The+Cove

> > ** Food chain and mercury poisoning ** > > Before looking closely at the ways in which dolphins either adapt or do not adapt to particular salt-water environments, explain what Roger Payne means by his statement in the film that, ‘people and dolphins feed at the same level in the food chain’. **Draw an illustrated chart** of a ‘food chain’ that demonstrates Payne’s comment. Explain how and why dolphins in their ocean element can acquire high levels of mercury due to their position in the food chain. Where does this mercury come from, and how does it enter the food chain? Show this on your chart. > > Research Minamata Disease. Prepare a presentation on the history of this tragedy. Who was affected and why? What was done after the disease was discovered? How does this case relate to mercury poisoning today? Could this happen again? > > ** Fisheries ** > Carry out research then prepare an objectively-based report about the > Japanese fisheries supply industry. Examine its extent, size and international power and reach. How much financial revenue does it bring to the Japanese economy? Is it principally a private enterprise, a government-subsidized business or an entirely government-owned monopoly? How many people are directly and indirectly employed within this industry? To what extent are other countries around the world reliant on it? Explain whether the amount of fish harvested from the sea by the Japanese industry has risen, fallen or remained constant over many decades. Has the way in which the fisheries industry operates changed over these decades, especially in terms of harvesting techniques, size and types of boats and the use of equipment? > > Consider also the following questions: what are the most important problems facing the industry, and will these problems have an adverse effect on employment and the economy? > > Does Japan have any viable alternatives to its fishing industries, or can Japan develop new alternatives? What is the likely future for the industry? Can the current methods of ocean fishing and of stock conservation and breeding be altered to make the industry sustainable into the future? Should the rest of the world, for its own benefit, play a positive and constructive role in assisting Japan to adapt from the past to the future? Summing up, what final recommendations would you advise? > > Your report should be presented in numbered sections, using sub-headings, and where applicable you may incorporate graphs, charts and other statistical evidence. You should also include a list of print-published, film and web-based references you have drawn from. The Cove Movie Assignments: Choose one below per two people. Be creative!
 * Alternate Assignment for “The Cove”

> large crowds (as shown in // The Cove // ). You may wish to take an experimental approach by narrating the story from the dolphin’s viewpoint. Consider your choice of other characters (human and animal), conflict situations, plot development, climax and conclusion, expression of themes, and whether the story is to be a serious ‘issues-based’ drama or not. You may also think about whether your story could suitably be pitched at an audience of readers between eight and twelve years old. If aimed at young readers, consider including illustrations. capturing and training dolphins], and I spent the last thirty-five years trying to tear it down’. Explain the steps, the experiences and the processes in thinking and feeling that Ric O’Barry went through to move from one state of awareness and activity to virtually the opposite. How did his value system change? Was it an overnight revelation, or a slow process of discovery and enlightenment?
 * Taking into account what you have learnt from the film, plan and write a fiction short story about a dolphin that is captured and taken to a sea aquarium and placed on display in front of
 * During the program Ric O’Barry says, ‘I spent ten years building that industry up [i.e.

find out more about Jane Tipson and Jenny May, and write a radio current affairs commentary about each woman. What kinds of activities were they involved in, and why? What happened to them? Speculate as to why such extreme violence was taken against them. Have any suspects been questioned by the police, arrested, prosecuted and found guilty in a court of law?
 * Early in the film, Ric O’Barry refers to two activists who were murdered. Working in pairs

Rehearse and revise your script as required, then record it for playback

May. Discuss in the class the aims of and the tactical thinking behind conducting a hunger strike. In what ways is this either similar to, or different from, other kinds of protest action such as forming human barricades or sabotaging equipment? What effect do media images of actions, on television or in the newspapers, have on the general populace around the world? // radical //, as in ‘radical politics’ or ‘radical activism’. Following this, draw attention to, and lead a class discussion about the various sequences during // The Cove // that present behaviour and actions by committed environmentalists that might be considered unethical or even criminal in some instances. For example, look at the incidence of lying, spying, destroying property, smuggling, neither obeying nor respecting the laws of another country, and trespassing. Discuss whether such behaviour is justified in certain circumstances, or perhaps never justified. Consider the relevance of the statement that ‘the end justifies the means’.
 * Following from the previous activity, O’Barry refers to being on a hunger strike with Jenny
 * First, arrive at a satisfactory definition of the term,

country and committing actions such as presented in // The Cove //. Try to reverse the situation: how might American citizens react if visitors from other countries behaved in a similar way? Take into account aspects such as patriotism, national culture and pride, educated awareness of the issues, the power and influence of the media to either raise the general level of consciousness or to perpetuate a populist attitude within the general community. activities; the other criticising it.
 * Discuss what you think Japanese citizens might think of Westerners coming into their
 * Write two letters to the editor, each of 300–350 words: one praising the Psihoyos team for its