“The blue economy can help save the sea itself. Films like this reinforce the awareness that the oceans are part of the solution,” said Flavio Andrade, CEO of OceanPact, during the launch of a documentary titled “Quanto Vale o Azul?” (“How Much Is the Blue Economy Worth?”) The film was produced by the Rio de Janeiro-based Urban Sea Institute and sponsored by the company.

The special screening took place in Rio de Janeiro, marking the Brazilian premiere of the documentary, which offers an immersion into the blue economy, discussing ways to reconcile economic development with the preservation of marine ecosystems. Featuring striking images and testimonials, the film shows how the sustainable use of ocean resources can protect biodiversity, generate innovation, create jobs and promote social justice.

After the screening, a roundtable discussion brought together Ricardo Gomes, director and founder of the Urban Sea Institute; OceanPact’s Flavio Andrade; musician Pedro Luís; and Carlos Eduardo Frickmann, a professor and environmental economist.

Ricardo Gomes recalled the long journey that resulted in the documentary and pointed out the importance of raising awareness of the oceans. “This work is the outcome of a journey of almost 30 years documenting life at sea. The film shows the need to look at the oceans head-on and think about what we can and should do for them,” he said.

 
Pedro Luís, responsible for the soundtrack, said that his participation was also a process of learning and connecting with new ways of raising public awareness. “I learned to listen to the voices that come from the waters and try to translate them into music. Art can enchant and educate, so that new generations take better care of the oceans,” he said.

Environmental economist Carlos Eduardo Frickmann explained that the film translates theoretical concepts in an accessible way and reinforces the essential value of the oceans. “The film is a lesson without being a lesson. It shows that value is different from price. It is about the importance that the oceans have for all of us,” he said.

In June, “How Much Is the Blue Economy Worth?” was screened at the third United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice and at international institutions in Lisbon, Cascais, and Costa Rica.