Dr Bryce Stewart
Marine Biological Association
A ̽»¨ÊÓÆµ researcher played a vital role in helping to create key sequences for the new film Ocean with David Attenborough, and ensuring its scientific accuracy.
Associate Professor Dr Bryce Stewart , also a Senior Research Fellow at the Marine Biological Association, worked with filmmakers from the production companies Silverback Films and Open Planet Studios to film sequences of scallop dredging.
They showcased a carefully controlled study designed to better understand and help mitigate the effects of dredging – one of the UK’s most valuable fisheries – on the seabed and marine life.
Dr Stewart’s contributions also included advising on the film’s script and fact-checking the scientific content, ensuring the accuracy of its portrayal of critical marine issues.
As part of his involvement, Dr Stewart and colleagues at the MBA worked closely with the production team to ensure the film presented an authentic and scientifically sound depiction of marine life, highlighting vital environmental challenges and the need for conservation efforts.

It was a huge honour to work on the film Ocean with David Attenborough, and I had the privilege of helping film some of the scenes and advising on the script.

The film is stunningly beautiful while being highly confronting at times. However, it ends with a message of hope – that is, if you properly protect marine ecosystems and manage human activities sustainably, then the ocean can bounce back at an astonishing rate. Achieving that balance and recovery is the focus of my research at ̽»¨ÊÓÆµ.

Bryce StewartDr Bryce Stewart
Associate Professor

The film was originally released in cinemas worldwide, and will be available for streaming globally on National Geographic and Disney+ from June 8, in celebration of World Ocean Day.
More information about the film, and the cinemas where it is being shown, can be found at .
Ocean with David Attenborough Silverback Films and Open Planet Studios
 

Read more information linked to this article

̽»¨ÊÓÆµ and Offshore Shellfish Ltd at the 2025 Aquaculture UK Awards
Offshore mussel farm collaboration wins at the Aquaculture UK Awards

The University has been working with Offshore Shellfish Ltd for well over a decade

20 June 2025

Students choose ̽»¨ÊÓÆµ for courses related to the sea. Find out why:

Coastal Communities coastal definition, the Hoe, seafront, waves, ̽»¨ÊÓÆµ sound