Historic Swim Around Martha’s Vineyard Raises Awareness for Shark Conservation

Fifty years after the iconic film Jaws was released, a South African endurance swimmer, Lewis Pugh, has completed a record-breaking swim around Martha’s Vineyard to highlight the importance of protecting sharks. The grueling 100-kilometer circuit, which took 12 days to complete, aimed to raise awareness about the need to conserve these magnificent creatures.

Pugh, who began his swim on May 15, faced numerous challenges, including cold water, constant winds, and waves. Despite these obstacles, he persevered, driven by his mission to promote shark conservation. "It’s been a long journey, it really has," Pugh said after completing the swim. "Twelve days, cold water, constant winds, waves, and always thinking about what may be beneath me, it’s been a big swim, a very big swim."

The swimmer, who has had a 40-year career, described this swim as one of the most difficult he has ever undertaken. "The biggest challenge on this swim has been the wind," Pugh explained. "When you have wind day after day, you have waves, and when you add the distance and the thought of what may be beneath you, it becomes attritional after a while."

Pugh’s endeavor coincides with the New England Aquarium’s first confirmed sighting of a white shark this season, off the nearby island of Nantucket. Although he did not encounter any sharks during his swim, Pugh expressed his admiration for the island’s wildlife, including the seals he saw along the way. "There on the corner, we saw lots of seals, which are also just absolutely wonderful," he said. "This is a truly beautiful part of the American coastline."

The swim also serves as a reminder of the impact of the film Jaws on public perception of sharks. Released in 1975, the movie created a culture of fear around these animals, which has contributed to their decline due to commercial fishing. Both the film’s director, Steven Spielberg, and author Peter Benchley later expressed regret over the fear their work instilled in the public and contributed to conservation efforts.

Pugh’s message is clear: sharks are "magnificent creatures" that are essential for life on Earth. As he told the Associated Press, "This is about explaining just how important sharks are for all of us." His swim around Martha’s Vineyard is a testament to his dedication to raising awareness about the importance of shark conservation. With his remarkable achievement, Pugh hopes to inspire others to join him in promoting the protection of these incredible animals.