ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENCE For Immediate Release:  March 26, 2012

Shellshocked: Saving Oysters to Save Ourselves Canadian Premiere on April 16 at Rodney's Oyster House in Toronto: Filmmaker and environmental experts discuss the importance of protecting North American waterways and oyster culture

Toronto, ON – On the heels of its successful U.S. debut, the Canadian premiere of Shellshocked: Saving Oysters to Save Ourselves will take place at Rodney's Oyster House on April 16th 2012 at 6:00PM. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with Director Emily Driscoll, and environmentalist and prominent Oysterman Rodney T. Clark. At the event, guests will be treated to a specially prepared oyster reception and tasting.  Proceeds raised will be donated to Environmental Defence to further its work to protect and improve Canada's water ecosystems.

Shellshocked: Saving Oysters to Save Ourselves Canadian Premiere

WHEN:   Monday, April 16th, 2012

WHERE:  At Rodney’s Oyster House at 469 King Street West, Toronto

TIME:  Doors open at 6PM, screening at 6:45PM

WHAT:  Film screening and Q&A, featuring filmmaker Emily Driscoll, and environmentalist and "the Oysterman" Rodney T. Clark

PHOTO OPS:  Great shots of oyster shucking, Emily Driscoll, Rodney T. Clark, guests enjoying oysters and bubbly

TICKETS:  $77.50 per person.  Includes oyster reception and tasting.  Call             416-363-8105       ext.0 for ticket purchases or in-person at Rodney's Oyster House.  NOTE:  all proceeds are donated to Environmental Defence

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES:  Emily Driscoll, Director and Filmmaker, Rodney Clark, “the Oysterman” and owner of Rodney's Oyster House, and Environmental Defence Spokesperson, David Donnelly.

ABOUT THE FILM (www.shellshockedmovie.com): SHELLSHOCKED follows efforts to prevent the extinction of wild oysters, a keystone species that keeps our oceans healthy by filtering water and engineering ecosystems. Today, because of over-fishing and pollution, wild oyster reefs have been declared the most severely impacted marine habitat on earth and are functionally extinct. Now scientists, government officials, artists and environmentalists are fighting to bring oysters back to New York Harbor – the former oyster capital of the world.

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR (www.emilydriscollonline.com): Emily Driscoll is a science and nature documentary producer. Her previous documentary BUGGED: The Race to Eradicate the Asian Longhorned Beetle aired on PBS stations and screened at the Department of the Interior. She has a master’s degree from NYU in science journalism and is working toward a master’s degree in science documentary production from NYU’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study. She’s written articles and produced videos for a number of science news publications. Emily also plays and produces videos about competitive badminton.

ABOUT RODNEY'S OYSTER HOUSE (rodneysoysterhouse.com):  Rodney’s Oyster House, located at 469 King Street West is an iconic Toronto restaurant dedicated to preserving and celebrating oyster culture.  Rodney Clark, "the Oysterman," has presented oysters in downtown Toronto since the late 1970's, and helms one of the Great Oyster Houses of North America. He has taken a leading role in promoting sustainable aquaculture with the opening of Rodney’s Oyster Depot on Prince Edward Island, over five years ago, and will talk about sustainable Oystering and the future of the oyster in North America, from the Rodney's perspective.

ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENCE (www.environmentaldefence.ca): Environmental Defence is Canada's most effective environmental action organization. We challenge, and inspire change in government, business and people to ensure a greener, healthier and prosperous life for all.

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For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact: Stephanie Kohls, Environmental Defence,             416-323-9521       ext. 232;             647-280-9521       (cell); skohls@environmentaldefence.ca