White Lotus star Theo James and national treasure Stephen Fry star in grotesque new film exposing the UK's dirty fishing secret

Scotsman

a day ago

The film, directed by twice-BAFTA nominated director Ben Mallaby, delivers a shocking ending, as a mass of stomach churning fish bycatch crashes down onto immaculately suave Theo and his table mid-meal; exposing the brutal truth about one of the most destructive and overlooked fishing practices taking place in British marine reserves.
Despite their designation, most UK marine protected areas (MPAs) still allow bottom trawling; the industrial practice of dragging weighted nets across the seabed, decimating habitats and indiscriminately catching and killing countless 'non-target' marine species in the process. Research by Blue Marine shows that 74% of England's inshore MPAs and 92% in Scotland still permit this practice, including in fragile habitats such as seagrass meadows.
With the United Nations Ocean Conference underway, Blue Marine Foundation (www.bluemarinefoundation.com), Only One and Oceana UK are calling on the UK Government to impose an immediate ban on bottom trawling in all UK marine protected areas. Take part in the e-action here: https://www.bluemarinefoundation.com/2025/04/30/the-bottom-line/
In the film, Theo James plays a diner at a smart restaurant who orders a seemingly sustainable fish course. But his evening takes a horrifying turn when an enormous net of rotting bycatch and oil is dumped on him and his table as the 'extras' to his 'sustainable' plaice.
Fry plays a comedic, shadowy waiter, delivering the harsh reality of the seafood industry; reminding Theo that what we don't see on the menu is often the most devastating to marine environments.
'This shockingly destructive practice continues even in the UK's protected areas,' said Stephen Fry.'I witnessed the waste firsthand and was absolutely appalled. It is morally corrupt to allow what should be thriving ecological wildernesses to be reduced to shells of destruction. Bottom trawling in marine protected areas must be banned now.'
Theo James added, 'As a keen diver I've long been captivated by the ocean and been horrified by the impact humans are having on it. Having had a load of bycatch dumped on me, it really drove home just how grotesque and devastating the practice of bottom trawling is. It was deeply unsettling but I was glad to do it if it helps drive real change.'
Jo Coumbe, Communications Director at Blue Marine Foundation, said'Making this film was an eye-opener, even for the seasoned conservationists. When we first saw the bycatch it was just devastating to see - almost unbelievably so. Baby sharks, rays, cuttlefish, angler fish - nothing gets away. The bycatch sourced to create this film was made up of 27 different species, including five species of shark or ray and numerous juveniles. Nothing is safe from the nets of a trawler.'
HOW THE PUBLIC CAN HELP:
Supporters can visit HERE (https://www.bluemarinefoundation.com/2025/04/30/the-bottom-line/) to send a direct message to Environment Secretary Steve Reed MP urging him to take action.
The film was co-produced between Blue Marine Foundation and Atomized Studios and all bycatch was authentic and legally sourced. It was responsibly disposed of through Billingsgate Market's regulated waste system. Blue Marine Foundation acknowledges sensitivities but defends the hard-hitting imagery as essential to confronting the true impact of industrial fishing.
1 . Contributed
Theo James & Stephen Fry in 'The Bottom Line' Photo: Submitted Photo Sales
2 . Contributed
Theo James & Stephen Fry in 'The Bottom Line' Photo: Submitted Photo Sales
Related topics: Stephen Fry