If you haven’t watched Seaspiracy yet, let me warn you—it’s a lot to take in. It’s like being hit by a tidal wave of uncomfortable truths about our oceans, the fishing industry, and our role in all of it. Becoming a dolphin lover at such a young age this Netflix series: “Seaspiracy” had me in a choke hold. I went into the documentary thinking I had a decent understanding of ocean conservation: plastic straws are bad, overfishing is harmful, and sustainable choices matter. But honestly, Seaspiracy turned my entire understanding on its head.
The film doesn’t hold back in exposing the often-overlooked and ugly reality behind commercial fishing, the myth of “sustainable seafood,” and the industry’s ties to environmental destruction and even modern-day slavery. What I found most shocking was how many well-known, supposedly environmentally friendly organizations have connections to the very practices they claim to fight against. It was like peeling back a layer of ocean-blue PR, only to find murky waters of corruption and misinformation.
One part that stuck with me was how they called out the impact of the so-called “sustainable seafood” label. Before watching, I always felt better choosing products labeled “dolphin safe” or “sustainable”—thinking I was doing my small part. Seaspiracy showed that, in many cases, these labels don’t mean much at all. The realization that my so-called conscious choices were just marketing tricks left me both frustrated and overwhelmed.
Now, I know the documentary has sparked its own controversy. Some experts and organizations have pushed back, saying the film simplifies complex issues or gets some of the details wrong. And while I think it’s important to take every documentary with a grain of salt, the message Seaspiracy conveys still hits hard: our oceans are in trouble, and we have to stop relying on feel-good labels and vague promises to save them.
After watching, I had to ask myself: what can I do differently? Cutting down on seafood consumption is one answer, but the film also made me think about how interconnected everything is. It’s not just about the oceans—it’s about the people involved, the environment, and the cycle of supply and demand. Change feels overwhelming, but I believe in taking small steps that align with my values, and spreading awareness is one of them.
At the end of the day, Seaspiracy was a wake-up call. It might be uncomfortable, and it might not have all the answers, but it gets the conversation going, and that’s something we need if we’re going to protect our planet and its oceans. If you haven’t seen it yet, I recommend giving it a watch—but be prepared to come away questioning everything you thought you knew about seafood.