For as long as I can remember, I’ve felt a deep connection to the ocean. It’s where I’ve always found both purpose and peace. Over the years, through my studies and work in marine conservation, I realized just how complex our relationship with the ocean really is — how deeply intertwined it is with culture, community, and survival. I decided early on that I wanted to dedicate my life to protecting it.
Even though I don’t have a formal background in filmmaking, I’ve always believed that storytelling is one of the most powerful ways to communicate science. Facts can inform, but stories can move people — they help us feel the weight and wonder of the world we’re trying to protect. That belief is what inspired me to pick up a camera for The Last Fin.
The Spark-Discovering the Story
I’ve loved sharks for as long as I can remember. I grew up watching Shark Week, completely captivated by their beauty and power — but also struck by how misunderstood they are. Over time, I learned how vital sharks are to healthy ocean ecosystems, and how fear and misinformation have fueled their decline.
That fascination eventually led me to work hands-on with sharks — tagging, researching, and learning from them up close. Those experiences deepened my respect for these animals and strengthened my commitment to their protection. But as I spent more time in the conservation space, I began to realize that saving sharks wasn’t just about the science — it was about people, too. I became passionate about community-based environmental management, about finding ways to include local voices in the conservation conversation.
That’s what drew me to Tanjung Luar, a small fishing village in Indonesia known for its shark market. I came across it while researching the human dimensions of shark fishing, and it immediately stood out to me as a place where two worlds collide — the fight for conservation and the fight for survival. I wanted to portray that complexity: the people who rely on this practice for their livelihoods, and the sharks whose existence sustains entire ecosystems.
When I arrived, the market was alive before sunrise — boats pulling in, the smell of salt and diesel in the air, the rhythm of work unfolding. Seeing the sharks laid out across the docks was a moment I’ll never forget. That was the moment I knew The Last Fin needed to exist — not as a film about blame, but as one about balance, empathy, and understanding.
The Journey-Experiencing the Reality
Filming in Tanjung Luar was emotionally intense. It’s one thing to study shark fishing in theory — it’s another to witness it up close. The first time I saw a hammerhead brought in, I felt this mix of sadness and respect. These fishermen weren’t villains; they were providers, doing what they’ve done for generations in a world that’s changing faster than they can adapt. There were moments that stayed with me — like watching a group of young boys play by the water’s edge. It reminded me that conservation isn’t just about protecting species; it’s about protecting futures. It wasn’t a story about conflict between humans and nature; it was about coexistence. The people of Tanjung Luar have as much at stake in the health of the ocean as anyone else.
The Film- Purpose and Process
The Last Fin is a story about balance — between conservation and compassion, between survival and sustainability. I wanted it to make people pause and question their assumptions — to feel both the urgency of protecting sharks and the humanity of those whose lives depend on them.
The Impact- Awareness and Action
When I set out to make The Last Fin, my goal wasn’t to give people answers — it was to leave them with questions. I wanted viewers to walk away curious, unsettled, and inspired to dig deeper into these deeply rooted, complex issues.
So often, environmental stories are told in black and white — heroes and villains, right and wrong. But the truth lives somewhere in between. I wanted this film to exist in that gray space — to challenge people to think critically about what sustainability really means, and whose voices get to define it.
If the film can make someone stop and ask “What does coexistence look like?” or “How can we protect both people and the planet?” — then I feel I’ve done my job.
Reflection – The Personal Journey
Creating The Last Fin changed me deeply — both as a filmmaker and as a person. It taught me that resilience exists everywhere: in the ocean, in communities, and in ourselves. It also reaffirmed my belief that conservation must be collaborative — that we cannot protect the planet without including the people who live closest to it.
If I could say one thing about Tanjung Luar, it would be that protecting the ocean means protecting those who depend on it.
As for what’s next — I want to continue creating stories that bridge science and storytelling, empathy and action. The Last Fin is just the beginning of that journey.
Photos, Film and Text by Lexi Addison
About Lexi Addison
Lexi Addison is a coastal and ocean policy professional and independent filmmaker driven by a passion for marine conservation, sustainable fisheries, and environmental storytelling. She holds a Master of Coastal Environmental Management and a B.S. in Environmental Studies, with certifications in Community-Based Environmental Management and ESG for Business.
Lexi works full-time as an environmental consultant and part-time as a freelance filmmaker, exploring the intersection of ocean policy, community, and conservation. Her foundation in ocean policy is grounded in hands-on field experience—from shark research at the Bimini Shark Lab to collaborative work with fishing communities along U.S. coastlines. Bridging policy, media, and conservation, Lexi translates science into story, amplifying the voices of those on the front lines of ocean change.