The Fisherman's Tale - Michigan Documentary Film
Donation protected
WHAT IS THE FISHERMAN’S TALE?
The Fisherman's Tale is a feature-length documentary exploring the heritage of our state-licensed fisheries, the challenges they have faced, and why Michigan’s local seafood industry will cease to exist if nothing changes.
The film will celebrate the heritage of the Great Lakes fishers and explore the factors driving the collapse of their industry. We follow the fishers and fish markets of the Great Lakes as they battle for their livelihoods.
WHAT IS HAPPENING TO OUR FISHERIES?
In the mid-1960s, amid the climate of the newly discovered ecological crisis, the commercial fishery began to change forever.
60 years later, the commercial fishery is nearly extinct and the lakes have changed dramatically. We explore the factors that have resulted in the state of the industry today.
ECOLOGICAL CRISIS
The shipping industry opened Pandora's box in the 1940s and 1960s with the construction of the international shipping routes, including the infamous St. Lawrence Seaway, an ecological time bomb for the Great Lakes. The routes paved the way for invasive species to ravage the lakes, playing a significant role in the collapse of the fishing industry. Combined with outdated regulations that prohibit commercial fishers from harvesting species less at risk, our commercial fisheries face three enemies- decreased fish stocks, mismanagement, and industrial ecological pollution.
WHAT HAPPENS IF NOTHING IS DONE NOW?
If nothing is done, the average Great Lake resident will have no access to local seafood. In the 1950s, Michigan’s dockside catch was worth equivalent to 160 million dollars in today's economy. Today, the dockside commercial catch is only valued at 4 million dollars. The Great Lakes are one of the world’s largest bodies of surface freshwater, yet they are hardly fished.
EAT LOCAL?
Locally sourced seafood is a vital resource. Losing access to local fish, consumers will only have access to seafood caught overseas and from what remains of the highly regulated US coastal seafood industry.
The overseas fish market makes up 70-85% of the United States seafood consumption, creating concerns about low-quality products, human trafficking, and unregulated plastic waste.
If nothing is done there will be no more US-caught fish left to eat in Michigan.
HOW YOUR DONATION WILL BE USED
To reach the largest possible audience and adequately address the national crisis of our disappearing fishing industry, The Fisherman’s Tale will be shot in the highest quality. Your donation will be used towards state-of-the-art cameras, necessary production equipment, hiring of crew, an original soundtrack, travel and meals, legal fees, licensing, sound design, and marketing and distribution fees. All of these important factors contribute directly to the cinematic quality of the end documentary.
Note: All donated funds will be used solely and directly for the production, post-production, marketing, and distribution of The Fisherman’s Tale.
DONATION BENCHMARK GOALS
$20,000: This helps us cover the baseline cost of planning, storage and backup drives, transportation, and other basic expenses incurred.
$50,000: Film crew, gear, and the costs incurred by the fishermen to get us on the water with them.
$80,000: Post-production expenses, covering the cost of editors, color grading, and music licensing.
$100,000: Legal fees, licensing, marketing, and distribution costs.
$125,000+: Enhanced production value throughout.
WHAT IS MINIMAL MEDIA’S ROLE?
Minimal Media Company is producing The Fisherman’s Tale to spread awareness to the general public about the current climate in commercial fishing and the health of the Great Lakes. Awareness is the fishery's best weapon against extinction. When we heard about all of the facts surrounding the fishing industry in Michigan, our jaws dropped. We want to spread the information as far as possible to allow the general public to experience the same epiphany we did.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
If you want access to local fish caught in our Great Lakes, start by spreading the word in your circle. Ask for local fish at your grocery store, find a fish market that stocks locally caught fish, and write your legislator, telling them that you value your right to access and demand accountability for those making management decisions about our lakes. Below we have provided links to help you find local fisheries and products sourced from the Great Lakes.
Finally, Donate! Any size donation will be used to make this documentary as effective as possible.
WHERE CAN WE FIND THE FILM?
Stay up to date by signing up for our email list where we will continue to provide updates as we progress!
Additional Resources:
https://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw-bay-city/2021/01/great-lakes-fishing-companies-say-michigan-dnr-order-pretty-much-puts-us-out-of-business.html
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/many-circumstances-during-2020-affected-michigan-s-commercial-fishing-industry-msg21-jescovitch21
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/2020-status-of-the-industry-michigan-s-commercial-fishing-and-fish-processing-businesses-msg21-jescovitch21-nelson21
Organizer
Nate Morris
Organizer
Grand Rapids, MI