rewriting the jaws story

By: Emma Carlton

The power of media is undeniable, particularly when it comes to influencing public perception. The fear we feel when we glimpse a fin in the water—an instinctive, gut-wrenching terror—wasn’t something we were born with. It was learned, carefully crafted by stories that painted sharks as ruthless, man-eating monsters. Since the release of Jaws, followed by films like The Shallows and 47 Meters Down, sharks have consistently been cast as villains, shaping a deep-rooted fear in the collective mind that sharks are bloodthirsty predators waiting to attack.

Yet, this portrayal is far from reality. For over 450 million years, sharks have been essential guardians of the ocean, playing an irreplaceable role in maintaining marine ecosystem health. Despite their importance, human actions—fueled by fear and misinformation—have driven sharks to the brink of extinction. Recent studies reveal that 71% of all shark species have vanished from the oceans, with 77% threatened by extinction. For centuries, many people believed that humans couldn't possibly impact ocean life enough to cause extinction (Field et al., 2009). Yet here we are, in danger of losing one of the ocean’s apex predators forever.

If sharks disappear, the ocean's delicate balance will unravel. Think of it like a puzzle where every piece is essential for completion. Removing sharks would trigger a domino effect, leading to an imbalanced ecosystem that could ultimately collapse. Sharks are crucial for a functioning ocean, benefiting both marine life and humans by maintaining species diversity and population balance. The issues surrounding shark survival highlight the urgent need for conservation efforts and, importantly, a change in public perception.

Building support for shark conservation begins with addressing and overcoming public fear. Research shows that people’s attitudes towards sharks have become more positive in recent years, but the fear remains deeply rooted, and tragically, over 100 million sharks are killed each year (Casola et al., 2022). How can we dispel this fear?

The answer lies in education and exposure. By offering opportunities for people to see sharks in their natural habitat, to understand their true behavior and role in the ocean, we can dismantle the myths that media has long perpetuated. These incredible animals are not monsters; they are vital, misunderstood creatures whose survival is tied to the health of our oceans—and ultimately, to our own survival.

Resources:

Field, I. et al. (2009). Chapter 4 Susceptibility of sharks, rays, and chimaeras to global extinction.

Science Direct. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0065-2881(09)56004-X

Casola, W. et al. (2022). Influence of social media on fear of sharks, perceptions of intentionality

associated with shark bites, and shark management preferences. Frontiers in

Communication. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcomm.2022.1033347

Photo: Nika Kuznetsova (@nikakuzphoto)