Not officially related, but certainly a content companion to 2013’s SeaWorld expose Blackfish, this documentary does a deep dive, pardon the pun, on the tropical fish trade. The benign aquarium in your living room, the film contends, is full of captives who were tortured by industry divers who also intentionally destroy fertile reefs in their quest to get Nemo from the ocean to your tank.
In other words, it’s not just Killer Whales at SeaWorld who are living lives of misery, it’s a seemingly innocent hobby that millions of people pursue at home that could be victimizing wildlife. Well, there’s something I never thought about, how about you?
The Dark Hobby was produced, directed and written by Paula Fouce, who has vast experience in documentary storytelling. As a narrative – this film is less compelling than her other works, but absolutely works as an emboiling “hate watch” for animal lovers ( a PETA representative is one of the on-camera interviewees), and the underwater photography is stunning.
Paradise Filmworks International 
Paradise Filmworks International
The film does an excellent job, however, of making its argument, to include footage of harvesters in Hawaii using everything from cyanide to dynamite to fetch the fish that then fly thousands of miles in their own poop before ending up at the corner pet shop. There are often title screens with statistics to back up the claims.
The diverse cast of environmentalists, divers, and native Hawaiians who have an interest in keeping the beautiful reefs intact might just make you think twice before buying your next fish, or even getting an aquarium in the first place.
If there is another side to this story, we don’t hear much about it. Even if an argument is weak, a little counterbalance never hurts. Maybe no one would or could appear on camera with a cogent dissenting opinion?
The Dark Hobby is now streaming on these major platforms.
