A Excellent Planet, a five-part earth science collection, offered by Sir David Attenborough made its debut on January 3. The spectacular collection is a fusion of pure historical past and Earth science that seeks to elucidate how planet Earth operates.
Filming happened over a four-year interval – the primary 4 episodes focuses on volcanoes, daylight, climate and oceans. The collection finale seems on the impression people have had on nature and the way the harm now we have carried out could be reversed to revive nature’s steadiness.
‘Oceans, daylight, climate and volcanoes – collectively these highly effective but fragile forces enable life to flourish in astonishing range,’ mentioned Sir David.
‘They make Earth actually distinctive – an ideal planet. Our planet is one in a billion, a world teeming with life. However now, a brand new dominant pressure is altering the face of Earth: people. To protect our good planet we should guarantee we turn out to be a pressure for good.’
Components of Episode 4, ‘Oceans’, have been shot in Algoa Bay within the Jap Cape in 2018. Eco-tour company, Raggy Charters, headed by Lloyd Edwards, facilitated the filming.
Edwards mentioned Raggy Charters has labored with a number of tv crews over time however none come near the BBC.
‘The BBC treats you with the utmost respect and so they respect the animals,’ mentioned Edwards. ‘They don’t go for a budget photographs.’
Edwards and crew spent 20 days at sea with the documentary-makers and managed to trace down long-beaked frequent dolphins and bait balls on 18 days, a exceptional success fee, which is unbelievable based on Edwards.
‘That’s completely unprecedented. You converse to anyone that movies sardine run stuff and so they’ll by no means get that sort of hit fee,’ he mentioned.
Edwards jokingly attributed their success to luck but additionally added that it was all the way down to the company’s unbelievable gear and the wealth of expertise they’ve gathered over time – Raggy Charters has been working in Algoa Bay’s waters since 1997.
The gruelling shoot was onerous on their our bodies, ‘we’re out on the water because the solar’s arising and we solely get again when the solar’s down’, added Edwards, but it surely resulted in quite a few firsts for the crew. They noticed colleges of killer and false whales, respectively, on consecutive days.
‘One other spotlight was seeing a college of round 10,000 frequent dolphins chasing baitfish, our largest to this point. One of many bait balls had 12 Bryde’s whales chasing fish in entrance of the frequent dolphins… actually loopy stuff,’ mentioned Edwards.
Algoa Bay is likely one of the largest bays in Africa and is wealthy in marine and birdlife. Notable islands inside its heat Indian Ocean waters embrace the St Croix Island, which is the most important, in addition to Hen, Seal and Stag Islands.
So, why do researchers, filmmakers and vacationers flock to the bay?
‘Upwelling,’ mentioned Edwards. Upwelling is when the nutrient-rich water rises from deep and ‘fertilise’ floor waters, which ends up in excessive organic productiveness.
This phenomenon happens in two localities in Algoa Bay, based on Edwards.
Upwelling gives meals for the baitfish that eat plankton, resembling anchovy, sardines, mackerel and the baitfish, in flip, present meals for predators.
‘That’s what attracts the penguins, the frequent dolphin and the Beluga whale, the fish-eating whale that is still within the Bay all yr spherical,’ mentioned Edwards.
Algoa Bay’s present construction means the world is a wealthy meals supply for prolonged durations and that’s why the bay is repeatedly frequented by vacationers and tv crews.
Previous to the lockdown, 95% of Raggy Charters’ purchasers have been worldwide vacationers however since they resumed operations in lockdown Degree 4, they modified their technique and locals have taken to the service.
‘We’ve now circled to 95% native,’ mentioned Edwards. South Africans obtain a considerable low cost – as much as 45% – and have saved the enterprise alive.
‘It’s fairly difficult as a result of we’re doing these massive turnovers however we’re not making any cash however at the very least we’re managing to pay our workers,’ added Edwards.
Raggy Charters has 4 full-time workers and three boats in its fleet. The 8.6-metre Buttcat catamaran named Winkle was the popular vessel when the BBC filmed in 2018.
Edwards mentioned that they’ve filmed lots of underwater footage up to now however nonetheless have to complete the second half, which is the topside footage.
‘We’ll very enthusiastic about placing that complete one collectively in April,’ mentioned Edwards. April is the very best time to movie as the ocean is calm and the water is teeming with baitfish.
Given the prolonged manufacturing turnaround time, it may very well be fairly some time earlier than particulars concerning the subsequent documentary will likely be divulged publicly.
As for the present collection, ‘I can’t even watch the factor,’ mentioned Edwards who hasn’t owned a tv since 1995. ‘They’ll ship me the video quickly and I’ll watch it.’
Raggy Charters holds the BBC and their work within the highest regard, and evidently, the sensation is mutual, the upcoming documentary is a testomony to this.
When the movie crew touches down later this yr, Edwards mentioned he’ll have a lekker South African curry ready for them.
‘Oceans’ is anticipated to air within the UK tv on January 24, 2021, however is streaming on iPlayer proper now, sadly, that is solely accessible to British residents.
The collection is anticipated to debut in South Africa on DStv channel BBC Earth on Sunday, February 14.
Image/s: Lloyd Edwards/Raggy Charters & Jean Tresfon