For decades, popular media have portrayed Sharks, particularly the Great White, as mindless monsters hell bent on feasting on any and all unsuspecting swimmers within sniffing distance. This is in great contrast to the reality of these animals, which consist of over 450 unique species, only four of which are known to have any notable fatal incidents with humans.
On average, less than five humans have been killed by unprovoked shark attacks, as opposed to the 100 million sharks killed by the fishing industry each year. This terrifying perception of sharks in the media has been largely shaped by sensationalism, stereotypes, and yes, a few rare notable incidents of actual shark attacks. This portrayal has had a significant impact on public perception and has perpetuated misconceptions about these magnificent creatures that have had real world consequences.
‘Jaws’
The most obvious movie that has had the most responsibility in shaping the negative perception of sharks was the 1975 blockbuster film ‘Jaws’. Directed by Steven Spielberg, the film depicted a great white shark terrorizing a small beach town, devouring swimmers with apparent malice. ‘Jaws’ became a cultural phenomenon as Hollywood’s first blockbuster, but the very real setting of the film shocked audiences and ingrained a fear of the ocean and specifically of sharks in the minds of an entire generation.
The movie’s success, subsequent sequels and the infinite number of copycat films inspired by it only served to reinforce the idea that sharks were a constant threat to human life.
Though sharks were somewhat feared prior to its release, Jaws completely transformed what used to be a reasonably obscure ocean predator into beach goers number one fear regardless of if sharks even existed anywhere near them.
Dubbed the ‘Jaws Effect’, this public anxiety has been known to inspire leagues of fishermen to kill sharks for sport, even those species with no history or propensity to attack people.
The ‘Jaws’ film had effectively villainized an entire grouping of aquatic life, creating the feeling that they need to be killed to protect humans, as shown in the movie. However, it is important to note that while the ‘Jaws Effect’ did result in many sharks being killed, and has made the public largely antagonistic towards them, it’s not responsible for the endangerment of sharks as a whole, which was mostly caused by overfishing.
Distorted view
Media coverage of shark attacks has also contributed to the negative perception. While these incidents are statistically rare, they receive extensive media attention, often painting sharks as vicious killers. News headlines sensationalize attacks, focusing on the gruesome details and perpetuating fear. This skewed representation creates a distorted view of the actual risk posed by sharks and fuels public anxiety, resulting in even one rare shark attack inspiring public outrage, regardless of if it was provoked or not.
This has led to the culling of entire shark populations in retaliation, even though there has been proof that culling has no effect on the frequency of shark attacks, as was the case with Western Australia in 2014.
Documentaries and TV shows have played a dual role in shaping perceptions of sharks. While some educational programs strive to demystify these animals with accurate information, there are still others that cater to sensationalism and exploit people’s inherent fear. Discovery’s internationally beloved ‘Shark Week’ was originally dedicated to the conservation of sharks, and strived to correct the popular misconceptions about sharks.
But as it gained popularity the show has been hit with some criticism for focusing more on entertainment than education, frequently making facts up, using junk science, and covering fake stories, the most infamous of which was their mockumentary on Megalodons, a long extinct species of shark, presented as real.
However, it’s important to note that in recent years, there has been a shift in media portrayal regarding sharks. Efforts to raise awareness about the importance of conservation and dispel misconceptions have gained momentum.
Filmmakers and conservationists have produced documentaries that shed light on the ecological significance of sharks and highlight their critical role in maintaining a balanced marine ecosystem. But they are still being outshone in the box office by the admittedly more exciting and sensationalist shark attack movies being made to this day.