Capturing the Heart of Jersey's Marine World
Jersey’s Storteyller Grantee Jack Searson captures the profound importance of marine research in Jersey, emphasising how these efforts not only protect the island's rich biodiversity but also contribute to global environmental conservation.
Jack Searson (@jacksearsonfilms), an engineer by profession, harboured a profound passion for filmmaking from a remarkably young age. Growing up on the picturesque shores of Jersey, surrounded by the enchanting beauty of the ocean, Jack's connection with marine life ran deep.
After completing his studies, he returned to his beloved island and reignited his passion for storytelling through film, focusing on the oceanic wonders that Jersey had to offer. Recognising Jack's dedication, Ocean Culture Life granted him funding to support his mission of marine research storytelling in Jersey.
Over the past few months, Jack has embarked on a captivating journey, producing three short snippets and a hero film that shine a light on the marine research efforts in Jersey.
Image credits: Dave Ferguson
1. The No-Take Zone Chronicles - PortELET:
Jack's lens ventured into Portelet, where he explored Katherine Dunn’s research project on the transformation of the region into a No-Take-Zone, which was implemented in 2022. This short snippet unveils how the No-Take-Zone has had a significant impact, allowing the abundance of marine life to recover without human interference compared with a nearby bay.
2. Battling Invaders in the Channel Islands:
Jack's second snippet delved into Lucy Hempleman’s assessment of invasive non-native species, where through research she developed a ranked list of the most harmful and most likely species to appear across Jersey’s coastline. Understanding what is likely to happen in our waters is fundamental to make informed future management decisions to minimise the impacts that invasive species will have before they arrive in our waters.
3. The Vitality of St. Catherine's Bay - A Seagrass Odyssey:
The third story takes us to Seagrass Meadows of St. Catherine's Bay, where he emphasises the vital role of seagrass in maintaining a healthy marine ecosystem and for carbon sequestration. The piece looks at how the anchor chains have caused major scarring to the meadows, Emily Dow’s assessment of the damage and a potential solution in the form of the eco-friendly mooring buoys.
Image Credit: Dave Ferguson
Image Credit: Dave Ferguson
Jack’s incredible storytelling journey has not only showcased the remarkable beauty of Jersey's marine world but also brought to the forefront the crucial work of marine researchers in preserving it.
Through his lens, Jack has become a voice for the ocean, advocating for its protection and showcasing its unparalleled significance. We eagerly await the release of his film’s, which promise to be an inspiring testament to the importance of marine research in Jersey and beyond.
Thank you, Jack, for sharing the wonders of the ocean with the world.
A special thanks to Mourant, for your support and kind donation towards our Storytelling Grants.
