Daredevil Swims Shark-Infested Waters for Jaws’ 50th, Champions Shark Conservation

In a bold tribute to the 50th anniversary of Jaws, endurance swimmer Lewis Pugh, 55, is set to tackle a 62-mile swim around Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, in chilly 47-degree waters. Clad only in trunks, a cap, and goggles, Pugh is no stranger to extreme challenges, having swum near glaciers, volcanoes, and among hippos, crocodiles, and polar bears.

Pugh’s mission goes beyond personal triumph. He aims to shift public perception of sharks, vilified since Jaws painted them as ruthless killers in 1975. "For 50 years, we’ve been attacking sharks—it’s unsustainable madness," he told reporters. With an estimated 274,000 sharks killed daily worldwide, Pugh is advocating for their protection, emphasizing their critical role in ocean ecosystems.

Starting Friday, the 12-day swim will see Pugh accompanied by safety crews wielding a shark shield—a device that deters sharks using an electric field without harm. Beyond the swim, he’ll engage with the Vineyard community, including at the iconic Jaws Bridge, to educate locals and tourists about shark conservation.

Jaws, directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Richard Dreyfuss, Roy Scheider, and Robert Shaw, was a cultural phenomenon, becoming the highest-grossing film until Star Wars surpassed it in 1977. Yet its legacy has cast a long shadow on sharks. Pugh’s swim is a call to rewrite that narrative, urging respect for these misunderstood creatures.