Praise for Oceans of Blood

Pedro Sousa de Jesus:

"Oceans of Blood" by J.R. Childress is a compelling eco-thriller that meticulously intertwines fiction with pressing real-world issues surrounding overfishing and illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUU). As an experienced scientific and compliance fisheries observer, I found myself completely engrossed by the narrative, which brilliantly captures the harsh realities faced by our oceans and fisheries activities in our high-seas (openocean), nations exclusive economic zones (EEZ) and marine protected areas (MPAs).

Childress raises critical points that echo the concerns of many in the field, such as the influence of fishing nations on UN conferences and how small-scale fisheries are often overlooked in discussions about sustainability. This novel sheds light on the disturbing admissions from distributors regarding the marketing of illegally sourced seafood as sustainable.

Moreover, the depiction of fish farming and its reliance on low-cost feed derived from ocean trawling brings to the forefront the multifaceted challenges of aquaculture and environmental responsibility. The focus on issues like ghostgear and ocean pollution further enriches the narrative, pushing readers to confront uncomfortable truths about our impact on marine ecosystems.

Overall, I strongly recommend "Oceans of Blood" not just for its thrilling storyline but for the vital conversations it sparks about the future of our oceans and the urgent need for sustainable practices. It is a must-read for anyone passionate about marineconservation and the ethical implications of our food sources.

Thank you so much for the gift, John R. Childress. It was a pleasure to read and I honestly don't remember a novel so interesting that I've read it over the weekend.

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Review by Micaela Grove:

A gripping fictional thriller with a fast-paced storyline which had me engrossed from the first page. The chapters give you just the right amount of detail, racing you across the world to exciting events happening in different countries but that are all interlinked. The characters are believable, well developed and evoke plenty of emotion!

But even more than that, this is a story of the challenges we are currently facing regarding the state of the world’s oceans and the sheer exploitation that marine life is facing at the hands of the large-scale unsustainable fishing industry. These issues are brilliantly woven into the plot, with characters representing the huge diversity of people involved, from charismatic university professors, ruthless business leaders and computer nerds to oppressed fishery workers forced into a hard life at sea.

I was thoroughly impressed by the enormous amount of research that clearly went into this eco-thriller, to incorporate real-life information on marine protected areas, economic exclusion zones, and illegal fishing around the world. This is definitely an eye-opening, captivating read which I will be telling everyone about!

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