Lewis Pugh, renowned for his fearless endurance swims across some of the world’s most extreme environments, is breaking an unspoken rule by openly discussing sharks during his latest challenge: a 100-kilometre swim around Martha’s Vineyard, the iconic filming location of Jaws. Unlike previous swims in freezing waters and dangerous conditions, this time sharks are at the forefront of his mission.
The British-South African swimmer, known for completing long-distance swims in every ocean, is undertaking the swim in 8-degree Celsius (47-degree Fahrenheit) water without a wetsuit. Pugh’s goal is to shift public perception of sharks, often portrayed as villains since the release of Jaws 50 years ago. He stresses that sharks are crucial to marine ecosystems and calls for increased protection for these now-threatened animals.
Starting from Edgartown Harbor Lighthouse, Pugh began with an initial 6.2-kilometre swim, warming up afterward on a boat while curious seals watched nearby. He plans to repeat this daily effort for about 12 days to complete the full distance. Alongside the physical challenge, he dedicates time on the island to educate the public about the importance of sharks.
This swim coincides with the first white shark sighting of the season off Nantucket, adding a timely element to his awareness campaign. Pugh acknowledges the mental and physical difficulty of the swim, especially as sharks will be a constant topic of conversation and concern throughout.
Pugh’s swims are often linked to environmental causes, and as a UN Patron of the Oceans, he highlights the alarming statistic that roughly 274,000 sharks are killed globally each day. He stresses that fear of sharks, fueled by Jaws, has led to unsustainable hunting practices that threaten ocean health.
Accompanied by safety teams and using a non-harmful electric deterrent called a “Shark Shield,” Pugh’s swim is carefully managed for safety. Reflecting on his own transformation from fear to respect for sharks, he points out that these predators play a vital role in maintaining balanced ecosystems.
While Jaws instilled widespread fear upon its 1975 release, marine biologists like Greg Skomal note the film also inspired interest and research into sharks. Today, although commercial fishing poses the greatest threat to shark populations, public attitudes are gradually shifting from fear to fascination, creating hope for their conservation and survival.
READ MORE: