Diver, biologist, conservationist and film maker, João Rodrigues, is creating a film dedicated to highlighting the desperate plight of the Algarve's Ria Formosa seahorse population.
Cavalos de Guerra (War Horses) is the title of a film and a book that points out that in 2001, there were an estimated two million seahorses in the Ria Formosa lagoon, now there are around 100,000, the decline due primarily to their illegal capture and onward sale to the Asian market.
The pollution in the Ria Formosa does not help their chances of a productive life with sewage outflows fouling the pristine environment needed for seahorses' successful breeding.
Fernandes started out with the idea of putting together a book but to this he has added the idea of Cavalos de Guerra, a half hour film that outlines the problem and which determines that the seahorses must be saved.
Talking to Sul Informação, Fernandes said, that there was a need "to sensitise the community" so he collaborated with the National Geographic magazine to make ‘Rei Formoso da Ria,’ (King of the Ria Formosa).
“What is happening to the seahorses in the lagoon is brutal and has to be stopped," says the biologist.
After an exhibition, ‘Águas Vivas,’ at the Forum Algarve,"an invitation by the Secretary of State for Fisheries, José Apolinário, was made to make a photographic book on seahorses." This book will be out in November, as will the film.
Fernandes summed up, "I want a film of unity, strength and hope. I will bring together politicians, scientists, public and private entities and the community with one common goal: to save the seahorses."
For a preview and pictures, see the report at: Sul Informação
