Press Release

April 24, 2007, San Francisco, California - The Northern California Underwater Photographic Society, proudly presents a very special seminar with environmental documentary filmmaker, David McGuire of Trillium Films, Friday, May 11, 2007.  Mr. McGuire will present Sharks: Stewards of the Reef, a 30-minute documentary about how the hunter has become the hunted and how the relationship between reef sharks and the coral reefs they inhabit are both in danger of being lost forever.  The viewing will be followed by a question and answer period with Mr. McGuire. 

From over-fishing and the economics behind shark finning, to the escalating threats of habitat destruction, Sharks: Stewards of the Reef, examines the forces causing shark populations to plummet.  Humans are now the top predators of the oceans and we are removing a critical link in the oceanic ecosystem.

Following in footsteps of the Polynesian voyagers, David McGuire and the Trillium Films, team sailed thousands of miles to explore, dive, and document the atolls of the Pacific.  Through stunning footage of these remote island outposts, Mr. McGuire and his team takes the viewer on an adventure that dispels the notion of sharks as vicious man-eaters.  With this deeper appreciation, Mr. McGuire will inspire the audience to take action to protect these ocean treasures.

David McGuire is a writer, photographer and underwater videographer.  He is educated in Marine Biology at U.C. Santa Barbara and Environmental Health, at U.C. Berkeley.  Formerly working at the Department of Integrative Biology at U.C. Berkeley, David coordinated research and education programs and contributed to several educational and media projects.  David has sailed, dived, filmed and explored the Pacific Islands for over two decades.  David currently serves as the Education Director for the Pacific Islanders Cultural Association of San Francisco Bay.

The Trillium Films underwater photography seminar will take place Friday, May 11, 2007, at 8:00 p.m.  Location: New Vision United Methodist Church, 450 Chadbourne Avenue, Millbrae, CA 94030 - ten minutes south of the San Francisco International Airport.  Cost is FREE .

The Northern California Underwater Photographic Society promotes conservationism and environmental protection through the membership’s shared passion in underwater photography and videography.  Established in 1957, and celebrating its 50 th Anniversary in 2007, NCUPS sponsors educational events on both underwater photography and video while promoting awareness of the underwater environment and pertinent ecological issues.  NCUPS sponsors two annual internationally recognized and prestigious photography competitions, the Annual California Beach Dive Photo Competition (CBDPC), held May 26 and 27, 2007, and the SEA2007, that draw divers and entries from the world over.

For info on attending, directions or membership info, please visit http://www.ncups.org .