Producer/Director: Michael Speltz grew up in Hawaii, where he learned firsthand about the delicate balance of humanity and the oceans. While working at the Hawaiian Institute of Marine Biology on Kaneohe Bay, he encountered the many challenges that marine life must endure to survive. That knowledge always stuck with him and drove him to exploring the relationship between humans and aquatic life through his passion – film.

“The connection we have to the ocean has been a driving force for most of my life. This series represents a labor of love for me, while also being the hopeful message we all need — that it’s not too late, we can change the tide toward sustainable seafood, that we’re already doing that.”

Michael Speltz

“For most of history, man has had to fight nature to survive; in this century he is beginning to realize that, in order to survive, he must protect it.”

Jacques-Yves Cousteau

Inspiration can happen in many ways and Michael Speltz was inspired by Jacques-Yves Cousteau. Cousteau’s many books and movies could take you on a journey across the globe. We found this statue of him when we were shooting a segment in La Paz, Mexico, as he looks out onto the Sea of Cortez. Storytelling with video and film has taken Michael many places, and has helped him touch and inspire thousands over the years. When he was asked, “why are you doing this project?” The answer was for his daughter and grandchildren. Hopefully this project can help get the word out about all the issues our oceans and planet are facing, along with some of the good things that are happening. Michael Speltz hopes that the “Searching For Seastainable Seafood” series will inspire people to help our planet.