
I liked the movie and changed my opinion on how I look at sharks forever.But there are a few thing that I didn’t understand. For instance: Why are the Sea Shepherds called radicals and ecoterrorists? Shark Fin Soup is so bad for publicity why have the demand for sharks increased in the last year? and finally, Why don’t you get along with green peace when you are both striving for the same goal?
I liked this movie a lot. It really showed the truth, and had a good moral or message.
Also I was wondering if you could come visit or Biology class at Mission and teach us more about the shark matters and tell us more about how we can get more involved in taking action to help?
• I thought the movie was great and very informing
• The movie wants to make me help make a difference
• The movie really opens the eyes of the public, and shows them what is really going on which is good
• How long did it take to film the entire movie?
• How much annual money is made from people who donate money?
• How many ships do you have doing different things to help the animals?
• Are there/ going to be more movies like shark water?
• How much time was spend filming in the water?
• Did you ever hear anything more for the Costa Rican Coast Guard?
• Was Shark Water ever in the theaters?
Thank you for creating such an insightful movie! I was extremely shocked as I watched all those innocent sharks and other sea creatures being killed with no mercy. I wish there could be a quick and easy way to end that suffering. Isn’t there another way fishermen could make money? Catching and selling a vast species of another fish? I don’t understand why they don’t juts replace the shark fins with something else, especially when they say all it does is add texture. What could we introduce to them as substitute? Thanks to your movie I will definitely keep trying to help this cause and hopefully bring more awareness to it somehow.
Dear Rob Stewart,
My 9th grade class just watched your movie, Sharkwater. The poaching of these poor animals that are very misinterpreted is very sad. My dad owns a house in southern Costa Rica and we never knew of these criminal killings of these poor animals for a senseless soup. I have never been afraid of sharks and my dad has swam with a whale shark and he told me it was breath taking. i hope to make people realize that sharks are great animals of the sea and should not be destroyed.
What is the most beautiful thing about sharks?
Is there a place were you can be taught the right and wrong things to do when swimming with sharks?
How many years have you been on the Sea Shepherd?
Is there a way for you to possibly send some of your men to come and talk to our class?
I want to say thank you for educating me about sharks. to be honest, i LOVE the ocean, but never go in it because i had a fear of sharks. now, not only do i enjoy the ocean now, but i love sharks. ive already petitioned for 3 different petitions,and donated to seashepards. i do have one question though…what do you do with the money people have donated?
Dear Mr. Stewart,
I have been fascinated by sharks ever since I was little so, naturally, I loved your movie Sharkwater. It opened up my eyes to the magnitude of the shark finning industry and the massive amounts of resources behind it. Since seeing the movie I have told my family about it and they are interested in saving sharks too. Sharks are amazing animals and pose so little threat to humans that we have almost no reason to fear them. If more movies like Sharkwater are made that show how good sharks are for the oceans and the earth as a whole, people will become more passionate about saving sharks. We need sharks more than we know and people need to realize that before it is too late.
Dear Rob Stewart, I really learned a lot from watching your movie. Before I watched the movie I was afraid of sharks and thought they would really harm us. Now that I have watched the movie, I am not that afraid of sharks and I think it would be fun to swim with them. I also learned how bad people are harming sharks and killing them. It made me think of ways I can help stop the harm people do to sharks.
Dear Rob Stewart and the Sharkwater Crew,
Your movie Sharkwater has really opened my eyes to the problem of shark fining. I am an animal lover and luckily I have had the chance to go cage diving and see the greatness of sharks. I was mystified by how calm and curious the sharks were and I loved being in the water with them so up close. Everything your movie explained about sharks being
stereotyped is perfectly right. People are so scared to be next to sharks even though they are amazing creatures that are so misunderstood. I am very happy that you have made this movie to spread this important information to people. To see all different kinds of views on this problem was really intriguing. In the summer of 2007, I took a trip with my family to China and unfortunately we went to huge restaurants that sold shark fin soup. In one restaurant we had our own private room with our host family and their friends. Around the end of the meal the ominous bowl of soup appeared and no one would tell me what it was. My mom knew it was very important and it would be rude to not try it and it was nasty. I was so angry that no one told me and kind of thankful because I probably would have chucked at someone. Explaining that the soup was a symbol of riches is totally fitting because where we were was very nice and probably expensive for the host family and their friends. But now that I have watched your movie I am very annoyed about what happened, and you revealed to me that with that bowl and all the other bowls in that restaurant there were many sharks that were killed to make that gross soup. Thank you for making a very moving and inspirational movie. I will definitely be following your work in the future. I will absolutely spread the knowledge I have learned from your movie. How else can I help your cause? Thanks you for all your hard work and I loved your movie very much!
