Ocean With David Attenborough: Documentary Premieres On World Oceans Day

On World Oceans Day, an exceptional documentary titled OCEAN WITH DAVID ATTENBOROUGH will be available for streaming on Disney+. The documentary will also air on National Geographic Abu Dhabi on June 8 and on National Geographic on June 10. This feature-length special, narrated by Sir David Attenborough, underscores the critical significance of our planet's oceans and outlines a roadmap for revitalizing these expansive, interconnected aquatic realms.

The documentary was filmed over two years and is a product of global exploration, featuring locations such as the Azores, California, Indonesia, the U.K., Liberia, Antarctica, the Mediterranean, and Hawaii. It transports viewers through the world's most extraordinary underwater environments, from sprawling kelp jungles and vibrant coral reefs to the towering seamounts of the open sea. Through its captivating visuals, the film illustrates the interconnectedness of diverse marine ecosystems and how their deterioration poses a threat to all forms of life.

Sir David Attenborough, a renowned natural historian, reflects on his experiences, stating, "My lifetime has coincided with the great age of ocean discovery. Over the last hundred years, scientists and explorers have revealed remarkable new species, epic migrations, and dazzling, complex ecosystems beyond anything I could have imagined as a young man."

He further elaborates on the film's objectives, saying, "In this film, we share those wonderful discoveries, uncover why our ocean is in such poor health, and, perhaps most importantly, show how it can bounce back to life."

The documentary not only showcases the ocean’s stunning beauty and biodiversity but also brings to light the human activities contributing to its decline. It specifically highlights the damaging effects of destructive fishing practices like dredging and bottom trawling. The latter, captured in the film with unprecedented clarity, involves dragging heavy nets across the ocean floor, causing extensive damage to marine habitats and biodiversity.

Yet, amidst these challenges, the documentary conveys a message of hope. It demonstrates the ocean's remarkable resilience and its capacity for recovery when safeguarded. By presenting effective marine protection strategies, the film underscores the urgent actions necessary to rejuvenate the ocean’s health and ensure a sustainable future for our planet.

The creation of OCEAN WITH DAVID ATTENBOROUGH was a collaborative effort, directed by Toby Nowlan, Keith Scholey, and Colin Butfield, and produced by Nowlan for Silverback Films. The project is a co-production between Silverback Films and Open Planet Studios.

Its executive production team comprises notable figures from various organizations, including Louise Pedersen and Rachel Job from All3Media International (the film's global TV distribution partner), and representatives from National Geographic, Arksen Ltd, Minderoo Productions Limited, Dynamic Planet, the Don Quixote Foundation, and The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.

This documentary, through the lens of Sir David Attenborough, not only celebrates the splendour of the ocean but also serves as a clarion call for its preservation. By combining breathtaking imagery with insightful commentary, OCEAN WITH DAVID ATTENBOROUGH aims to inspire global audiences to advocate for and contribute to the recovery of our planet's most critical and expansive ecosystem.