CATCH IT IF YOU CAN! EEC students' film highlights sustainable local fishing

On Monday 22 March, environmental group Transition Town Exmouth is to host a special screening of Think Deep, a film focusing on the future of East Devon’s fishing heritage.

Created as a resource for secondary schools in the region, the film aims to bring the undersea world of the South West into the classroom. A collaborative project between Exmouth Community College and Natural England, it was produced by local media company Pangaea TV. Through the investigation of local fishing practices, the students explore issues of environmental, economic and social sustainability and discover how local fishing businesses strive to achieve best practice in these areas.

The film, featuring stunning underwater footage shot by Blue Planet cameraman Doug Anderson, is presented by three Exmouth Community College students, and stars local celebrity chef Michael Caines, whose restaurant boasts two Michelin stars. Challenged to find out more about where the fish they eat comes from, the students investigate the local food scene, visiting local suppliers including Exmouth mussel farmer Myles Blood Smyth and local fishmonger Dave Kurley. ‘The South West has some of the best seafood in Europe,’ says Caines, ‘and I am keen to support projects which encourage young people to take a more active interest in local food and sustainability.’

Commenting on the project, East Devon District Council chair Graham Liverton said, ‘East Devon has a fishing heritage to be proud of. This film will bring this heritage into classrooms throughout the region. We all realise the need to provide food, including seafood, sustainably and it is fantastic to be able to showcase local examples of how this is currently being achieved to students throughout the South West.’

Exmouth Community College principal Tony Alexander was glad to support the project, by encouraging student participation and providing locations for filming. ‘The Council is a College partner and projects such as this give our students invaluable experience of work in a professional and very exciting sphere,’ he said.

The screening is at the Telfer Suite, Exmouth Community College (Gipsy Lane site) on Monday 22 March at 7.30pm. James Chubb, East Devon District Council Education Ranger, will introduce the film and provide a background to it. Admission is £3, including tea and biscuits. For further details contact James Chubb on 07734 568985, or email: jchubb@eastdevon.gov.uk

For more about TTE, go to Transition Town Exmouth