Al McGlashan’s new film “Life on the Line” is the first major documentary to dive into the story of the endangered Southern Bluefin Tuna and how fishing might actually be the key to saving them. As fellow advocates for all aspects of ocean conservation, Mercury Marine asked McGlashan for his thoughts on the film and the future of our oceans. Here’s what he had to say:
What inspired you to create your new film about the endangered Southern Bluefin Tuna?
“As a kid, my dad told me stories about Southern Bluefin Tuna, but I never saw one. Then in 2006, they suddenly appeared, and I managed to catch the tuna I always dreamed about at 340 pounds. Mind you; it did take me seven hours to land! Little did I know, catching that fish would set me on a journey of discovery to learn why these amazing fish had returned and what we could learn from them to improve our oceans. The more I learned, the more I needed to tell the amazing story of the Southern Bluefin Tuna.”
What do you want viewers to take away from this film?
“The key story behind ‘Life on the Line’ is that, while our oceans are in trouble, it’s not all bad news and there are species that are turning the tide. But most importantly, it’s about working together –recreationally and commercially, scientists and governments, to make a change for the better.”
What are your thoughts on the future of our ocean?
“Our oceans are certainly in trouble as the world’s population continues to swell. But the key to protecting it isn’t locking it up. Instead, it’s all about education from which comes appreciation and, ultimately, a need to protect. Anglers are the frontline and are the true custodians of the oceans we are so passionate about.”
Do you have any tips for anglers and boaters when it comes to ocean conservation?
- “Anglers need to lead the way.
- Citizen science is important. Get involved in tagging and working with researchers.
- Don’t just think sustainably. Think about making fishing better. Every time you go out to sea, you can help improve the fishery.
- Kick plastic. Don’t use disposable coffee cups or water bottles.
- Always take the time to educate kids and newcomers to the excitement of fishing and help them understand how to minimize our impact.”
Al McGlashan is passionate about all things fishing and built his business purely on his love of the outdoors. As Al puts it, ‘If you love what you do you will never have to work a day in your life!’ Al McGlashan spends about 180 days a year on the water, most of which is done on his own trailer boat – like 5 million other Aussie anglers. Despite no formal training in photojournalism, Al has built his media company revolving around his passion. McGlashan Media is now the largest fishing content provider in Australia.
