Doctor Sylvia Earle is one of the most famous oceonographers and eco-activists on the planet, and became the public face for marine science after taking part in some extraordinary and fascinating ocean missions throughout her life.
Now with the help of Fisher Stevens and Robert Nixon, she's taken part in a documentary that serves to explain just how much the ocean is being affected by mankind whilst offering a biographical look at her life, giving insight into what has changed since her earlier missions compared to the current day.
Credit: NetflixIt's a beautiful picture to watch with some spectacular photography of what lies beneath the surface from Bryce Groark, but a very clear message that if we do not stop taking advantage of everything the ocean has to offer, we will one day lose it all, which also means the end of human life.
What is extremely interesting to see and hear are the headlines and quotes taken from Earle's first few times diving in the public eye. They're out and out sexist - 'a woman is diving, how shocking!' - but she doesn't seem to mind and laughs off their ridiculous nature.
This isn't a documentary for the faint-hearted. We are shown in all its gruesome 'glory', the catastrophic actions including industrial oil spills and mass harvesting of sharks solely for their fins that are having such an adverse effect on what once was a zone nobody had touched.
Credit: NetflixSylvia recalls how in every single dive she's ever undertaken, she's seen at least one product of a human's action, whether that's dead animals or floating plastic bags. It's a sad realisation that humanity is so selfish, but probably something that, deep down we all already knew.
Harrowing, insightful and gorgeous on-screen, Mission Blue is a must-see for any documentary or nature enthusiast and is available to stream exclusively on Netflix now.