- David Attenborough turns 99 on 8 May
- The biologist and presenter marked his birthday with a new documentary
- David Attenborough: Ocean explores the importance of the ocean and its recovery time
Sir David Attenborough has reached the milestone of 99 years old. In order to mark the special occasion, the biologist and presenter has released his cinematic documentary. David Attenborough: Ocean explores the power of our Earth’s oceans and how their recovery time can help heal the environment.
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In the trailer for the documentary, Attenborough says, “After living for nearly a hundred years on this planet, I now understand the most important place on Earth is not on land, but at sea”.
He also expresses the discoveries made at the ocean and how they impact Earth, and he describes it as “our planet’s life support system” and “our greatest ally against climate catastrophe”. However, human damage to the ocean through fishing, littering, and oil drilling is evident.
What happened with the David Attenborough Documentary release?
They held the premiere at the Royal Festival Hall in London. Among Attenborough were many celebrities in attendance. Notably, King Charles attended and posed alongside Attenborough in black-tie attire.
The King of England even told Attenborough he “couldn’t believe” it was his 99th birthday. Charles is 23 years younger at 76.
Toby Nowlan, the producer for Ocean, said of the documentary, “This is not about seeing brand new natural history behaviours. It is the greatest message he’s ever told“.
There is a focus in the documentary on Attenborough’s almost 99 years on Earth and how the discoveries that we have made during that time about the ocean have advanced.
Furthermore, Attenborough uses anecdotal evidence to stress the changes in the ocean over time. Attenborough reflects on his first 1957 scuba dive, saying he was “taken aback” by the ocean.
Primarily, the documentary focuses on opening our eyes to the damage humans have done to the ocean and its floor. In one clip, there is footage of bottom trawling. Large nets are used along the sea bed and floor to catch multiple fish.
But it’s not the capturing of the fish that does the damage. It’s the trawlers that scrape the ocean floor and leave behind damage in their wake.
“It’s hard to imagine a more wasteful way to catch fish,” Attenborough says of the practice.
The documentary offers hope to a new generation
However, Attenborough’s documentary does offer some hope, as the next portion focuses on the ocean and its ability to recover. In a similar story, Attenborough recalls that the ban on commercial whale hunting in the 1980s restored his hope.
Before that, whale hunters had damaged many species, particularly Blue whales, which remain largely endangered.
One of the film’s directors, Keith Scholey, spoke fondly of Attenborough. He and the biologist have worked together for 44 years!
“Every time you work with David, you learn something new,” Scholey said.
He continued, “It’s really good fun. But also, David keeps you on your mettle, because he is so on his mettle and so, you know, it’s always a very creative process.”
Oceans is in theatres now.
