Inside the Traditional Arctic Walrus Hunt | Production Process

[00:00:00]Under the [music] cold sky, where the sea of ice stretches endlessly, a giant creature exists in the harsh Arctic as a living symbol of the frozen world, the walrus, weighing up to thousands of kg.

[00:00:11]Hunting these massive animals is a tradition passed down from generation to generation by Arctic hunters by Arctic hunters, [music] utilizing small wooden boats, a few iron spears, and a deep [music] understanding of the animal.

[00:00:30]A hunter wades into the freezing water alone as the creature [music] struggles violently, kicking the water and creating white foam. But the securing rope remains firmly tied.

[00:00:43]A precise strike to the neck or behind the shoulder blades quiets the walrus and the butchering process begins [music] right on the ice, creating a makeshift butchery in the wild.

[00:01:00]Men wearing rubber boots and thick winter coats use large knives to carefully separate the meat and internal organs, placing [music] them into wooden crates, leather bags, or onto clean skins to avoid contact with the dirty ice.

[00:01:25]Walrus tusks are considered a symbol of strength and a highly priced material for carving jewelry. A skilled craftsman will use a handsaw to carefully separate the [music] muscle and cartilage around the base of the tusk.

[00:01:57]Each [music] tusk, sometimes up to a meter long, is lifted like a trophy to the howling wind. But for the natives, this is [music] a tribute to nature, and they often perform a ritual expressing gratitude to the spirit of the sacrificed animal.

[00:02:11][music] The rest of the carcass is left on the ice for polar bears and scavengers, [music] as nothing is wasted. Ribs become tool handles, and the skin is processed [music] into kayaks, belts, or drum shells for ceremonies.

[00:02:30]The sea ice can collapse at any moment, but despite the danger, traditional values are maintained as sons follow in their father's footsteps, [music] learning to read walrus tracks, judge wind direction, and listen for the calls of the animals.

[00:03:04]Today, walrus hunting is tightly [music] controlled. But for many communities, keeping the hunt alive is about more than just food. It is a cycle of life, death, and renewal in a vast ocean where humans are just a tiny grain of sand.

[00:03:18][music] Meanwhile, in the expansive open waters of the world's oceans, [music] large fishing boats steadfastly travel day and night to carry out The mission of bottom trollling, a profession closely associated with the children of the sea.

[00:04:07]Bottom trollling is one of the most effective industrialcale seafood exploitation [music] methods using funnel-shaped nets designed to scrape the seabed and collect bottom dwelling fish like cod, flounder, hatock, [music] and pollock.

[00:04:33]When deployed, the net is dragged across the seabed by heavy steel cables and held open by two large steel doors [music] that part the water, collecting everything in its path before being pulled up for harvesting.

[00:05:06]The side of [music] each net being pulled up by a mechanical winch system and suspended in the air is a mixture of excitement and fatigue as tons of fish [music] are dumped onto the deck.

[00:05:36]The crew wearing protective gear quickly begins sorting the catch on a conveyor belt by size, species, and freshness, transferring them to the processing department or a quick freezing system.

[00:05:50][music] [music] Exported all over the world, these cod fililelets, sashimi grade halibet, and peeled shrimp all start from long days of hard work by seafares bringing a rich source of food to mankind.

[00:06:27]In countries like Norway, Iceland, Canada, and Russia, [music] bottom trollling relies on modern fishing fleets, satellite monitoring systems, and strict catch management regulations to protect marine ecosystems and avoid over fishing.

[00:06:52]Despite vessel maintenance and strict labor safety regulations, the human factor remains the most important, requiring immense courage, perseverance, and endurance [music] from each individual crew member.

[00:07:08][music] [music] However, bottom trolling remains highly controversial due to its environmental impact as dragging nets across the seabed [music] destroys ecosystems, disturbs sediments, and damages coral reefs and seaggrass beds.

