In the beginning, it was supposed to be “just” a book. But to help save the Ria Formosa seahorses, diver and aquatic photographer João Rodrigues thought he could do much more. Camera in hand, he descended into the depths of the Ria to film. Now, in addition to the book, there will be “War Horses”, a short film of “unity, strength and hope”. All to alert to the problem of the “Rei Formoso da Ria”.
It was the “need to raise awareness in the community” that made João Rodrigues go on this adventure. The underwater photographer collaborates with the National Geographic magazine and one of the works he did was called “Rei Formoso da Ria”. “From then on, I was really touched. What is happening to the seahorses in the estuary is brutal and has to be stopped», he says, in conversation with the Sul Informação.
João Rodrigues does not hide his sadness when talking about the state of conservation of seahorses in the Ria Formosa, an issue that, he says, «goes by the side of many people».
At the moment, censuses are being carried out to estimate the existing number, but, according to estimates and the latest studies, "it can be said that, in 2001, there were 2 million and currently there are only 100".
Illegal capture for the Asian market "continues to decimate a large part of the population and that was the main reason for the population decrease", he says. Trawl fishing, “which brings everything that's at the bottom”, is another.
To make the population aware of this reality, the exhibition “Águas Vivas”, which João Rodrigues presented at Forum Algarve, in Faro, it was very important. That was when «the invitation came from the Secretary of State for Fisheries, José Apolinário, to make a photographic book about seahorses». The challenge was soon accepted.
The work will have nine chapters, should also be called “War Horses”, and talks about the Ria Formosa as a very special ecosystem, as well as some peculiarities of seahorses. For example, in that species, who gives birth… is the male.
But, to «fight on all fronts», João Rodrigues has also planned the release of the short film “Cavalos de Guerra”.
“I want something between 20 and 29 minutes. This was a big challenge. I invited João Costa, a friend, to film, but until we have the trailer finished, I wasn't sure I wanted to make a movie. But it went so well, the feedback it has been excellent, and we are going to move forward», he says.
Now, new footage will be taken until the end of October. The entire month of November will be dedicated to editing and, in December, the film and book will be released.
«I would like the launch to be in Faro. The Ria Formosa is from Portugal, but in the first place it is from the Algarve and it has to be the community here to be sensitized first», confesses João Rodrigues.
Because, he says with regret, "sometimes there are more people in Lisbon who get to know the Ria Formosa seahorses than people from the Algarve".
The trained biologist hopes to change this reality. «I want a film of unity, strength and hope. I will bring together politicians, scientists, public and private entities and the community with a common goal: to save seahorses», he concludes, smiling.
https://vimeo.com/271234625
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