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Local Athlete Completes Daring Martha’s Vineyard Swim to Advocate for Sharks
A British-South African endurance swimmer, Lewis Pugh, has made history by completing a grueling 62-mile swim around Martha’s Vineyard. This 12-day feat, finished on Memorial Day, aimed to challenge public perception of sharks, particularly as the 50th anniversary of the iconic film “Jaws” approaches.
Beginning on May 15th, Pugh braved frigid 47-degree waters, swimming multiple hours daily. He openly criticized “Jaws” for portraying sharks as villains, stating, “It was a film about sharks attacking humans, and for 50 years, we have been attacking sharks.” He emphasized the need for respect and protection for these at-risk animals, citing alarming statistics of nearly 100 million sharks killed annually.
The 55-year-old athlete, known for extreme swims near glaciers, volcanoes, and among dangerous wildlife, considered this one of his most challenging endeavors. “It was the cold.
It was the wind. It was the waves, the distance,” Pugh explained.
The psychological toll was also significant, as he was acutely aware of the potential presence of sharks below.
Pugh, a UN Patron of the Oceans, frequently uses his swims to champion environmental causes. He believes dramatic actions are necessary to highlight the urgency of shark conservation. He noted the irony of his swim coinciding with the New England Aquarium’s first white shark sighting of the season near Nantucket.
While safety personnel accompanied Pugh in a boat and kayak equipped with a shark deterrent, he acknowledged the inherent risks. “I’m not saying it’s safe to swim with sharks,” Pugh clarified. “What I’m saying is sharks are really threatened and that we need to be protecting them.”
The film “Jaws,” filmed on Martha’s Vineyard (renamed Amity Island in the movie), significantly influenced public perception of sharks. Both the director, Steven Spielberg, and author, Peter Benchley, later expressed regret about the film’s impact and became involved in shark conservation. Pugh echoed their sentiments, emphasizing the importance of sharks as apex predators essential for a healthy ocean.
Pugh battled challenging conditions, including a nor’easter that brought heavy rain and flooding to the region. Some days, rough waves limited his progress to a single mile, forcing him to intensify his efforts to meet his Memorial Day deadline. He hopes his swim will encourage a shift in public opinion, leading to greater appreciation and protection for these crucial creatures.