[00:07:43]This poses a massive challenge for the industrial fishing industry, which must find new ways to ensure consistent catches while [music] protecting the fragile marine environment for the long term.

[00:07:56]In response to this pressure, many fishing fleets have turned to selective technologies, using larger mesh sizes to avoid catching juvenile fish [music] and improving net designs to reduce unwanted damage to marine life.

[00:08:24]Vessels also use [music] net monitoring devices and sensors to avoid restricted biological reserves, continuously monitoring depth, pressure, and towing [music] speed to adjust to the unique conditions of the seabed.

[00:08:40]>> [music] >> In contrast to the massive industrial trwers, other coastal communities rely on distinctly different methods.

[00:08:47]Preparing large boats equipped for longline fishing with strong steel hooks and fresh bait.

[00:08:58]>> [music] >> Fishermen drop dozens or even hundreds of long lines, waiting patiently for hours or days until powerful creatures like sharks finally bite and struggle violently against the line.

[00:09:15]Once safely brought onto the ship, the shark is quickly [music] processed, fins of high commercial value are removed, and the meat is butchered, washed with seawater, [music] and preserved in ice for the market.

[00:09:44]>> [music] >> When the catch is brought ashore, it is sorted at large ports [music] by size and thickness, with some portions dried or smoked for long-term export, continuing a tradition [music] that once utilized every part of the animal.

[00:10:11]>> [music] >> Longline fishing stretches along the ocean currents, creating a giant trap hidden in the sea where fishermen [music] battle against powerful tuna known for their immense strength and rapid swimming speeds.

[00:11:08]Hundreds of kilograms struggle violently, causing the whole boat to shake [music] with splashing water and sweat before the tuna is controlled and rapidly processed on the deck to preserve the meat's high quality.

[00:11:24]Fishermen perform preliminary processing on the spot, removing the gills and intestines before storing the fish in ice. A necessary step requiring immense speed and caution for such a valuable seafood product.

[00:11:44]Longline fishing is a seamless combination of intelligence, generational experience, and sustainable values, producing large outputs while significantly limiting marine destruction compared to other massive fishing forms.

[00:12:24]It is a true symbol of coastal life with each trip carrying a harsh and challenging journey from meticulous [music] preparation and monitoring nautical charts to navigating incredibly strong ocean currents.

[00:13:05]Dozens of sailors coordinate rhythmically to prepare the bait, cast the line, and check the marker buoys, knowing exactly where to find the small fish that [music] serve as their targets primary food source.

[00:13:36]reeling in the line is the most difficult time. The taut lines feel incredibly heavy and ready to break, while the squeal of the reel mixes with the wind and waves into a fierce song of the ocean.

[00:13:52]Experienced workers use skillful movements to clean and store the tuna, ensuring every longline catch remains a lasting testament to the persistent and ingenious labor of the hardworking crew.

[00:14:03][music] >> [music] >> Despite the incredible support of modern machinery and satellite positioning, the core of longline fishing still relies entirely on the perseverance, courage, and unyielding faith of the people facing the open sea.

[00:14:38]This unique blend of tradition and modernity has made longline tuna fishing an indispensable [music] part of coastal identity while also contributing greatly to valuable seafood [music] export resources.

[00:15:04][music] Deeply rooted in their spiritual life, fishermen often hold traditional ceremonies before each trip [music] to worship the sea god, passionately praying for favorable weather, a safe journey, and a bountiful catch.

[00:15:23][music] Life on board creates [music] incredibly strong bonds as sailors share every single drop of fresh water and every frugal meal, telling fond stories to dispel the overwhelming loneliness of the vast open ocean.

[00:16:12]Whether sitting together singing during calm seas or struggling as a unified team when the waves grow fierce, their unwavering camaraderie is the true anchor of their arduous journey.

[00:16:25][music] When the tuna is finally brought ashore, the children in the village often participate in the sorting and packaging stages, creating a close-knit [music] labor chain that sustains their beautiful way of life for generations to come.