Discovery commission local series Abalone Wars

The Discovery Network has commissioned a new local series, Abalone Wars. The series is the largest commitment Discovery has made since the start of the production initiative Discovery Ignite in 2007. The announcement:

Abalone Wars is the latest project to be commissioned locally by Discovery Networks and marks the largest single commitment Discovery has made locally since the Australian production initiative, Discovery Ignite, was launched in 2007.

Shot in stunning high definition, Abalone Wars ventures inside the high stakes game of one of Australia’s most dangerous professions – the hunt for green and black abalone from the ocean floor. In never before seen footage, these extraordinary men and women face off with Great White Sharks, some of the planet’s most hostile waters and battle against the multi-million dollar black market, in their search for the prized delicacy dubbed – abalone ‘gold.’

As the crews put their lives on the line to fish their abalone quotas, illegal poachers attempt to feed the black market, keeping Australia’s fisheries police on high alert. For every ten tonnes of abalone legally harvested, one tonne is gathered in clandestine operations up and down the Australian coast.

Mandy Pattinson, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Australia & New Zealand, has said “We were once again overwhelmed with submissions for our Discovery Ignite local production initiative and are thrilled to have uncovered yet another extraordinary Australian story in Abalone Wars. These fearless men and women have allowed us a never before seen insight into the world of abalone diving, where going to work each day requires putting your life on the line.

Discovery Ignite allows us to invest in exclusive, original and local productions for subscription television audiences and remain true to our brand promise of providing high quality, compelling and engaging programming that viewers can trust and enjoy.”

Now in its sixth year, Discovery Ignite gives independent filmmakers in Australia the opportunity to pitch documentaries for local co-production. Over the years Discovery Ignite has delivered successful local projects including John Eales Reveals: Leaders in Rugby, Andrew Ettingshausen’s Ultimate Fish series, the internationally renowned Storm Surfers series and Rocket Compulsion. This initiative is committed to developing local programming content, fostering local documentary makers and allowing them the opportunity to showcase their work on the international stage with Discovery’s worldwide audience.

Source: Discovery Network’s press release