UWE WILDLIFE GRANT
CLAW & ORDER
By MIKEY SNEDDON
ABOUT THE FILM
"Claw & Order" reveals the collaborative efforts of local fishermen and scientists striving to revive an ecosystem long devastated by historical pollution and overfishing and now a sudden mass crustacean extinction event.
This short documentary offers a glimpse into the legacy of fishermen Luke and James, as they endure the cold North Sea, pulling up pots,
not only to provide for their families and continue their family legacy but also to secure the future of lobster stocks by seeking ’Berried Hens,’ female lobsters carrying precious eggs for the Whitby Lobster Hatchery.
At the hatchery, scientist Joe, is the surrogate father of over 20,000 juvenile lobsters, destined for release into the wild. From the moment they’re flicked from their mother’s abdomen,
we follow the juvenile lobsters fragile journey through the hatchery - learning to swim, hide, and avoid being eaten by their cannibalistic siblings - until they’re finally released back
into the wild bolstering stocks for years to come…the future of this long enduring coastal community is in their claws!
UWE WILDLIFE GRANT WINNER
MIKEY SNEDDON
Jigar Ganatra is an award-winning Tanzanian filmmaker recognized for his ability to authentically connect with his subjects, capturing nuanced narratives alongside stunning visuals. Since 2016, he has made films in 24 countries in his capacity as a Director, DoP, and Producer, creating films in diverse locations, from the East African savannah to the Amazon Rainforest and the Himalayan peaks. His focus on non-extractive filmmaking with Indigenous communities highlights humanity’s bond with nature while preserving cultural and ecological diversity. As the founder of the African School of Storytelling (AFRISOS), Jigar mentors emerging African filmmakers, empowering them to share their unique stories with the world.
THE MISSION
RESTORE MARINE ECOSYSTEMS
Claw & Order champions the urgent fight to restore marine ecosystems and sustain coastal livelihoods in the face of ecological collapse. When a mysterious extinction event wiped out crustacean populations along England’s northeast coast, it wasn’t just marine life at risk - it was a way of life. This film follows the fishermen, scientists, and community members of Whitby who refuse to give up. Through a blend of traditional knowledge and innovative conservation, they’re working to rebuild lobster stocks and revive a damaged sea. At its core, Claw & Order is about resilience: of ecosystems, of communities, and of the hard-shelled species they depend on. It’s a story of action, stewardship, and hope - with claws.
IMPACT
Claw & Order is helping shine a national spotlight on a little-known ecological disaster and the powerful grassroots response rising in its wake.
The film directly supports the work of the Whitby Lobster Hatchery, where science meets tradition to breed, nurture, and release tens of thousands of juvenile lobsters each year. By telling the story of the hatchery and the fishermen who support it, Claw & Order helps foster public understanding of sustainable fisheries and the critical importance of protecting reproductive females — or ‘berried hens’ — to ensure long-term ocean health.
With its no-nonsense tone, working-class pride, and cold-sea grit, Claw & Order invites viewers to see conservation not as a distant ideal, but as a practical, community-led effort. It asks: what if restoring nature wasn’t just possible — but already underway, pot by pot, claw by claw?