Marine Biologists Fear That ‘Finding Dory’ Will Endanger Blue Tang Fish Like What Happened To Nemo In 2003
Marine biologists have expressed their concern over Pixar’s upcoming release of its Finding Dory film. As many eagerly await the follow-up film to 2003’s hit Finding Nemo, biologists are worried that demand for the blue tang fish will similarly increase.
When Finding Nemo hit the silver screens in 2003, it led to an increased demand for clownfish. However, marine science magazine Hakai notes that clownfish is easier to breed as opposed to blue tang that does not thrive in captivity.
“After Nemo hit the big screen, sales of orange and white striped clownfish rose by as much as 40 percent, according to some estimates. Conveniently, clownfish are simple to breed in captivity, and demand was easy to satisfy.”
The scientists behind the article claim that while Dory is portrayed as a strong character in the film, it might not be the same thing in real life.
“When a similar rush for pet Dorys inevitably follows the new film, fragile coral reef environments are likely to suffer. That’s because even though Dory was a model of resilience and optimism in her perilous quest to rescue Nemo from a dentist’s office fish tank, young blue tangs have proven much less hardy inside lab tanks. “
Now that Dory is no longer Nemo’s sidekick, entrepreneurs might be more determined to source blue tangs knowing that viewers will soon want their own Dorys. According to the magazine, the harvest is commonly “unregulated and destructive.”
Ellen DeGeneres, the lead star of Finding Dory, wants moviegoers to learn something from the film, she told Yahoo Movies.
“I think that fish should be in the ocean. It’s what this whole sequel is about: It’s about rehabilitation and putting them back in the ocean. And we have to protect our oceans. Hopefully that discussion starts with this film, because we really need to protect that environment.”
Finding Dory follows the tale of Nemo’s former sidekick as she sets off to search for her family. Pixar president Jim Morris previously said that the film’s setting would mostly revolve around the California Marine Biology Institute where Dory was born.
This time, more marine creatures are on board including an octopus (Ed O’Neill), a whale shark (Kaitlin Olson), a beluga whale (Ty Burrell), a loon (Torbin Bullock), and sea lions (Idris Elba and Dominic West). Eugene Levy and Diane Keaton are the voices of Dory’s parents, Charlie and Jenny.
Qantas recently announced its partnership with the film to promote responsible tourism in Australia. As per the company’s corporate affairs representative Olivia Wirth, Finding Dory‘s release is a wonderful opportunity to encourage viewers on how they can help protect the Reef.
“Qantas will launch a joint promotion focused on bringing families together for the Australian premiere. It’s the ideal platform to introduce a new generation of Australians to the Reef, and talk about how crucial it is that we protect this amazing part of our environment.”
The airline will partner with Tourism Events Queensland to launch a series of marketing campaigns. Qantas will also install Finding Dory-themed artwork in the travelator at Sydney’s domestic terminal. From June to July, the company will include a video about the Reef on its inflight entertainment.
[Image via Pixar]
