Dead In The Water Screened at New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center

“This film opens the doors for the world to see how difficult and dangerous the life of a fisherman is,” says John Bell, a former three-term mayor of Gloucester (2002-08). David Wittkower, a graduate of the American Film Institute, describes Dead in the Water as an examination of “the relentless destruction of the New England ground fishing industry through government regulations, bad science, and the growing, but mistaken, belief that everything has been overfished and there aren’t any fish left in the oceans.”

Dead in the Water is Wittkower’s 15th documentary film. While he has won many awards for his work, he is hoping that “something better than an award” will come from his latest project. Wittkower said, “I’m hoping to increase public support for U.S. fishermen. I want to help keep fishing jobs in this country. If Dead in the Water can do that, I won’t need any more awards.”

Dock-U-Mentaries is a co-production of New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park and the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center.

Films about the working waterfront are screened on the third Friday of each month beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the theater of the Corson Maritime Learning Center, located at New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, 33 William Street in downtown New Bedford. All programs are open to the public and presented free of charge.

The New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and presenting the history and culture of New Bedford’s fishing industry through exhibits, programs, and archives. www.fishingheritagecenter.org

New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park was established by Congress in 1996 to help preserve and interpret America’s nineteenth century whaling industry. The park, which encompasses a 13-block National Historic Landmark District, is the only National Park Service area addressing the history of the whaling industry and its influence on the economic, social, and environmental history of the United States. The National Park visitor center is located at 33 William Street in downtown New Bedford.