Credits:Inquirer.net
New Orleans, LA — When National Geographic approached Anthony Mackie, the Marvel star known for his role as the new Captain America, to swim with sharks for its SharkFest programming, it was an easy yes. For Mackie, the water is a “safe space” where he can “tune everybody and everything else out.”
Mackie, a certified scuba diver for nearly two decades, has swum with some of the ocean’s most formidable creatures, including Great Whites in South Africa, whale sharks in Mexico, and a blue whale off the coast of Cape Town. His latest adventure, “Shark Beach with Anthony Mackie,” debuts this Sunday and takes place in the waters near his home in New Orleans, where he is a regular boater and fisherman.
The increase in shark sightings in the area, with sharks swarming boats and eating fishermen’s catches, points to a larger environmental issue—the ecosystem is off-kilter. “If we eat all the fish, the sharks have nothing to eat,” Mackie explained. He noted that sharks often give birth in Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Catherine, where their three-foot pups need a substantial food source.
During the filming, Mackie spent about four hours in the water, where it wasn’t hard to find a multitude of sharks. Seeing the sharks up close reminded him of “how majestic and powerful they are, but also how beautiful they are.” He was accompanied by marine biologist Jasmine Graham, who served as his “security blanket” during intense moments. “Every time it would get to be too much, I would grab her,” Mackie laughed. “She really looked out for me and gave me a lot of information that really opened my eyes to the community we’re in and explaining the sharks’ behavior.”
Mackie’s show aims to highlight the impact of global climate change on the New Orleans coastline, where the sea level is rising at an accelerated rate. Global warming has caused snow and ice to melt, leading to more storms and flooding. Additionally, activity from the oil and gas industry weakens the soil, causing the area around New Orleans to slowly disappear. “The water is starting to eat away at our habitat, our home,” Mackie said. He lamented the loss of areas he used to visit as a child, such as oyster farms.
“We used to go fishing when I was little and my uncle would put me in the water. I would walk around and feel for oysters with my feet, put them in a boat, and we would eat those oysters for lunch. Whole oyster beds are gone,” he recalled.
Despite his globe-trotting career, Mackie says there truly is no place like New Orleans. His participation in SharkFest not only showcases his adventurous spirit but also his dedication to raising awareness about the environmental challenges facing his beloved hometown.