Patagonia, through it’s surf ambassadors in Australia, has stood shoulder to shoulder with the local campaign to keep Martha Lavinia on King Island, Tasmania, in its natural state - fish farm free. The fight to save Martha is featured in New Town.
The Never Town documentary expands on the short film Saving Martha featured in our previous post. In between stunning surf scenes the film focuses on conversations about the risks the coastline faces from fish farms, clear cutting and offshore drilling. If you’re watching from rural Nova Scotia you’ll find the scenery and the conversation familiar. The message the film shares, is both universal and inspirational. Its a rallying cry for local communities to stand together to protect the places they love (and natural resources we rely on) - its the power and passion of grassroots community activism that can make change happen.
The final frame, is a quote from Yvon Chouinard that captures the spirit of the film,
“Revolutions starts from the bottom.”
Before being screened in Sydney, San Francisco, Milan and San Juan the film had its global premiere in the humble King Island Club in downtown Currie, the island’s main town.
You can learn more about this film and the community on this Patagonia's blog post here. Here's an excerpt from the blog:
“I slowly saw what the implications for King Island would be, and they’re devastating,” said Charlie Stubbs, a retired English teacher who has led the local campaign against the fish farm proposal. “If you have a million Atlantic salmon that’s like 10,000 people going up to Martha Lavinia and crapping in the water every day. I almost feel like crying. King Island is so special to so many people and this is all about dollars. Dollars and profits for companies.” The local residents formed an activist group, Keep King Island Fish Farm Free and began lobbying the media, the Tasmanian Government, and surfers all around the world."