FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BUENAVENTURA, COLOMBIA — October 27, 2025
“The Island of the Shark — Guardians of Malpelo” to Premiere in Colombia and Worldwide, Celebrating 30 Years of Malpelo’s Protected Status
“The Island of the Shark — Guardians of Malpelo” will premiere in Colombia on October 29, 2025, in Buenaventura, celebrating three decades of Malpelo’s protected status. Ocean Annie will join the celebration remotely from aboard the Colombia Dive Adventures Ferox ecotourism vessel at Malpelo Island. The worldwide online premiere will take place on November 2, 2025, connecting global audiences to the extraordinary work of a small group of heroes protecting Malpelo Island from illegal fishers. Viewers can subscribe at YouTube.com/AnnieCrawley or follow the link at www.IslandoftheShark.com to watch the premiere.
Parques Nacionales Naturales de Colombia will host the official launch of the documentary, directed by Annie Crawley, in collaboration with Parques Nacionales Naturales de Colombia and the Biodiversity Conservation Colombia Foundation (BCC). The film showcases the ongoing struggle to protect the Malpelo Flora and Fauna Sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as leaders gather to celebrate its 30th anniversary.
Immediately following the release, the cast and crew will host a live Q&A on YouTube and Facebook. Viewers are invited to stay on the channel after the premiere to participate and speak with the team.
A Call to Protect Sharks Before It’s Too Late
At the heart of the film is Erika López, Executive Director of Biodiversity Conservation Colombia (BCC), whose extraordinary mission is to protect Colombia’s last stronghold for migratory sharks. López’s journey—from dive guide to fearless conservation leader—unfolds against the backdrop of the Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor, one of the planet’s most biologically rich ecosystems.
Malpelo rises 4,000 meters from the ocean floor and hosts immense schools of hammerheads, silky sharks, whale sharks, and tuna. Yet despite its national park status, illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing continues to threaten this fragile ecosystem.
“Erika López is more than a conservationist,” says director Annie Crawley. “She is the heartbeat of Malpelo. Her courage, clarity of vision, and unwavering dedication inspired me to make this film.”
A Global Crisis: 200 Sharks Killed Every Minute
The release of The Island of the Shark comes at a crucial time. One-third of all shark species now face extinction, and scientists estimate that more than 70% of oceanic sharks and rays have been removed from the ocean in the past 50 years. Every minute, more than 200 sharks are killed—the greatest threat they face is overfishing.
This film’s launch precedes CITES 2025, where global leaders will again focus on shark conservation. It aims to unite people across nations in a call to action—reminding viewers that ocean animals do not recognize borders and that protecting sharks protects entire marine ecosystems.
A Visual Journey of Hope and Resolve
With breathtaking underwater cinematography and raw storytelling, The Island of the Shark: Guardians of Malpeloimmerses audiences in one of Earth’s last wild sanctuaries. Crawley captures harrowing encounters with illegal fishing, powerful partnerships between conservationists and the Colombian Navy, and the deep emotional connection between humans and the ocean.
Beyond its beauty, the film is a rallying cry—urging nations, divers, and citizens alike to defend sharks before it’s too late.
About the Filmmaker
Annie Crawley is an award-winning filmmaker, underwater photographer, and ocean educator based in Edmonds, Washington. Known globally as “Ocean Annie,” she has built a career telling stories that merge science, conservation, and human connection. Her initiatives—Our Ocean and You, Dive Into Your Imagination, and the Edmonds Underwater Park Project—empower communities to protect the sea.
Crawley is a member of the Women Divers Hall of Fame and a leading voice for ocean literacy and youth education.
Film Details and Contacts
Film: The Island of the Shark: Guardians of Malpelo
Director: Annie Crawley
Featuring: Erika López, Biodiversity Conservation Colombia
Colombian Premiere: October 29, 2025 — Buenaventura, Colombia
Global Online Premiere: November 2, 2025 — www.IslandoftheShark.com
Press Contact (English):
Annie Crawley
📧 Annie@AnnieCrawley.com
🌐 www.AnnieCrawley.com | www.IslandoftheShark.com
📱 Mobile/WhatsApp USA: +1 805-453-1947
Press Contact (Spanish):
Erika López
📧 [Erilovi72@gmail.com](mailto:Erilovi72@gmail