Lewis Pugh, the accomplished endurance swimmer, is currently in the midst of a historic endeavor. He is currently swimming the circumference of Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts to raise awareness about the declining shark population. This ambitious, impressive endeavor could not have come at a more perfect time… the 50th anniversary of the classic horror film Jaws. Filmed in our very own backyard, Jaws changed the public’s perception of sharks forever upon its release that summer in 1975.
Pugh has a clear memory of being 16 years old and watching Jaws for the first time. That experience left him with a well-rooted fear. The movie went on to become the highest-grossing film of all time and won three Academy Awards. It’s credited with laying the groundwork for Hollywood’s blockbuster culture. Shark Week’s popularity centers around the horrifying notion of sharks turning against humanity. This powerful story and their courageous performance has moved audiences across the globe.
On this swim, it’s very different. We’re just talking about sharks all the time,” said Pugh. His mission extends past swimming. Through his art, he seeks to shift the conversation on sharks and their importance as ocean stewards, as well as change public perceptions of sharks that have been influenced by Jaws for decades.
Pugh’s swim will take approximately 12 days to complete. During this time, he will be a constant and important voice for protecting sharks. He reflects on the film’s legacy, stating, “It was a film about sharks attacking humans and for 50 years, we have been attacking sharks.” He emphasizes that for too long, sharks have been viewed as villains, cold-blooded killers, and that this has contributed to their plight as at-risk animals.
Greg Skomal, a state marine biologist who has studied sharks. He notes that today, many people refuse to swim in the ocean out of fear perpetuated by the Jaws legacy. “But often what I tend to hear is the expression that, ‘I haven’t been in the water since Jaws came out,’” he said. This lasting paranoia highlights the movie’s troubling legacy on the real-world perception of these animals.
Pugh hopes to dispel this fear with his swim and advocacy. He agrees that the overall story being told about sharks deserves a major makeover. I’m more terrified of a world without sharks, or without predators,” he added. He makes a strong case for why sharks are important to keep the balance of all marine ecosystems. Their decline is a significant indicator of the health — or lack thereof — of our oceans.
The film’s director, Steven Spielberg, has expressed regret over Jaws’s impact on viewers’ perceptions of sharks, as has author Peter Benchley, who penned the novel upon which the film is based. Pugh agrees with this sentiment. He thinks that if Jaws were produced today, filmmakers would handle it in a different way because of heightened awareness around shark conservation.
“Sustainable practices are crucial,” Pugh asserts. “It’s completely unsustainable. It’s madness. We need to respect them.” Skomal admits he feels this way too. Rick, for one, thinks society is departing from the old school idea that “the only good shark is a dead shark.”
As Pugh embarks on his long swim, he prepares for extreme physical and mental obstacles. “And you know what, it’s going to test me not only physically, but mentally,” he admitted. As he prepares to embark on this journey, he remains focused on his goal: raising awareness about sharks and advocating for their protection.
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