I really enjoyed your movie, Sharkwater. I had no idea that people where illegally fishing sharks and other marine animals, and at such high rates! I also didn’t know that shark fin was at such high of demand around the world.I really appreciate and applaud your efforts on educating people on topics that many people don’t even know of.
I liked the movie and it gave me a new perspective on how I think of sharks that is for sure. I thought the movie was sad but worth while. I overall enjoyed it. Thanks.
Before watching your movie “Sharkwater” I had been afraid of sharks, but now after watching your movie I’m not scared of them anymore. Thank you for helping their species stay alive.
I never knew about shark finning before and it was a real eye-opener. I have had a fear of sharks and the movie helped me know that they aren’t just animals waiting to kill a human once they enter the water. I think it is really cool what you guys are doing! I have two questions though. Do as many dolphins get killed as sharks for their fins? Why do they only take the fins of the sharks and not the rest of the body?
Sharkwater
• The movie Sharkwater was a very eye opening movie that totally changed the way that I viewed sharks. Before, I was afraid of sharks (for reasons explained in the movie) . But now I really understand the sharks’ way of life and that they are not dangerous at all. I actually hope to one day be able to swim with a shark. They are totally misunderstood creatures who have been around for so long and are now being killed off for their fins. I am so glad that organizations such as Sea Shephard stand up for sharks and I hope that many people can, like me, see this film and see for themselves how sharks are innocent and see what we are doing to the shark population.
• The movie was very well done, for it hit us with a strong message and it totally converted me to side with the sharks.
• What can I do to help the sharks and prevent finning?
• I also think that there should be movies for other animals in the ocean along with sharks because a lot of other sea creatures are going through similar problems.
• Are the people of the Sea Shephard constantly on the move to stop poachers?
• Why doesn’t the government fund such expeditions of the Sea Shephard?
I thought the movie opened up many people’s eyes to problems we’ve never heard of before. It was very informational, which I think is key for a movie spreading awareness. I have two questions. How many shark bites are there per year?
How did Rob get into that shark fin warehouse?
I was definitely moved by this movie. I feel that maybe if the creators of it advertise it some more, more people would see it, and get the same message that we did.
Why doesn’t Greenpeace tell people the facts about sharks and the other animals they protect? I feel that if they told people these facts, then people wouldn’t view their acts as piracy, but as justice for the animals. Thanks!
How did you get the footage of the ships illegally hunting and killing sharks? I really liked the movie and I learned a lot about shark-finning. Are you scared when you swim with sharks? What happens to the sharks’ bodies after they are thrown back into the ocean? Has the US banned shark finning yet?
The movie Sharkwater has completely changed my perspective on sharks, and I am very grateful for that. I grew up as one of the people that the media has influenced to be afraid
of sharks, because i was shown Jaws at the age of 5. This movie made me terriefied of sharks and almost made me not want to go in the ocean anymore. Before i watched the movie last week, I was still scared of sharks. Through seeing the inhumane treatment of these sharks, I was outraged and felt like I needed to do something. I had heard of shark finning before, but I had no idea that it was as bad as it is. Today, I feel like I would want to swim with sharks and help to protect our under sea brothers. The only question I have is, how do can I specifically get active and help the cause? What would you have me do? Thank you for making such a moving and inspirational movie, keep up the good work.
Question 1. How many types of sharks are there are which ones have been the most changed by long-line fishing and shark finning?
2.How old was Stewart when he first began his career of photographing sharks?
3.What are the states that have banned shark finning?
4.Do sharks die more from long line fishing or shark finning?
Comments: I didn’t realize the stereotype that had been used to show sharks as dangerous and so I’m really glad I watched this video. I hope the United States was not a state that did long line fishing and now I feel better about going in the water now.
