
A documentary that explores how the Vaquita whale has nearly gone extinct will show in Tasmania this week.
Sea of Shadows discusses how illegal fishing nets have led to the the endangerment and near extinction of the smallest whale in the world, the Vaquita.
Sea Shepherd Tasmania volunteer Rhiannon Slaughter said the endangerment of the Vaquita was a product of the Totoaba, a marine fish, being hunted for its swim bladder.
"[The film discusses] why it's happening, explains the process, and demonstrates what is being done to prevent [extinction] from happening," she said.
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It is now believed there are less than 15 Vaquita whales in the world.
Ms Slaughter said all ecosystems are linked and if the planet were to lose one, it would impact all the others.
Sea Shepherd have had a ship operating off the west coast of Mexico for the last two years to pull up illegal nets in the ocean which are killing the Totoaba and Vaquita.
"The campaign is called Operation Malago," Ms Slaughter said.
The film is a National Geographic documentary and was a winner at the Sundance Film Festival.
Sea of Shadows will screen at the Red Brick Road Ciderhouse at Deloraine on Friday, February 12 at 7pm.
Tickets are $15 and can be purchased through ticketbrite or from the Sea Shepherd Tasmania Facebook page.
All proceeds will help fund the running of Sea Shepherd.