Endurance swimmer Lewis Pugh is attempting a historic 62-mile swim along Martha’s Vineyard to challenge perceptions of sharks. Marking the 50th anniversary of Jaws, Pugh braves frigid waters in this global shark hotspot.

Martha's Vineyard

British South African endurance swimmer Lewis Pugh is attempting to swim around Martha’s Vineyard in a 100-kilometre journey to challenge public perceptions of sharks. The swim, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the film Jaws, will take place in cold 8-degree waters off the coast of the island, known as a global hotspot for shark activity.

Pugh, aged 55, is recognised as the United Nations Patron of the Oceans. His past swims include routes near glaciers and volcanoes and in waters with hippos, crocodiles, and polar bears. For this challenge, he is swimming three to four hours per day over an estimated 12 days, using only trunks, a cap, goggles, and a shark shield device for safety.

Pugh has stated that the swim aims to address the negative reputation of sharks, which he says was fuelled by the portrayal of sharks in Jaws. He believes that sharks are not the villains depicted in popular media and that they are essential for healthy oceans. Pugh’s position is echoed by Jaws director Steven Spielberg, who has publicly regretted the film’s impact on sharks and is now involved in shark conservation efforts.

The swim also highlights broader concerns about shark populations, with Pugh drawing attention to the threats posed by climate change and overfishing. He cites statistics indicating that approximately 274,000 sharks are killed daily and describes this as unsustainable. Pugh’s message is one of conservation and a shift in attitude from fear to fascination regarding sharks.



Swimmer challenges shark stigma at 'Jaws' anniversary

Martha's Vineyard, the iconic setting of Jaws, is now the stage for a ground-breaking challenge. British South African endurance swimmer Lewis Pugh is attempting to become the first person ever to swim around the island, a 100 kilometre journey in just 8 degree water. The 55-year-old is the United Nations Patron of the Oceans, having swum near glaciers and volcanoes, also among hippos, crocodiles and polar bears. He's facing brutal conditions once again, and this time in the presence of great white sharks. I have always wanted to do a swim to talk about sharks. And the 50th anniversary of Jaws, which was filmed on this island, is the perfect opportunity to do a swim to talk about sharks. Wearing only trunks, a cap and goggles, Pugh will swim three to four hours daily for an estimated 12 days, using a shark shield device for safety. His goal? To challenge the fear Jaws instilled exactly 50 years ago, a film he says unfairly vilified sharks. Portrayed sharks as villains out to kill humans, they are obviously nothing of the sort. Sharks are essential for the health of our oceans. The sentiment has since been shared by Jaws director Steven Spielberg, who's expressed regret over the film's impact on sharks, and who is now a key contributor to their conservation efforts. With threats of climate change and overfishing, Pugh's swim is also a call to action. About 274,000 sharks are killed every single day. It's completely unsustainable. It's an ecocide which is taking place. And so my message to people around the world is we have to protect sharks. As he prepares for the toughest challenge in 40 years of swimming, Pugh's message on sharks is clear. It's time to move from fear to fascination.

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