Sylvia Johnson directed and produced “Mermaids Against Plastic.”
Interview by Amy Cook
“Mermaids Against Plastic: Tamara,” is a short film revealing the extent of the marine plastic pollution problem in the Mexican Caribbean. Directed and produced by Sylvia Johnson, the film follows a diver as she searches for solutions to protect the ocean she loves. Tamara is from the ocean and water runs in her veins. Born in a fishing village on the Mexican coast, she returned to her roots to become a full time scuba instructor. When she discovers plastic in her beloved ocean, she sets out to get the diving industry to stop using single use plastic.
You can hear more from Sylvia when she attends the screening of her film, “Mermaids Against Plastic: Tamara,” at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 10. It will screen along with '“Dammed to Extinction," and you'll get to meet Michael Peterson and Steven Hawley, the filmmakers of that movie, as well. Tickets available here.
Q: What was your motivation for making “Mermaids Against Plastic?”
A: I went on vacation to the Quintana Roo region of Mexico, on the Yucatan Peninsula. We were walking on a beach in a spectacular, remote area and I was horrified by the amount of plastic covering the beach. It was coming from all over the world—the U.S., Russia, China, South America. It made me realize that the responsibility for this is on all of us. People need to understand that this is where their plastic is going.
Q: What is something unexpected that you learned?
A: The quantity of microplastic in the water--the broken-down tiny bits--that are not visible to the eye. Fish are eating it, and people eat the fish.
Another unexpected thing is that I learned how to swim! I was comfortable in the water before but while making the film I really learned to swim and it’s become something that I love.
Q: What are some steps people can take to reduce their plastic use?
A: There are very concrete things on an individual, corporate, and government level that people can do. On an individual level, go through your bathroom, go through your kitchen, ask yourself, what other items could I use in place of single use plastic? Tell businesses what you want. We have a lot of power we can use at businesses such as grocery stores and restaurants. We can also support legislative action to reduce plastic. We need large-scale policies.
Q: Do you feel more or less hopeful about reducing plastic use upon completing your film?
A: The pandemic has been a huge setback. We’ve been flooded with single use plastic. But overall, I’m hopeful, especially when talking to kids. We can turn this around. We need to focus on sustaining life over profit, and encourage a global movement.
Q: How can people learn more?
A: I recommend the documentary, “A Plastic Ocean,” which is similar to my film and goes into more depth. Check out the organization Plastic Pollution Coalition. A great book for kids is “Plastic Soup.” Research the circular economy, which examines consequences if corporations were held responsible for the whole life cycle of their products.
Q: What was the most rewarding thing about making your film?
A: Getting to spend time in this phenomenal place. It can be depressing to stand on these beaches and realize how big the scale of the problem is, but we’re creating a tool to solve the problem. Being able to make this film from women’s perspectives was also important to me--to showcase women scientists and have a woman underwater cinematographer, which is a rarity.
It is very rewarding to show the film in classrooms and see the kids’ responses. Engaging in conversations with people is my favorite part.
See “Mermaids Against Plastic,” screening with “Dammed to Extinction” a 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 10. All filmmakers will be present for our discussion after the films. Get tickets here.