I really liked this movie. Before I saw this movie I was afraid of sharks and never wanted to see a shark in real life. After I saw this movie I saw how sharks are actually not as bad as a thought they were. This movie was really interesting and I like it a lot! I believe what the people in Sharkwater is a really good thing and they should keep doing it. I hope that the people in other countries stop killing sharks and make it illegal to kill and fin sharks.
I am very pleased that my class, the public, and I were able to watch Sharwater. I think that its very important that during a time where unjustly action are happening that we are shown the truth and that we must stand against injustices. I was also happy that Sharkwater is working to preserve the actual image of what sharks really are, how their essential to our oceans, and to help better educate the public. I hope that the shark killings that are happening become a big uproar and that you are able to take your sharkwater campaign to a much bigger political level like the UN. You have my appreciation of the movie and your campaign and best of luck in the shark water.
dear, people from sharkwater I enjoyed your movie. I really understand the life of a shark now. I never would have thought an elephant would have mre kills than a shark. Also I did not know that the hammer head shark had no record of killing a human. It must feel great being that close to an animal that every one calls a killer. A way that I think we wcould stop shark finnign is cutting down the valuableness, pting
sharks in a remote area where no one can kill them. keep up the good work.
Shark Water to me was one of the best animal documentaries I have ever seen. It showed the cause and effect of shark finning and made you want to donate to the cause to help stop it. If only it could be showed to countries that have legalized it. Paul Watson needs to keep it up and help make people more aware of how they are affecting these creatures who were here before humans were.
Sharkwater,
I really enjoyed your movie. I didnt have any idea what was happening to sharks until I saw your movie. It was done very well and it expressed the urgency of this problem. I hope that a lot people saw this movie and that we can stop shark finnig.
These are my comments on the movie Sharkwater.
I thought the movie Sharwater was very well made and it completely changed my view of sharks and the ocean. I also think that this movie was definatley affective and it was a major eye opener for everyone who watched it. It is one of the best documentaries i have seen so far and thank you for making it because I think we all need to see the truth about these so called “monsters”, but which are really one of the most endangered animals on the planet.
Dear Mr. Stewart,
My 9th Grade Biology class recently watched your movie, Sharkwater, I had no idea about the plight of sharks and the disgusting industry of shark finning. I love the ocean and I hope to be a Marine Biologist one day so this movie really affected me. After watching this movie my friend and I signed petitions banning shark finning and long lining, wrote letters to the U.S. Government requesting that they try to do something and we plan to write to the Taiwanese Government about shark finning as well. I would like to thank you for opening our eyes, I think that if enough people see your movie it can really make a difference and I hope it can. I hope that I can work aboard the Sea Shepherd once I am old enough, I want to do everything I can. So thank you so much for informing me and hopefully many other people about sharks kind nature, and shark finning.
• How did you obtain the footage of all the sharks being finned?
• Where else is shark finning prevalent?
• Where are the the shark preserves?
• How can I help?
I really enjoyed your film, and it really opened my eyes…thanks!
This movie was interesting and inspiring. How many sharks are living in the world currently?
Can you possibly come and talk to our school? I really like “Sharkwater” and up until now I have thought they were extremely scary!
Questions: How many different species of sharks are endangered?
How long did the movie take to film?
Was all the footage of sharks in the movie taken by him?
Does he think sharks will eventually not be thought of as evil?
Was he scared of sharks growing up at all?
Comments: Great movie, it made me aware of their situation.
Dear Rob Stewart,
Thank you for making the movie Sharkwater. Not only did this movie
open my eyes to the problem of finning around the world, but it also
showed me the beautiful, elegant and non-aggresive disposition that
sharks have. This movie showed my class and I the wonder and beauty of
the ocean through amazing cinematography, so thanks again.
It was very powerful and eye opening to see what goes on that destroys species of animals and while I do have a problem with the finning industry, I have no problems with farming sharks for fins/meat.
Rob Stewart, In my ninth grade biology class, we recently wathed your documentary. I couldnt belive what has been going on and ive never even heard of it on the news or anything. Ive heard the term “shark finning” before, but ive never really known what it is and the effect it has on the shark population. As I watched your documentary, my mouth was wide open in shock! Ive found groups that are against shark finning and i joined one. I hope that i can help make a difference as you have. Thank you for opening my eyes to something that was unknown at first.
Ps, Keep up the amazing work Rob!
