 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Coastwatch
- Planet Green
- Genre: Reality TV
Common Sense Media says
New Zealand officers focus on marine wildlife protection.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this reality series -- which follows law enforcement officials as they try to protect New Zealand's marine wildlife and has a strong conservation/protection message -- is pretty mild overall. People who are being fined for breaking local fishing/harvesting laws sometimes start yelling, but all profanity is fully bleeped. Illegal activities like poaching are discussed, and guns are occasionally visible. Alcohol and drugs are sometimes suspected in boating and swimming accidents.
What's the story?
COASTWATCH follows officers from New Zealand's Ministry of Fisheries (known as M-Fish) and the Maritime Police of New Zealand as they patrol and protect their country's coastline. Officials like Maritime Police officer Kevin Stone and M-Fish agent Brian Giles work to stop international poachers from stripping beaches of New Zealand's unique fish and shellfish and selling them on the lucrative Asian black market; they also monitor recreational fishermen and women who violate local fishing laws. When necessary, they offer assistance to rescue workers helping distressed boaters and swimmers and remove dead animals from the country’s harbors.
Is it any good?
Narrated by Bray Poor, Coastwatch offers a glimpse at the fishing and aquatic culture that New Zealand is famous for. But the real story here is the growing danger that overharvesting and organized poaching pose to the country’s natural resources. Much of the show's discussion revolves around the importance of protecting New Zealand's beaches and sea animals, which are quickly being depleted.
Despite some angry reactions from people who are being fined and/or arrested by the officials, the series isn’t very violent or dramatic. In fact, most of the scenes lack the action that viewers might be accustomed to seeing in reality-based crime shows. But folks who like this sort of thing will find the show entertaining.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the show's message. Is it more focused on law enforcement or on conservation/environmentalism? Which matters more to you?
What are the consequences of illegal
harvesting? Is the problem with poachers unique to New Zealand, or do
other countries face the same kind of problems when protecting their
wildlife?
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| TV rating: | TV-PG |
| Network: | Planet Green |
| Cast: | Bray Poor, Brian Giles, Kevin Stone |
| Genre: | Reality TV |
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