“Waves of Life”, a new one hour long documentary on our natural heritage has become reality, through a grant allowing the Biological Conservation Research Foundation (BICREF) to produce it.

Five years in the making, this documentary is the fruit of days, months and years of observations, photography and filming by BICREF volunteers. This production reveals the beauty, diversity and life of creatures around us and also focuses on those dwelling in our beautiful sea. The viewer is transported through time, environmental conditions and values. Scenes and knowledge of wonderful and curious organisms allow us to consider our ecological footprints on this Planet Earth. Breath-taking footage of seahorses, dolphins and whales fascinate the viewer as much as inspire a sense of well-being in knowing such creatures still inhabit our sea and need our full respect and action to allow them to continue to do so in the future.

copyright Adriana Vella, BICREF

“Waves of Life” features over 150 local species, from minute sea horses to majestic whales, and goes through the issues of: What biodiversity is; How it has become increasingly important for us to study and protect; and Why it is of both local and global importance in our strive to survive and develop while depending on a diversity of natural resources to sustain us.

This work is dedicated to researchers working for effective conservation and is a tribute to specific international efforts toward biodiversity and cetacean conservation.  One such important and imminent goal is the 2010 target to halt biodiversity loss to which the EU and many other countries have committed themselves to.  This documentary is also a tribute to the ACCOBAMS’ partners’ efforts to promote cetacean conservation in the Mediterranean and; to the International Year dedicated to Dolphins 2008 by UNEP.

Countless hours of aerial, terrestrial and marine research have allowed for unique shots and footage to be taken and merged to produce a very interesting and educational documentary for the whole family to learn from. It is thought provoking and encourages positive action. Maltese citizen's environmental pride is awakened and challenged. Are we all doing enough? What wildlife will we leave for our children to admire and benefit from? Are governments really putting resources and funds toward nature conservation on land and sea? Is our future development strategies giving weight to environmental needs to improve our quality of life?

BICREF has been actively at the fore in highlighting issues of local environmental importance, especially in matters pertaining to marine conservation since its it was founded in 1998 and voluntary members come from various backgrounds with one common goal – safeguard our natural heritage through knowledgeable and precautionary actions.

During the International EcoTourism year in 2002, BICREF produced a set of six mini documentaries which had been aired on various local and foreign TV channels and it was through the encouragement and positive feedback received that this organization was determined to start working on a new one since then.

The Biological Conservation Research Foundation (BICREF) celebrated the 2009 International Day for Biological Diversity by launching the MALTESE language version of its International Award Winning Documentary ‘Waves of Life’.  BICREF has presented the documentary to the EU head of delegation in Malta, Dr Joanna Drake at St Benedict’s College Junior Lyceum St. Lucija which hosting the event.  Here the students also had the opportunity to enjoy seeing this documentary followed by an interesting discussion with BICREF members.  Students seemed very curious to know more about all the marine creatures they had seen for the first time through this documentary and were astonished to find out that all these fascinating organisms are found in Maltese waters and coasts.

At a time when the Maltese public is increasingly aware of its environmental responsibilities and requests more information on biodiversity, it is constructive to have “Wave of Life” aired on various local TV channels.

As such the Waves of Life documentary project is a reflection of BICREF's dedication to marine conservation which has given importance to Cetacean research and awareness.  BICREF has also involved local sea-users, fishermen and even sailing races, such as the Rolex Middle Sea Race, to bring in their sightings in the central mediterranean region and effort that has now been running at least since 2000.