Overview

• Jaws’s 1975 release sparked widespread shark fear that led to culling programs and destabilized marine ecosystems.
• Conservationists have leveraged science communication and citizen-driven tagging programs to humanize sharks and advocate for policy changes.
• Global shark tourism now generates about $314 million annually and supports over 10 000 jobs in destinations such as Australia, the Bahamas, Fiji and South Africa.
• The 50th anniversary has featured screenings at the Egyptian Theatre and TCM Film Festival, re-releases on major platforms and a restored Bruce shark exhibit at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.
• The enduring controversy over the USS Indianapolis monologue’s authorship highlights the film’s collaborative creation, even as modern filmmakers call for a return to practical effects to recapture its visceral impact.