Particle.news
Download on the App Store
9 ARTICLES
·
5h ago

Fifty Years On, Jaws Anniversary Reframes Shark Fear as a Call for Conservation

By exposing decades of exaggerated shark threat, the NatGeo documentary highlights gaps in global conservation

Image
Murray Hamilton, left, Richard Dreyfuss and Roy Scheider in a classic scene from "Jaws," which turns 50 in 2025. For many fans, the movie's themes go well beyond a simple fear of ocean predators.
A dusky whaler shark (Carcharhinus obscurus) entangled in Ballina, New South Wales, Australia in 2017. Image courtesy of Sea Shepherd Australia.
Image

Overview

  • The documentary Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story, premiering July 10 on National Geographic and streaming July 11 on Disney+ and Hulu, provides an extensive look at the film’s production and its cultural legacy through new Spielberg interviews
  • Recent research confirms that shark attacks on humans remain extremely rare and showcases advances in shark biology from continuous tooth renewal to long-distance migration mapping
  • Fear-driven policies implemented after Jaws—such as shark culls, protective nets and baited drumlines—have contributed to a more than 70% decline in open-ocean shark populations since 1970
  • Enhanced protections and marine reserves have spurred white shark recoveries in U.S. waters, yet many shark species worldwide continue to face threats from overfishing, habitat loss and legacy fears
  • Experts warn that dismantling half a century of myths about shark aggression is essential for crafting evidence-based policies and safeguarding marine ecosystem balance