Mote offers free screening of ‘Chasing Coral’ on World Oceans Day in Florida Keys

Summerland Key, FL – Earth’s coral reefs have suffered major losses in the past 30 years and they continue declining, in large part, due to coral bleaching — when warming ocean temperatures or other stressors cause coral reefs to turn white and die.

“Chasing Coral,” winner of the 2017 Audience Choice Award at the Sundance Film Festival, will be shown at Mote’s Elizabeth Moore International Center for Coral Reef Research & Restoration (IC2R3) on Summerland Key at 6 p.m. Friday, June 8 — during World Oceans Day: a global celebration encouraging healthy solutions for the ocean. The film follows a team of divers, scientists and photographers as they document and reveal the phenomenon of coral bleaching as never seen before. Producing this epic adventure took 3.5 years, 300 hours of underwater footage and submissions from more than 30 countries.

As people around the planet turn their attention to the ocean on June 8, the “Chasing Coral” story is uniquely positioned to show viewers that urgent action is needed and can be started in any community, even if it’s far from the ocean.

Jeff Orlowski, Director of “Chasing Coral,” said, “This story is bigger than coral reefs; it’s about the collapse of an entire ecosystem and the role we all play in taking action while there is still time. That is why I’m thrilled to see people connecting the film to the local environmental changes people are facing and the local solutions we can start accelerating today.”

“It’s never been as important to celebrate and honor World Oceans Day as it is this year,” said Dr. Erinn Muller, Science Director of IC2R3 and Coral Health & Disease Program Manager at Mote. This year, during the International Year of the Reef, it’s vital that we understand the critical shape our reefs are in and ways we can take action to improve conditions.” 

The screening is free and open to the public and will take place promptly at 6 p.m. Friday, June 8, at 24244 Overseas Highway on Summerland Key. Popcorn will be provided. RSVP is not required; seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. 

For more information visit mote.org and chasingcoral.com

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