Internationally acclaimed filmmaker and environmental activist Rob Stewart sacrificed everything to save sharks—including his life.
A champion of the ocean, the revered documentarian died while making “Sharkwater Extinction,” the followup to his groundbreaking film “Sharkwater,” which debunked myths about sharks as bloodthirsty killers, and exposed the industries that are exploiting and killing marine populations.
That film influenced laws and public policy worldwide and gave rise to hundreds of conservation groups. As a result, some 90 countries have banned shark finning. “Sharkwater” and Stewart’s second film “Revolution” received more than 70 international awards and have been viewed by over 125 million people. To honor Stewart, several film festivals created conservation awards in his name.
The highly anticipated sequel “Sharkwater Extinction” celebrated its world premiere at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival to standing ovations, and has begun a limited theatrical release in the U.S., garnering a prestigious 100 percent Rotten Tomatoes rating.
“Sharkwater Extinction” is a fitting tribute to Stewart’s brilliance as a filmmaker. He wrote, filmed, directed, stars in and narrates this stunningly beautiful homage to the much maligned shark.
Stewart said in the film, “Sharks have been here for 400 million years and survived five major extinctions on earth that wiped out most of life on the planet. Yet in 30 years, shark populations have dropped 90 percent.”
The adventure-packed film continues Stewart’s courageous crusade to save the shark species from extinction as he and his team race through the oceans and across four continents to investigate the corruption behind a multi-billion-dollar pirate fishing trade and massive illegal shark fin industry. During filming, Rob found that sharks are still being fished to extinction—150 million sharks are killed every year.
In the film, Stewart recalled meeting his first shark, a five-foot Caribbean reef shark, when he was nine years old: “The second we made eye contact, the shark freaked out and swam away. I was never afraid of sharks after that first encounter and was forever enthralled by the magical, three dimensional, underwater world.”
In January 2017, while shooting “Sharkwater Extinction,” Stewart tragically died at the age of 37 during a dive off the Florida Keys. Something went wrong with his rebreather SCUBA equipment that recycles exhaled carbon dioxide into breathable air.
The world was stunned by the loss of someone considered one of the most influential activists of our time. The film’s producers, along with a talented group of filmmakers, editors and “Sharkwater” supporters, felt compelled to continue Stewart’s work and ensure the film was completed. Award-winning editor Nick Hector was given the daunting task of sifting through Stewart’s 400 hours of footage and reams of detailed notes to create a final cut.
Stewart’s parents, Sandy and Brian Stewart, are co-presidents of Tribute Entertainment Media Group, an online marketing company serving the film industry for almost 40 years and helped produce “Sharkwater Extinction.”
“We’re so proud of what Rob accomplished and the impact he’s had around the world,” Sandy Stewart said.
“It delivers on the objectives Rob had when he set out to make the film,” Sandy continued. “Rob wanted viewers to see the beauty of sharks and the underwater creatures so they would grow to love them and work to protect them. But he knew he wanted it told in a compelling story, so the film takes you on his adventure across the world. We think it gives a fitting tribute to an amazing son and outstanding human being. Rob wanted people to know that sharks are now being found in consumer products meant for humans and are still being fished to extinction.”
Stewart’s family still lives in his Malibu home on Las Flores.
Rob Stewart’s final film is a rousing call to save an imperiled animal—and our planet—from the edge of extinction. Stewart reminds us in his stunning documentary that conservation is the preservation of human life on earth and, above all else, is worth fighting for.
For more information on Rob Stewart’s legacy, “Sharkwater Extinction” screenings and streamings, visit sharkwater.com.
