Latest news with #UnitedNationsPatronoftheOceans
New York Post
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Swimmer reveals how he conquered grueling, frigid 12-day mission on ‘Jaws' anniversary to prove ‘sharks are not monsters'
A shark activist swimmer who spent 12 days swimming around Martha's Vineyard to mark the 50th anniversary of 'Jaws' revealed he broke his cardinal rule during the grueling — and frigid — 60-mile journey. Lewis Pugh, 55, had promised himself not to think about what sharks might be lurking below him as he tried to draw attention to the fact the animals are no monsters. 'There was one day when I was getting into the water and it was very, very early in the morning,' Pugh told The Post. 'The sun hadn't even risen. It was just twilight and I'm lowering myself into dark black water. 'If you've been talking about sharks all day long the day before, guess what you're thinking about when you lower yourself down that ladder?' 4 Lewis Pugh completed a swim around Martha's Vineyard on Monday to bring attention to a shark 'ecocide' on the 50th anniversary of the thriller 'Jaws.' Kevin Trautman But the 55-year-old British-South African swimmer didn't have any close encounters. 'Sharks are not monsters, they are magnificent,' he said. 'They're essential. They're seriously endangered… If you take them out, the entire ecosystem starts to collapse.' ''Jaws' has shaped the narrative about sharks for the past 50 years as cold-blooded killers out to get us, and it's created a culture of fear around the world … I felt that now was a once-in-a-generation opportunity to change a narrative,' he said. . Although Pugh has completed swims in all of the world's oceans, this particular task pushed him to the limit, he said. 'It's been a long journey, it really has,' he said after the swim — which was completed Monday and comes ahead of the 50th anniversary of the blockbuster film from director Steven Spielberg. 'Twelve days, cold water, constant wind, waves, and then always thinking of what may be beneath me<' he said. 'It's been a big swim. A very big swim,' Pugh battled bad weather for most of the 25-hour-and-51-minute swim around the island, with the exception of gorgeous, clear skies on the first and last days of the journey, he said. 4 Pugh battled bad weather for most of the 25 hour and 51 minute swim around the island, with the exception of gorgeous,clear skies on the first and last days of the journey. Kevin Trautman And he didn't have any run-ins with sharks, but he did have many pleasant interactions with other sea creatures on calmer days. 4 Pugh said he had no run-ins with any sharks and instead had many pleasant interactions with other sea creatures on calmer days. Kevin Trautman 'On a number of occasions, seals would pop up and be looking at me and birds would be diving into the sea to eat fish. What a joy, what an utter joy,' he said. Pugh — who has been named a United Nations Patron of the Oceans and often swims to raise awareness for environmental causes — will now work to convince world leaders to act on what he described as an 'ecocide' of sharks across the globe. 'The main direct threat to sharks is commercial fishing, and the data is so shocking. On average, 274,000 sharks are killed globally every day. So, 274,000 sharks a day. That's 100 million per annum,' Pugh explained. 'It's complete madness. It's an ecocide happening right now.' 4 Pugh will now work to convince lawmakers to give sharks the highest wildlife protections possible. Kevin Trautman This week, Pugh will attend an Oceans conference in France, where he will explain to environmental ministers why sharks should be granted top wildlife protections from lawmakers. The long-distance swimmer and environmentalist says he plans on doing similar swims in the future to bring attention to other ecocides, climate change, and endangered species. 'The 'Jaws 'movie was so successful. It was the music, and for the past 50 years it set the agenda, or it set the narrative, for sharks… this swim was very symbolic on the 50th anniversary. 'But I need to be doing similar campaigns in many parts of the world in Indonesia, in Australia, in South Africa, in India, in China… conservation takes time,' he said.
NBC News
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NBC News
Endurance swimmer closes in circumnavigation of Martha's Vineyard ahead of ‘Jaws' 50th
VINEYARD HAVEN, Mass. — A British-South African endurance athlete is closing in on the finish line of his 62-mile (100-kilometer) multi-day swim around Martha's Vineyard on Monday, aiming to become the first becoming the first person to swim all the way around the island. Lewis Pugh began swimming multiple hours a day in the 47-degree (8-degree Celsius) water on May 15 to raise awareness about the plight of sharks as the film 'Jaws' nears its 50th birthday. He wants to change public perceptions and encourage protections for the at-risk animals — which he said the film maligned as 'villains, as cold-blooded killers.' 'It was a film about sharks attacking humans and for 50 years, we have been attacking sharks,' he said before plunging into the ocean near the Edgartown Lighthouse. 'It's completely unsustainable. It's madness. We need to respect them.' Pugh, 55, said this would be among his most difficult endurance swims, which says a lot for someone who has swum near glaciers and volcanoes, and among hippos, crocodiles and polar bears. Pugh was the first athlete to swim across the North Pole and complete a long-distance swim in every one of the world's oceans. But Pugh, who often swims to raise awareness for environmental causes — he's been named a United Nations Patron of the Oceans — said no swim is without risk, and that drastic measures are needed to get his message across: Around 274,000 sharks are killed globally each day — a rate of nearly 100 million every year, according to the American Association for the Advancement of Science. 'Jaws,' which was filmed in Edgartown, renamed Amity Island for the movie, created Hollywood's blockbuster culture when it was released in summer 1975, setting new box office records and earning three Academy Awards. The movie would shape views of the ocean for decades to come. Both director Steven Spielberg and author Peter Benchley expressed regret that viewers of the film became so afraid of sharks, and both later contributed to conservation efforts as their populations declined, largely due to commercial fishing. Day after day, Pugh has entered the island's frigid waters wearing just trunks, a cap and goggles, enduring foul weather as a nor'easter dumped 7 inches (18 centimeters) of rain on parts of New England and flooded streets on Martha's Vineyard. Pugh's endeavor also coincides with the New England Aquarium's first confirmed sighting this season of a white shark, off the nearby island of Nantucket. Just in case, he's accompanied by safety personnel in a boat and a kayak, whose paddler is using a 'Shark Shield' device to create a low-intensity electric field in the water to deter sharks without harming them.
