Changes in Bay of Fundy highlighted in new documentary by environmental group

An environmental group is hoping to get New Brunswickers thinking about their connection to the Bay of Fundy with a new documentary.

Eastern Charlotte Waterways, in partnership with Saint John production company Hemmings House, premiered Hands in the Current: Stories of Work, Water, and Home on Saturday afternoon at the Huntsman Marine Science Centre in Saint Andrews.

Courtney Piercy is a project biologist with Eastern Charlotte Waterways, and she created the documentary with director Matt Brown. 

"I hope that people who watch the film … come away with feeling more connected to our local marine area and just understanding that its health is really, really important, and we are really all tied to this region," said Piercy. 

The film is part of a larger project that Piercy and her organization are doing to "promote the health of the Bay of Fundy."

The film features six residents of the area: Erica Stuart from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Hugh Akagi, chief of the Peskotomuhkati Nation at Skutik, Danielle Dion of Quoddy Link Marine, retired fisherman Greg Thompson, commercial diver Mike Holland, and Grand Manan Island seaweed harvester Jayne Turner.

Each person in the film shared their connection to the southwestern New Brunswick coastal region and the changes they've witnessed in the area.

Piercy said that change was one of the film's "large overarching themes."

"Even in their lifetimes or their decades of experience working on the Bay of Fundy here, they've seen changes."

Piercy said those who have made their living on the water from aquaculture have seen the quantity and location their crops, such as seaweed and fish, shift. 

Climate change, invasive species and human activity are a part of the "variety of changes," according to Piercy.

"We learn about those changes that they've seen, but also they have hope that the bay will continue to be healthy."

The film features visuals along the coast and underwater dive footage of the bay.

"It's absolutely beautiful. We've got lots of coastal scenic drone shots. So you get to really see the coastline," she said.

"We do have some underwater dive footage, too. So you get to see some of the things that you might see under the Bay that not everyone has access to."

This film has been in the works for about two years and was filmed this past summer and fall.

"I got to tag along with them and be there while we filmed the interviews and all of the scenic shots. So that was really exciting," said Piercy.

Eastern Charlotte Waterways received funding from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to work on the project.

Piercy said the plan is to host more community screenings in the region throughout the spring and showcase the film in schools.

After that, they hope to offer viewing in Fredericton and Saint John before it goes to online audiences.