The Impact of “Jaws” on Shark Populations
The classic film “Jaws” has had enduring effects, but not all of them are positive. In a new National Geographic documentary titled “Jaws @50: A Definitive Inner Story”, director Steven Spielberg reflects on how the 1975 movie inadvertently contributed to harmful practices against marine life.
“One bad thing that came out of the film was the surge in shark hunting,” Spielberg shared, alluding to a dark side of the film’s success.
Wendy Benchley, an executive producer and passionate advocate for ocean conservation, noted, “The negative reaction hurt us, terrified us, and we became passionate advocates with sharks.” As the widow of Peter Benchley, the original author of “Jaws,” she emphasized the message behind the film, mentioning their participation in National Geographic expeditions where they learned from experts in marine science.
After the film’s release, trophy hunting of sharks surged, a fact highlighted by Cynthia Wigren, CEO and co-founder of the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy. She pointed out that the white shark population has dropped by 80%, a staggering statistic.
Dr. Austin Gallagher, a shark expert and chief scientist, commented that many people aspired to emulate the character Quint, a shark-hunting captain in the film. “People wanted to have a trophy that they could show off,” he explained, indicating a cultural impact of the film.
Candace Fields, a shark conservation biologist, echoed this sentiment, acknowledging the unfortunate negative implications stemming from film portrayals of sharks. “I think there are other takeaways too,” she added, hinting at the complexities of perceptions surrounding these creatures.
In an exclusive interview, Wendy Benchley remarked that the panic surrounding sharks has notably decreased over the last five decades. She commented, “Shark hunting is barely there,” although she highlighted ongoing issues with the shark fin soup trade, which has been a challenge for years but has seen a rise in recent decades due to increased demand in certain Asian countries.
Wendy has worked with various organizations, including WildAid, to educate people about the detrimental effects of shark fin soup. In her view, the awareness campaign has made significant progress, with an 80% drop in demand in China—an encouraging sign.
Wendy also expressed her hope that her late husband, who passed away in 2006, would be pleased to see the changes in attitudes toward sharks and the ongoing relevance of “Jaws.” “I think he’s very pleased,” she said.
“Jaws @50” is set to premiere on Thursday on National Geographic, with availability for streaming on Disney+ and Hulu.