How fast do sharks swim? What do they feel like? When is their mating season? How many different species of sharks are there? How long do they live? How big can sharks grow? Is it true sharks don’t like the taste of human blood? I liked the movie. Its really influenced my life. It changed my mind about how I think about sharks.
Sharkwater: you made an excellent film that greatly influenced my life. i never thought the finning industry was that bad. some questions: How can I help Raise awareness? how can i be able to dive with sharks? and is there a way for me to join the Sea Shepard? thanks again for the amazing film.
I think that you should come to our classroom and give us a lecture/speech.
I think that the slaughter of any marine animal is cruel, regardless. However, the whaling and shark finning industries are especially cruel and need to be stopped.
Why doesn’t the International Whaling Committee people close the gap on research or put a limit on the kills? And why don’t they enforce their laws? They basically don’t even exist because without punishment there is no impetus to stop whaling or shark finning.
Did you ever return to Costa Rica after the movie?
How many sharks do you think you have saved with the video?
Dear Mr. Stewart,
Your movie was very inspiring and had a big impact on me. It made me realize the cruel things these “finners” were doing to these sharks, and also that sharks are naturaly peaceful. I want to help and I also have a few questions.
Is there anyway in my future I can join SeaShepard?
What was it like being “wanted” by the Vietnamese shark mafia?
What was it like being bed-ridden and not swimming with sharks?
The movie showed me that sharks are just friendly and curious giants that don’t want to hurt us! People make so much stuff up that it has really blinded society. Sadly sharks are the victims of the situation, being finned for a soup that has no flavor. The world needs to wake up. And you did that to me. Now, I am no longer afraid of them. I will swim with them if I have to
I thought the movie was really sad but that it was important for people to see it. I have always loved the ocean and all the cool fish and other animals including sharks. But I will admit to being a little afraid of them. Now im not very scared but I have no desire to swim with the seals in open water! I just have a few questions: How many species of sharks were there and how many are left? How many people
does Sea Shepherd have working for it? And what do you think the future of the sharks will be? Will people stop fishing them?
Hi, i thought that the shark movie was very interesting and also a great message. I didn’t even know that shark finning existed.
What can be done to help with the message that shark finning is wrong?
Dear Rob Stewart,
Thank you for making the movie Sharkwater. I thought it was a very informative movie and raised awareness about the wrongful massacre of sharks. Most people have the wrong idea about sharks, and because i live by the ocean i hear a lot of “horror” stories where people are torn apart and eaten by sharks. But the truth is that an extremely small number of people are killed by every sharks every. I think people have a hard time accepting that because of the bad rap given them by the media. People need to realize that the massacre of sharks as an unnecessary ingredient for soup is wrong and needs to stop.
Why did the authorities in Costa Rica chase you out when you with Sea Shepherd?
How did shark fins originally end up in soup?
If fins have no taste, why do people eat them in soup?
I believe that Sharkwater was a really good movie. It definatley changed my view on sharks in a big way and other sea animals. I also think that more people should watch this movie to see that sharks are not as dangerious as we think. I’m wondering are all sharks afraid of humans or are some not afraid or not as afraid of humans? Thank you for the movie and keep up the good work of saving the sharks.
How can people be more active than just donating to stop shark finning?
Dear sharkwater people,
you have changed my whole view on sharks. I had no idea that sharks are geting close to being extinct. I luved sharks when i was little but I was too afraid to swim with them. I had no idea about the shark finning and if there is any way i can help i would like to know. Also i have a ? How can sombody my age (15) swin with sharks?
I thought that the movie was great!! I did,however, want to know how they got all of their footage back, I thought the Costarican gov. took it?? And did they get arrested for sneaking back in to Costa Rica after avoiding arrest? I think it would be awesome if he could come to our school and talk about the sharks!!!!!
how long can you hold your breath for? How many different shark species are there? how long can sharks be out of water?
What is the smallest shark?
I really enjoyed this movie. It was fasinating but also terrifying that shark finning has been destroying a species and marine ecosystems. I think it was well worth the time spent watching the film and hope I can share it with many more. A question: how long has green peace/sea shephard been around and protecting our greatest resources? Anyway thanks for showing us the movie.
I thought that the movie made a amazing effort to get the word about shark finning out there. it was a really touching movie, and i liked to see that people were doing something to fight against the tragedy. So thank you Mr. Doughty for showing me this video.
