Endurance athlete to swim around Martha’s Vineyard to change public perception of sharks
Share this @internewscast.com

VINEYARD HAVEN, Mass. (AP) — Throughout his impressive career as a renowned endurance swimmer, Lewis Pugh has adhered to an unwritten rule: avoid discussing sharks. Yet, this week, he intends to break that silence during his swim around Martha’s Vineyard, the iconic filming location of “Jaws” 50 years ago.

The British-South African swimmer is famed for being the first to achieve long-distance swimming feats across all the world’s oceans, tackling extreme environments from the heights of Mount Everest to the icy Arctic.

“On this swim, it’s very different: We’re just talking about sharks all the time,” joked Pugh, who will, as usual, wear no wetsuit.

For his swim around Martha’s Vineyard in 47-degree (8-degree Celsius) water he will wear just trunks, a cap and goggles.

At 55, Pugh is embracing this endeavor to shift public perception about sharks, now considered at risk. Misrepresented by the film as “villains, as cold-blooded killers,” these creatures need more protection, a cause Pugh is passionate about advocating.

On Thursday, beginning at the Edgartown Harbor Lighthouse, he will swim for three or four hours in the brutally cold surf, mark his progress and spend the rest of his waking hours on the Vineyard educating the public about sharks. Then, he’ll get in the water and do it again — and again, for an estimated 12 days, or however long it takes him to complete the 62-mile (100-kilometer) swim.

He begins the journey just after the New England Aquarium confirmed the first white shark sighting of the season, earlier this week off the coast of Nantucket.

“It’s going to test me not only physically, but also mentally,” he said, while scoping out wind conditions by the starting line. “I mean every single day I’m going to be speaking about sharks, sharks, sharks, sharks. Then, ultimately, I’ve got to get in the water afterwards and do the swim. I suppose you can imagine what I’ll be thinking about.”

A world without predators

Pugh said the swim will be among the most difficult he’s undertaken, which says a lot for someone who has swum near glaciers and volcanoes, and among hippos, crocodiles and polar bears. No one has ever swum around the island of Martha’s Vineyard before.

But Pugh, who often swims to raise awareness for environmental causes — and was this year named the United Nations Patron of the Oceans — said no swim is without risk and that drastic measures are needed to get his message across: Around 274,000 sharks are killed globally each day — a rate of 100 million every year, according to the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

“It was a film about sharks attacking humans and for 50 years, we have been attacking sharks,” he said of “Jaws.” “It’s completely unsustainable. It’s madness. We need to respect them.”

He emphasizes that the swim is not something nonprofessionals should attempt. He’s accompanied by safety personnel in a boat and kayak and uses a “Shark Shield” device that deters sharks using an electric field without harming them.

Pugh remembers feeling fear as a 16-year-old watching “Jaws” for the first time. Over decades of study and research, awe and respect have replaced his fear, as he realized the role they play in maintaining Earth’s increasingly fragile ecosystems.

“I’m more terrified of a world without sharks, or without predators,” he said.

The ‘Jaws’ effect on sharks

“Jaws” is credited for creating Hollywood’s blockbuster culture when it was released in summer 1975, becoming the highest grossing film up until that time and earning three Academy Awards. It would impact how many viewed the ocean for decades to come.

Both director Steven Spielberg and author Peter Benchley have expressed regret over the impact of the film on viewers’ perception of sharks. Both have since contributed to conservation efforts for animals, which have seen populations depleted due to factors like overfishing and climate change.

Discovery Channel and the National Geographic Channel each year release programming about sharks to educate the public about the predator.

Greg Skomal, marine fisheries biologist at Martha’s Vineyard Fisheries within the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, said many people tell him they still won’t swim in the ocean because of the sheer terror caused by the film.

“I tend to hear the expression that, ‘I haven’t gone in the water since ‘Jaws’ came out,’” he said.

But Skomal, who published a book challenging the film’s inaccuracies, said “Jaws” also inspired many people — including him — to study marine biology, leading to increased research, acceptance and respect for the creatures.

If “Jaws” were made today, he doesn’t think it’d have the same effect. But in the 1970s, “it was just perfect in terms of generating this level of fear to a public that was largely uneducated about sharks, because we were uneducated. Scientists didn’t know a lot about sharks.”

Skomal said the biggest threat contributing to the decline of the shark population now is commercial fishing, which exploded in the late 1970s and is today driven by high demand for fins and meat used in food dishes, as well as the use of skin to make leather and oil and cartilage for cosmetics.

“I think we’ve really moved away from this feeling, or the old adage that, ‘The only good shark is a dead shark,’” he said. “We’re definitely morphing from fear to fascination, or perhaps a combination of both.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Travel warning: Delta Air Lines credit card policy nearly strands couple in London, England | What to know

Travel Alert: Delta Air Lines Credit Card Policy Almost Leaves Couple Stuck in London, England | Essential Information

PHILADELPHIA — There is an important alert for airline travelers. In addition…
Charlie Kirk’s Mission Lives On: Why We Must Carry the Torch

Continuing Charlie Kirk’s Legacy: The Importance of Upholding His Vision

By Cliff Maloney My friend, mentor, and American visionary, Charlie Kirk, was…
Chicago Cubs set to take on San Diego Padres in first MLB playoff game at Wrigley Field since 2020

Chicago Cubs Gear Up to Face San Diego Padres in First Wrigley Field MLB Playoff Since 2020

CHICAGO (WLS) — It’s an exciting day on the city’s North Side.…
Arrest warrant issued for California doctor in Louisiana abortion pill case

California Doctor Faces Arrest Warrant in Louisiana Over Abortion Pill Case

Authorities in Louisiana have an arrest warrant out for a California doctor…
Michigan church shooter's romance history emerges as suspect's father apologizes to victims' families

Community of LDS Church Members Raises Over $140K for Family of Michigan Shooting Victim

Members associated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have…
Iowa school superintendent resigns after ICE arrest rocks Des Moines district

Iowa School Chief Steps Down Following Immigration Arrest Impacting Des Moines District

The Iowa school superintendent, recently detained by federal immigration officials, has decided…
Reported threat at Jewish Congregation of Venice prompts large police response

Large Police Presence Responds to Reported Threat at Venice Jewish Congregation

The Jewish Congregation received phone calls threatening to “kill everyone,” according to…
FBI takes 4 illegal immigrants in Portland into custody after lasers aimed at CBP aircraft

FBI Detains 4 Undocumented Migrants in Portland Following Laser Incident with CBP Aircraft

An FBI raid on a property tied to a suspect accused of…
'Dancing with the Stars' week 3 recap: Ballroom shocked by TikTok night elimination

‘Dancing with the Stars’ Week 3 Recap: TikTok Night Ends in Unexpected Elimination

TikTok took center stage in the ballroom Tuesday night during week three…
Utah gov marks turning point as TPUSA returns after Charlie Kirk assassination

Utah Governor Marks Milestone as TPUSA Reunites Following Incident Involving Charlie Kirk

LOGAN, Utah – Turning Point USA returned to Utah Tuesday night for…
Trump plans 100% tax on foreign-made films

Trump Proposes Full Tax on Internationally Produced Films

Claiming that movie production has been “stolen” from Hollywood and the U.S.,…
Blue city felon with violent history arrested in deadly train platform stabbing after parole release: report

Violent Ex-Felon Recently Released on Parole Arrested for Fatal Stabbing at Train Platform, Report Says

Police and a local news report indicate that a paroled felon with…