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
Swimmer nears Martha's Vineyard loop ahead of ‘Jaws' 50th anniversary
VINEYARD HAVEN, Mass. -- A British-South African endurance athlete is closing in on the finish line of his 62-mile (100-kilometer) multi-day swim around Martha's Vineyard on Monday, aiming to become the first becoming the first person to swim all the way around the island. Lewis Pugh began swimming multiple hours a day in the 47-degree (8-degree Celsius) water on May 15 to raise awareness about the plight of sharks as the film 'Jaws' nears its 50th birthday. He wants to change public perceptions and encourage protections for the at-risk animals — which he said the film maligned as 'villains, as cold-blooded killers.' 'It was a film about sharks attacking humans and for 50 years, we have been attacking sharks,' he said before plunging into the ocean near the Edgartown Lighthouse. 'It's completely unsustainable. It's madness. We need to respect them.' Pugh, 55, said this would be among his most difficult endurance swims, which says a lot for someone who has swum near glaciers and volcanoes, and among hippos, crocodiles and polar bears. Pugh was the first athlete to swim across the North Pole and complete a long-distance swim in every one of the world's oceans. But Pugh, who often swims to raise awareness for environmental causes — he's been named a United Nations Patron of the Oceans — said no swim is without risk, and that drastic measures are needed to get his message across: Around 274,000 sharks are killed globally each day — a rate of nearly 100 million every year, according to the American Association for the Advancement of Science. 'Jaws,' which was filmed in Edgartown, renamed Amity Island for the movie, created Hollywood's blockbuster culture when it was released in summer 1975, setting new box office records and earning three Academy Awards. The movie would shape views of the ocean for decades to come. Both director Steven Spielberg and author Peter Benchley expressed regret that viewers of the film became so afraid of sharks, and both later contributed to conservation efforts as their populations declined, largely due to commercial fishing. Day after day, Pugh has entered the island's frigid waters wearing just trunks, a cap and goggles, enduring foul weather as a nor'easter dumped 7 inches (18 centimeters) of rain on parts of New England and flooded streets on Martha's Vineyard. Pugh's endeavor also coincides with the New England Aquarium's first confirmed sighting this season of a white shark, off the nearby island of Nantucket. Just in case, he's accompanied by safety personnel in a boat and a kayak, whose paddler is using a 'Shark Shield' device to create a low-intensity electric field in the water to deter sharks without harming them.
Boston Globe
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Endurance swimmer closes in circumnavigation of Martha's Vineyard ahead of ‘Jaws' 50th
Advertisement Pugh, 55, said this would be among his most difficult endurance swims, which says a lot for someone who has swum near glaciers and volcanoes, and among hippos, crocodiles and polar bears. Pugh was the first athlete to swim across the North Pole and complete a long-distance swim in every one of the world's oceans. But Pugh, who often swims to raise awareness for environmental causes — he's been named a United Nations Patron of the Oceans — said no swim is without risk, and that drastic measures are needed to get his message across: Around 274,000 sharks are killed globally each day — a rate of nearly 100 million every year, according to the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Advertisement 'Jaws,' which was filmed in Edgartown, renamed Amity Island for the movie, created Hollywood's blockbuster culture when it was released in summer 1975, setting new box office records and earning three Academy Awards. The movie would shape views of the ocean for decades to come. Both director Steven Spielberg and author Peter Benchley expressed regret that viewers of the film became so afraid of sharks, and both later contributed to conservation efforts as their populations declined, largely due to commercial fishing. Day after day, Pugh has entered the island's frigid waters wearing just trunks, a cap and goggles, enduring foul weather as a nor'easter dumped 7 inches (18 centimeters) of rain on parts of New England and flooded streets on Martha's Vineyard. Pugh's endeavor also coincides with the New England Aquarium's first confirmed sighting this season of a white shark, off the nearby island of Nantucket. Just in case, he's accompanied by safety personnel in a boat and a kayak, whose paddler is using a 'Shark Shield' device to create a low-intensity electric field in the water to deter sharks without harming them.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Lewis Pugh to swim around Martha's Vineyard ahead of ‘Jaws' 50th anniversary