Questions:
-How did you get such good footage and publish the movie without getting in further trouble with Costa Rica?
-How long has Rob been swimming with sharks? Was he ever afraid?
-Have any nations, states, countries, or even cities banned the consumption of shark products?
-Were more than 2 sharks killed in the time it took for me to write this email?
Comments:
-I am glad we got a chance to watch this because I am aware of the assumptions about sharks and how they are flawed.
-Prior to viewing the movie, I would never considered swimming with sharks. But seeing Rob and the sharks reactions together showed me that something like that is possible. Now, I think that I would swim with sharks. Not necessarily anywhere, and definitely not by myself, but I am less afraid of approaching them.
-I thinks that it is sad that society has come to view one of the longest lasting, most historic animals ever in such a negative way
-By the way, I am strongly against long line fishing and finning, 100x more than I was before.
-THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The movie made me realize that sharks really aren’t horrible killers like everybody portrays them. They are just fighting for survival. I have never eaten shark-fin soup, and I can assure you that I never will. I think it is really sad how all of these sharks are being killed, especially whale sharks and great whites. I hope that in the future, America can discover that we don’t really need to kill sharks in order to feel powerful or get money. We can feel powerful by not killing them and protecting them for the future generations.
In the movie I liked how they showed everything and how they tried so hard to achieve their goal.
Dear Rob Stewart,
I really enjoyed the movie “Sharkwater”. Before you set out on your mission to open the eyes of the public about how sharks are not dangerous but beautiful creatures, i was actually one of those people. I thought sharks were dangerous creatures who needed to be killed so it could make the oceans a safer place. After I have seen many statistics and footage on how cruel humans are to not only sharks but other species in the ocean and around the world, it makes me ashamed. It seems as if humans are always the ones who decide who stays alive and who should be killed. I admire the risk that you are taking in your journey to help ocean life, despite the chance of being rejected. The sharks don’t have a voice in all of this and u speak for them by petitioning.
1. are there any poisonous sharks?
2. how many sharks(approximately) are alive now?
3. can they eat people when they are hungry?
4. how small is the smallest shark?
Rob Stewart is brave, compassionate, and persistent. After watching his movie Sharkwater, I was inspired to stand up for and contribute to more causes that I believe in. Sharkwater was an informative and overall beautiful film, the underwater cinematography was amazing and I felt privileged as a young individual to be exposed to and informed of the the violent killings of these sharks for their fins, but also being informed of what we can do to help. Thank you for changing the way I feel about overall marine wildlife and thank you for taking away the only fear I ever felt in the water which was towards sharks.
• i thought that the movie was really good an showed us what sharks really are instead of just the general idea of what people think they are
• i think that people will want to start saving sharks once they watch this movie
• I liked the movie a lot and think it should be shown to students in other schools
I really liked the movie Sharkwater and it really changed my perspective of sharks. Sharks are always portrayed on TV as mindless killers but now I know their not. My favorite part was when you were on the Sea Shepard and was attacking the poacher’s boat. I really learned a lot about sharks and I thought it was one of the most moving movies I have ever seen.
In sharkwater I enjoyed how they portrayed sharks as misunderstood creatures, and not the vicious monsters that they are commonly seen as. I also enjoyed learning about the shark fin mafia, whom I didn’t know existed
1:How are sharks able to survive Ocean pressure? 2:Is it scary to fight for Green Peace? I liked the movie, I look at sharks COMPLETELY differently.
I thought the movie was great.
How many species of sharks are their?
How long do sharks live for?
When will sharks become extinct if we change nothing about the shark finning laws?
Over how many years of research did it take to find out and produce all of this information?
The movie really informed me about what is going on in the world and how nothing is being done to put an end to all of this
I don’t speak english. I’m colombian but I am very impressed with the documentary about sharks. I think as a species we are wrong and do not wish to correct our mistakes. I know that my country does nothing to prevent this catastrophe and I want to know I can do to save sharks found in Colombian waters. I am a member of an NGO and want to help. because this situation is intolerable. thanks for your work and trying to save the planet, for saving this species is maintaining the balance and the ecosystem that supports it. I need more information. Ricardo Suárez from colombia
Thank you for educating the people about the plight of the shark in todays world.
Yea, that was my class