Francois Sarano

 

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herbourg, France, August 2010

 

Oceans, between hope and disappearance

 

Today I am meeting a flock of gulls.  They are going to show me the strange architecture of the Cherbourg Liner terminal in Normandy in Northwestern France. 

 

Large ships, like the Queen Mary 2, still come from time to time to relive the amazing past of this history filled building.  Even the Titanic stopped in before sinking in the middle of the Atlantic. 

 

I leave my friends outside after checking out several scientific submarines, each stranger than the previous because we are here at La Cité de la Mer (city of the sea), a great place for sea lovers.  It is the film “Oceans” that interests me, and one of the key scenes of this documentary was even filmed here. 

 

Everyone seems to be fascinated, especially the kids, and they barely notice me.  I take my time watching videos and following on the giant map the 54 sites where this monumental film was shot. 

 

My friend, Francois Sarano, a member of our panel of experts and one of the first to believe in Eco-Sys Action, made a large contribution to this film.  It is he who is alone in front of and swims with a Great white shark.  What an awe inspiring scene that really demonstrates how we should have greater tolerance of sharks!  Admirable and and moving when Francois swims with this sea “monster.”  You can feel his passion for the sea and this makes him one of the best ambassadors for sharks. 

 

More strong emotions seeing this life sized reproduction of a Steller's sea cow.  Not very well known this animal, is it?  And for a reason, since it was massacred in the 18th century for its flesh, fat and skin.  This giant cousin of the dugong lived in the Arctic, close to the Bering Strait, but was rapidly hunted to extinction.  And this Caribbean monk seal? Gone!  And this sea turtle?  Protect it as quickly as possible!   

 

As I sit on this Steller's sea cow, so symbolic, I remember the message from “Oceans”: “the Earth does not belong to us, it is to share.  Anything is possible.”

 

See the Oceans trailer at: