The 97-minute documentary film ‘ALBATROSS’ was offered by film-maker Chris Jordan as a “permanent gift to the world” on World Oceans Day, 8 June 2018, when it was screened at the United Nations.  Now Chris Jordan is lending his support to the first World Albatross Day on 19 June by allowing the Albatross and Petrel Agreement to feature his movie on its website, making it readily accessible to anyoe who wishes to show it as part of their own celebration of ‘WAD2020’.

ALBATROSS was filmed over several years  the USA’s Midway Atoll in the North Pacific, concentrating on the ingestion of plastic artefacts by ACAP-listed and globally Near Threatened Laysan Albatrosses Phoebastria immutabilis.

Chris writes on the film’s website: “The journey of ALBATROSS began in 2008 as a collaboration with my friend, activist/photographer Manuel Maqueda.  Studying the newly emerging issue of ocean plastic pollution, we learned of a stunning environmental tragedy taking place on a tiny atoll in the center of the vast North Pacific Ocean.  We immediately began planning an expedition there, and on our first trip to Midway Island in September of 2009, we and our team photographed and filmed thousands of young albatrosses that lay dead on the ground, their stomachs filled with plastic.  The experience was devastating, not only for what it meant for the suffering of the birds, but also for what it reflected back to us about the destructive power of our culture of mass consumption, and humanity's damaged relationship with the living world.”

With his welcome agreement to share his film with ACAP, Chris has written to ACAP Latest News: “I support WAD2020 because albatrosses are magnificent sentient beings who deserve our loving stewardship.”. Amen to that!

With thanks to Chris Jordan.

Posted 23 April 2020