Earth Report "Blast" Airing on BBC World May 19, 2007

Washington, D.C., 11 May 2007 – BBC World presents “Blast,” an Earth Report documentary that chronicles the ongoing battle between blast fishers in the Philippines and the brave individuals risking their lives to stop them.

Using homemade explosives to kill fish may provide an easy answer for poverty-stricken fishermen, but the rich biodiversity of the Visayan Sea, as well as future sources of food for the people of the Philippines, are quickly being depleted because of their use.

In 2004, after recognizing that declaring blast fishing illegal was not enough to deter fishermen, concerned conservationist and local government official Jo Jo de la Victoria teamed up with INECE member and fellow Filipino Tony Oposa to form the Visayan Sea Squadron. Their mission was to patrol the Visayan sea for blast fishermen and to educate Filipinos on the importance of sustainable fishing practices.

The success of the Visayan Sea Squadron in protecting the sea angered many in the fishing community. In April of 2006, involvement in the blast fishing project proved fatal for Jo Jo. He was shot and killed by a hired assassin.

"Jo Jo de la Victoria's murder shocked and saddened all of us," said Durwood Zaelke, Director of the INECE Secretariat. "But his heroism, and Tony Oposa's, as evident through this poignant film, continue to inspire those around the world fighting similar battles." Zaelke added, "This is the first film in the INECE Eco-Enforcers series. The series will show the hidden heroes of environmental compliance and enforcement, and their courageous efforts to protect our environment and build the rule of law."

"Blast" was shot on location in the Visayan Sea, the Philippines, and follows the story of these two remarkable local environmental activists as they fight to rid their seas of the blast fishing scourge.

Earth Report is produced by the Television Trust for the Environment and is BBC World’s premier environmental series viewed by millions worldwide. "Blast" was written and directed by filmmaker Douglas Varchol and sponsored in part by the International Network for Environmental Compliance and Enforcement and the Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development (IGSD).

The film will be broadcast on BBC World Saturday, 19 May at 9:30 and 16:30 GMT, and on Sunday, 20 May at 2:30, 13:30, and 20:30. Please check your BBC World station for local screenings.