The Florida Institute of Oceanography, hosted at USF St. Petersburg, is organizing the free premier showing of ‘Dispatches from the Gulf’, Monday, Feb. 29, 7 pm at The Mahaffey Theater. Narrated by Matt Damon, the film focuses on the Gulf oil spill and its impact on the ecosystem, and the progress research is making to restore the Gulf.
According to Mark Collins, USF Public Education Officer, “A panel discussion of first responders and researchers from Deepwater Horizon will follow the hour-long documentary. Moderator is Al Ruechel, Bay News 9 TV Senior Anchor, and panelists include Dr. Steven Murawski, USF Fisheries Biologist.
“In 2010, the Deepwater Horizon oil well exploded, starting the largest oil spill in US history, releasing 3.1 million barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. The event initiated an unprecedented response effort and mobilized the largest, coordinated scientific research endeavor around an ocean-related event in history – orchestrated through the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI). The program was established through a $500 million financial commitment from BP.”
“The GoMRI is a 10-year independent research program established to study the effect and the potential associated impact of hydrocarbon releases on the environment and public health, as well as to develop improved spill mitigation, oil detection, characterization & remediation technologies. An independent and academic 20-member Research Board makes the funding and research direction decisions to ensure the intellectual quality, effectiveness and academic independence of the GoMRI research. All research data, findings, and publications will be made publicly available.”
“Screenscope Films is developing the documentary to help tell the story about the scientists involved and their research to improve society’s ability to understand, respond to, and mitigate the impacts of petroleum pollution and related stressors of the marine & coastal ecosystems. The film will premiere later this year as a new episode in the award-winning PBS ‘Journey to Planet Earth’ series.” Seating is first-come, first-served, based on availability. For tickets, the online link is www.eventbrite.com/e/journey-to-planet-earth-dispatches-from-the-gulf-premiere-tickets-19827240811.
Story by Steve Traiman