Last summer, a great white shark washed up on the shores of Nantucket, Massachusetts. A vacationing family stumbled upon the beached giant, flailing in the shallow waves, and made a surprising decision. With cautious determination, they approached the shark and pushed it back into the ocean. The video of this daring rescue quickly went viral, capturing a feel-good story tinged with danger.
However, 50 years ago, during the summer of 1975 when “Jaws” first hit theaters, such an encounter might have unfolded very differently. On June 20, 1975, Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws” was released, forever changing the landscape of cinema and sparking a worldwide fascination with sharks. According to the American Film Institute, it was the first film to gross more than $100 million at the U.S. box office. Based on Peter Benchley’s best-selling novel, “Jaws” ignited a surge of interest in sharks, both as a subject of study and as trophies to be hunted.
The Impact of ‘Jaws’
Wendy Benchley, a long-time ocean conservationist and wife of “Jaws” author Peter Benchley, recalls the film’s profound impact. “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.” Benchley appears in the upcoming National Geographic documentary “Jaws @ 50,” reflecting on the film’s legacy.
The film’s release coincided with a spike in shark hunting, inspired by the character Quint, played by Robert Shaw. The number of great whites caught and killed surged in the years following the film. Spielberg himself expressed regret over this unintended consequence during a 2022 interview on BBC Radio 4’s “Desert Island Discs.”
“I truly and to this day regret the decimation of the shark population because of the [‘Jaws’] book and the film. I really, truly regret that.” – Steven Spielberg
Despite the initial wave of shark hunting, “Jaws” also inspired a new generation of marine scientists. Richard Dreyfuss’ character, Matt Hooper, became a role model, leading to increased enrollment in marine science programs, such as a 30% rise at the Rosenstiel School of Marine Science at the University of Miami.
Shark Populations in Decline
While “Jaws” may not be solely responsible, the global shark population has plummeted in the decades since its release. A 2021 report in the journal Nature highlighted a 71% decline in sharks and rays since 1970, largely due to an 18-fold increase in fishing. Wendy Benchley paints an even grimmer picture, stating that only 10% of the sharks remain compared to 40 years ago.
Overfishing and the demand for shark fin soup, particularly in China and other Asian countries, have significantly contributed to this decline. However, efforts by organizations like WildAid have reduced the demand for shark fin soup by 85%, thanks to 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, the number of unprovoked shark bites has decreased, with 47 recorded in 2024, down from an annual average of 64. However, along the East Coast of the United States, sightings and bites are on the rise. Florida remains the most likely place to encounter a shark, with 14 bites in 2024. Meanwhile, a 2023 shark attack on Rockaway Beach in Queens, New York, marked the first such incident in the state since the 1950s.
The resurgence of sharks in these areas is attributed to the return of seals, their natural prey, due to successful conservation efforts. Climate change may also play a role, as warming oceans attract marine life that, in turn, attracts sharks. A 2024 study found that younger great whites are increasingly drawn to warm, shallow seas.
“There are more great white sharks along the East Coast, and that is an environmental success story.” – Wendy Benchley
While Benchley views the return of great whites as positive, she acknowledges the concerns of swimmers and offers practical advice: Stay in shallow waters, avoid swimming at dawn or dusk, and steer clear of seals.
The Legacy of ‘Jaws’
As we reflect on the 50th anniversary of “Jaws,” its legacy remains complex. The film that once inspired shark hunts also motivated a generation of scientists to study and protect these majestic creatures. Wendy Benchley finds solace in the fact that today’s beachgoers, when faced with a beached shark, choose to save rather than harm it.
“Thank heavens. People finally understand how vital sharks are.” – Wendy Benchley
In the end, “Jaws” leaves behind a legacy that is as multifaceted as the ocean itself, reminding us of the delicate balance between fear and fascination, destruction and conservation.
