Last summer, a great white shark washed ashore on Nantucket, Massachusetts. A vacationing family stumbled upon the massive creature struggling in the shallow waves and made a surprising decision. Instead of retreating, they cautiously approached and helped push the shark back into the ocean. The video of this daring act quickly went viral, capturing a feel-good moment tinged with danger.
Fifty years ago, during the summer of 1975 when “Jaws” first hit theaters, such an encounter might have ended very differently. On June 20, 1975, Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws” debuted, forever changing the film industry by creating the modern blockbuster and sparking a global fascination with sharks. According to the American Film Institute, it was the first film to gross over $100 million at the U.S. box office. Based on Peter Benchley’s best-selling novel, “Jaws” not only ignited interest in studying sharks but also fueled a surge in shark hunting.
The Impact of ‘Jaws’
Wendy Benchley, an ocean conservationist and wife of “Jaws” author Peter Benchley, reflects on the film’s dual legacy. “When ‘Jaws’ came out, there was an uptick in shark tournaments,” she noted. “This fictional book and movie somehow gave people the license to kill sharks.” Her comments echo the film’s complex legacy, which includes a spike in shark hunting and a newfound interest in marine science.
The film’s impact was profound and immediate. Inspired by the character Quint, played by Robert Shaw, many fans took to the seas to hunt sharks. The number of recorded great whites caught and killed surged in the years following the film’s release. Spielberg himself expressed regret over the unintended consequences, stating on BBC Radio 4’s “Desert Island Discs” in 2022, “I truly and to this day regret the decimation of the shark population because of the [‘Jaws’] book and the film.”
However, the film also inspired positive outcomes. It spurred interest in marine biology, with enrollment at the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine Science increasing by 30% following the film’s release. The character of Matt Hooper, played by Richard Dreyfuss, became a role model for aspiring marine scientists.
Shark Populations: A Decline and a Rebound
While “Jaws” is not solely responsible, the global shark population has dramatically decreased since the film’s release. A 2021 report in the scientific journal Nature highlighted a 71% decline in sharks and rays since 1970, primarily due to an 18-fold increase in fishing. Wendy Benchley emphasizes the dire situation, stating, “We only have 10% of the sharks left that we had in the ocean 40 years ago.”
Overfishing and the demand for shark fin soup have devastated shark populations. However, efforts by organizations like WildAid have reduced the demand for shark fins by 85%, thanks to high-profile campaigns featuring celebrities like Yao Ming and Jackie Chan.
“You’ve got to have apex predators in the ocean to keep the ecosystem in balance.” – Wendy Benchley
Are Shark Attacks on the Rise?
Globally, shark attacks are not increasing. The International Shark Attack File reported 47 unprovoked shark bites in 2024, below the recent annual average of 64. However, along the U.S. East Coast, sightings and bites are rising. Florida remains the most likely place to encounter a shark, with 14 bites in 2024. A 2023 attack on Rockaway Beach in New York marked the first such incident in the state since the 1950s. Cape Cod has also become a hotspot for great whites, frustrating beachgoers.
This resurgence is attributed to the growing seal populations, which attract their natural predators, the great whites. “There are more great white sharks along the East Coast, and that is an environmental success story,” Benchley remarked.
“Sharks do not like humans. We don’t have enough fat on us. They’d much rather have a seal.” – Wendy Benchley
Climate change may also play a role. Warming oceans could draw other marine life, enticing sharks. While great whites were thought to prefer cooler waters, a 2024 study found younger sharks favor warm, shallow seas.
The Legacy of ‘Jaws’
The legacy of “Jaws” is complex. It inspired both fear and fascination, leading to increased shark hunting and a surge in marine science interest. Wendy Benchley finds comfort in the changing attitudes towards sharks. When a beached shark was discovered in Nantucket, the instinct was to save it, not harm it. For Benchley, whose husband taught the world to fear the ocean but also worked to preserve it, this represents a victory.
“Thank heavens,” she said. “People finally understand how vital sharks are.”
