Shark Expert Celebrates 'Jaws' Anniversary: How the Flawed Film Saved Sharks

When Steven Spielberg's hugely successful movie Jaws Launched into theaters in June 1975, it sparked a global frenzy over shark attacks, resulting in numerous sharks being killed by people.

However, as the classic summer blockbuster approaches its 50th anniversary, a specialist in the politics of shark attacks has noted that it should be commended for increasing public engagement in shark conservation efforts.

Jaws "justified and reduced resistance to all subsequent anti-shark public policies,” noted Chris Pepin-Neff, a public policy lecturer at the University of Sydney. in an article for Scientific American on Monday .

And still, at the age of 50, Jaws "It is also a tribute to sharks, fostering an interest that has inspired over two generations of new shark researchers," he states.

For almost two decades, Pepin-Neff has been examining how politicians in Australia and elsewhere react to shark incidents, particularly focusing on how they use cinematic references to support their decisions—a trend identified by Pepin-Neff. calls the " Jaws Effect.”

They argue Interventions like shark culls, protective nets, and trap lines offer minimal safety benefits for swimmers and cause significant damage to marine life, reinforcing the misguided notion that oceans can be controlled by human regulations.

Pepin-Neff noted that the film initially made its mark by depicting shark bites as deliberate 'attacks' on swimmers,” [and this] “fictional portrayal of the human-shark dynamic … stands out as one of the most influential Hollywood stories ever told through cinema.

He points out that people were so thoroughly convinced of this narrative of deliberate intent that they viewed each shark attack as a form of murder, saw every shark as a possible killer, and considered the beach the setting for crimes committed by dangerous predators against unsuspecting swimmers.

The shark population has significantly declined over the last several decades, as depicted in the film reportedly inspired a brief surge of catch-and-release fishing along the U.S. coastline.

However, it remains unclear just how much Jaws was related to the general decrease, as sharks are caught commercially to produce shark fin soup in much larger quantities than they are killed for sports purposes—or out of retaliation or fear.

Either way, Pepin-Neff also notes how many people involved with the making of the film later became strong advocates of shark protection, such as diver and documentarian Valerie Taylor and scientific consultant Leonard Compagno.

Peter Benchley, who wrote the original novel that Spielberg's film is adapted from He often voiced his support for sharks and authored a book asserting that humans cause them more harm than they do to us.

"Please, for the sake of nature, refrain from launching a senseless attack on an endangered creature for committing an innocent—but tragically impactful—error," he penned. In an open letter dated 2000 , appealing to Australians not to harm a shark that had recently caused a fatal incident.

This was not an aggressive shark, driven by the flavor of human flesh and destined to continue attacking repeatedly. These kinds of animals do not actually exist, even though you may have concluded this from various sources. Jaws .”

Spielberg too has mentioned he "sincerely laments" the effect Jaws had on sharks , jesting that they could still be “upset with him because of the feeding frenzy involving crazed sports fishers that occurred following 1975.”

“Nowadays, people have developed a greater respect for all types of sharks, including those found close to shore,” concluded Pepin-Neff. “The shift in public perception making it seem ‘safe to return to the sea’ can be attributed to this change.” Jaws.

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