Australian billionaire Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest has expressed immense pride in supporting Sir David Attenborough’s latest documentary, Ocean, which highlights the detrimental effects of industrial overfishing and trawling on marine ecosystems. Forrest, who funded the documentary through his Minderoo Foundation’s offshoot, Minderoo Pictures, calls the experience a "privilege," reflecting on his long admiration for Attenborough’s work and its profound impact on his life.
At the world premiere of Ocean, Forrest shared how he and his children grew up with Attenborough’s documentaries. He described Attenborough as a calming presence during their childhood, providing a "scientific voice" that resonates across generations. This connection is profound for Forrest, who credits Attenborough’s work as a driving force behind his own PhD thesis on ocean ecology.
With Sir David approaching his 99th birthday, this documentary is anticipated as possibly his final project, focusing on protecting the world’s oceans, which host 98% of living space on Earth. Forrest expressed appreciation for Attenborough’s commitment to marine conservation, affirming the importance of safeguarding oceanic environments.
The film’s funding of £1.5 million towards the total £3.8 million budget underscores Forrest’s belief that successful business practices should align with environmental stewardship. He posits that business leaders must prioritise sustainable practices or risk losing shareholder support. Forrest specifically called on the fishing industry to advocate for marine protected areas, suggesting that genuine businesspeople would champion conservation efforts rather than exploit natural resources for short-term gain.
Directors of the film, including Colin Butfield, noted the significant impact marine protected areas can have on ocean rejuvenation. Supporting this view, Dr Enric Sala, a scientific advisor for the film, highlighted the challenges facing Australia’s Great Barrier Reef due to climate change but optimistically suggested that protection can lead to recovery if we commit to safeguarding a substantial portion of the oceans by 2030.
Toby Nowlan, another director, underscored the documentary’s aim to inspire action regarding ocean conservation, positing that this film is unlike any previous one, aiming to incite change on a global scale.
Forrest also addressed Australia’s recent political shifts, cautioning business leaders that ignoring environmental concerns could lead to shareholder disengagement. He emphasised the necessity of addressing climate change to secure a sustainable future, reflecting his pride in Australia’s commitment to environmental issues.