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Lewis Pugh Advances Shark Conservation Midway Through Historic Martha’s Vineyard Swim

The endurance swimmer’s 62-mile journey around the island, marking the 50th anniversary of 'Jaws,' highlights the ecological importance of sharks and the urgent need for their protection.

Endurance swimmer Lewis Pugh gestures to where he will begin his swim around Martha's Vineyard island, which is expected to take 12 days, near the Edgartown Lighthouse, Monday, May 12, 2025, in Edgartown, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
A visitor arrives at a shop selling Jaws-related souvenirs, Wednesday, May 14, 2025, in Edgartown, Mass. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
A shopper walks past items featuring the Jaws movie at Neptune's Sea Chest gift shop, Monday, May 12, 2025, in Vineyard Haven, Mass., on Martha's Vineyard Island. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
A family walks to the span of the American Legion Memorial Bridge, also known as the "Jaws Bridge", while spending the day fishing, Monday, May 12, 2025, in Edgartown, Mass., on Martha's Vineyard Island. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Overview

  • Lewis Pugh is in the midst of a 12-day, 62-mile swim around Martha’s Vineyard, swimming 3–4 hours daily in 47°F water without a wetsuit.
  • The swim coincides with the 50th anniversary of 'Jaws,' aiming to challenge the film’s portrayal of sharks as villains and shift public perception.
  • Pugh’s effort is part of a broader three-year campaign to engage a billion people in ocean conservation ahead of a key UN conference in June 2025.
  • Shark populations have declined by 70% since the 1970s due to overfishing, finning, and habitat loss, threatening marine ecosystems and global biodiversity.
  • Supported by a safety crew and Shark Shield device, Pugh is also educating the public ashore each evening about the critical role of sharks in ocean health.