The Dark Hobby
83 Minutes, Unrated
Written by Paula Force and William Haugse
Directed by Paula Force
Synopsis:
All the pretty fishes and the price paid to tank them.
The Dark Hobby is the story of the “aquarium trade,” which, when I first read that, I took to mean the large-scale, industrial aquariums like Seaworld.
Turns out, I was wrong. Partly, anyway.
Turns out the real industrial aquarium industry is the one that supports all those great aquariums you see in rich people’s homes, dentists offices, and the like.
So, not as ugly a situation as I had thought going in, but ugly nonetheless.
I had no idea the turnover on tropical fish was so high, but it all makes sense.
Specifically, this film deals with the insane level and methods of farming the coasts of Hawai’i.
It’s brutal. It’s brutal to the fish and the surrounding ecosystem.
It should be shut down.
Now, the film does point out that the courts have supposedly put a stop to it (but not really), as has the Hawai’i government (but not really).
Exceptions and exemptions abound, and the harvest continues, except in one small (-ish) reserve where fish life is actively protected, and the ecosystem has returned to what we all think of when we think of diving off Hawai’i.
All of that being said, the movie itself isn’t really that compelling a watch.
It’s not The Cove, or Blackfish, or any other high-profile eco-warrior movie you can name. It’s important, don’t get me wrong, but it’s just kind of there, cinematically.
And that’s a crime, too, frankly.
In the end, I can recommend watching The Dark Hobby for the information, but don’t expect to be glued to the edge of your seat.
Yes, I realize that’s a weird criteria to use in evaluating a documentary, but it is a factor in getting your point across and/or swaying people to your side of an issue.
And that’s about the only place (but a key place) where The Dark Hobby falls down.
The Dark Hobby can be seen on digital platforms including (but not limited to) iTunes, YouTube, Vudu, Vimeo, and Google Play.
The Dark Hobby features appearances from Jonathan Balcombe, Keith Christie, Paul Cox, Taylor Nicole Dean, Gail Grabowsky, Cory Hearst, Kimokeo Kapahulehua, Kaim Kaupiko, Willy Kaupiko, and A Martinez.
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