Controversy about Shark Con Film also a Con?

December 7, 2009 in Activism by Emily | 3 comments

A link to this trailer was in my inbox today (thanks, Jenny). The film is called The Shark Con Film, and the main point seems to be that sharks are doing just fine, thanks, and that anyone who says otherwise is just trying to make money.

We’ve played our fair share of shark films with a different message, including Sharkwater (MF07) and Mind of the Demon (MF06).

There is an authentic controversy over the exact number of sharks killed by humans every year, but as other bloggers have noted, the trailer for The Shark Con Film is lacking on credentials and scientific evidence.

After a little detective work, I found that the production company credited with the film, Tiburon Productions LLC, is also associated with the film Summer of the Sharks and Shark Diver Magazine (SDM). Summer of Sharks is billed as an adrenaline film, and the trailer didn’t seem biased one way or the other (environmentalist or anti-). However, the editor has published that their goal is “To do our part to help sharks survive for generations to come, and to take our sport to the next level.” (Link here)

Although it’s possible that it the film will be made, I think the trailer is mostly likely a publicity stunt. What do you think?

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  1. Shark Protect’s avatar

    Shark Protect on December 14, 2009 at 11:50 pm

    This is a straight up Con on well meaning shark conservation folks who are easy to anger. The premise being if you anger shark folks by featuring a few discredited anti shark folks who work in the margins, you’ll sell a film.

    As Penn and Teller would point out – Bullshit!

    The shark conservation movement does not need to be distracted by a few eco loons who Eli Martinez has given some screen time to for $$$ and another shot at “film fame.”

    He should go back to his last job as a Rodeo Clown in Texas and stay away from sharks and the ocean.

  2. Divers in paradise’s avatar

    Divers in paradise on December 28, 2009 at 11:56 am

    Yeah,

    Eli Martinez is well known as a dive hack. His latest film is being offered so he can sell a few of his extreme shark diving trips that is all.

    It’s too bad really.

  3. The way it goes’s avatar

    The way it goes on February 20, 2010 at 5:28 am

    I actually just saw this film. All I have to say is if you’re a hater then hate, because that is all you are good for when it comes to this. I would actually like to talk to the scientist and people in charge to see if this is bull shit, not rodeo clown shit.