By LEAH WILLINGHAM Associated Press VINEYARD HAVEN, Mass. (AP) — Lewis Pugh has followed an unspoken rule during his career as one of the world's most daring endurance swimmers: Don't talk about sharks. But he plans to break that this week on a swim around Martha's Vineyard, where " Jaws" was filmed 50 years ago. The British-South African was the first person to complete a long-distance swim in every ocean of the world — and has taken on extreme conditions everywhere from Mount Everest to the Arctic. 'On this swim, it's very different: We're just talking about sharks all the time,' joked Pugh, who will, as usual, wear no wetsuit. Related: First-ever footage of newborn white shark taken by scientists; see video here For his swim around Martha's Vineyard in 47-degree (8-degree Celsius) water he will wear just trunks, a cap and goggles. Pugh, 55, is undertaking the challenge because he wants to change public perception around the now at-risk animals — which he said were maligned by the blockbuster film as 'villains, as cold-blooded killers.' He will urge for more protection for sharks. On Thursday, beginning at the Edgartown Harbor Lighthouse, he will swim for three or four hours in the brutally cold surf, mark his progress and spend the rest of his waking hours on the Vineyard educating the public about sharks. Then, he'll get in the water and do it again — and again, for an estimated 12 days, or however long it takes him to complete the 62-mile (100-kilometer) swim. Related: A shark that often visits Cape Cod waters has a special meaning behind his name He begins the journey just after the New England Aquarium confirmed the first white shark sighting of the season, earlier this week off the coast of Nantucket. 'It's going to test me not only physically, but also mentally,' he said, while scoping out wind conditions by the starting line. 'I mean every single day I'm going to be speaking about sharks, sharks, sharks, sharks. Then, ultimately, I've got to get in the water afterwards and do the swim. I suppose you can imagine what I'll be thinking about.' A world without predators Pugh said the swim will be among the most difficult he's undertaken, which says a lot for someone who has swum near glaciers and volcanoes, and among hippos, crocodiles and polar bears. No one has ever swum around the island of Martha's Vineyard before. But Pugh, who often swims to raise awareness for environmental causes — and was this year named the United Nations Patron of the Oceans — said no swim is without risk and that drastic measures are needed to get his message across: Around 274,000 sharks are killed globally each day — a rate of 100 million every year, according to the American Association for the Advancement of Science. 'It was a film about sharks attacking humans and for 50 years, we have been attacking sharks,' he said of 'Jaws.' 'It's completely unsustainable. It's madness. We need to respect them.' He emphasizes that the swim is not something nonprofessionals should attempt. He's accompanied by safety personnel in a boat and kayak and uses a 'Shark Shield' device that deters sharks using an electric field without harming them. Pugh remembers feeling fear as a 16-year-old watching 'Jaws' for the first time. Over decades of study and research, awe and respect have replaced his fear, as he realized the role they play in maintaining Earth's increasingly fragile ecosystems. 'I'm more terrified of a world without sharks, or without predators,' he said. First confirmed 2025 sighting of white shark in Mass. waters Woman-owned New England brand sells fine jewelry for 'everyday adventures' Here are some of the best restaurants for Mother's Day brunch in Mass. Firefighters battle large blaze at Cape Cod restaurant Dead minke whale washes up on Martha's Vineyard beach The 'Jaws' effect on sharks 'Jaws' is credited for creating Hollywood's blockbuster culture when it was released in summer 1975, becoming the highest grossing film up until that time and earning three Academy Awards. It would impact how many viewed the ocean for decades to come. Both director Steven Spielberg and author Peter Benchley have expressed regret over the impact of the film on viewers' perception of sharks. Both have since contributed to conservation efforts for animals, which have seen populations depleted due to factors like overfishing and climate change. Discovery Channel and the National Geographic Channel each year release programming about sharks to educate the public about the predator. Greg Skomal, marine fisheries biologist at Martha's Vineyard Fisheries within the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, said many people tell him they still won't swim in the ocean because of the sheer terror caused by the film. 'I tend to hear the expression that, 'I haven't gone in the water since 'Jaws' came out,'' he said. But Skomal, who published a book challenging the film's inaccuracies, said 'Jaws' also inspired many people — including him — to study marine biology, leading to increased research, acceptance and respect for the creatures. If 'Jaws' were made today, he doesn't think it'd have the same effect. But in the 1970s, 'it was just perfect in terms of generating this level of fear to a public that was largely uneducated about sharks, because we were uneducated. Scientists didn't know a lot about sharks.' Skomal said the biggest threat contributing to the decline of the shark population now is commercial fishing, which exploded in the late 1970s and is today driven by high demand for fins and meat used in food dishes, as well as the use of skin to make leather and oil and cartilage for cosmetics. 'I think we've really moved away from this feeling, or the old adage that, 'The only good shark is a dead shark,'' he said. 'We're definitely morphing from fear to fascination, or perhaps a combination of both.' Read the original article on MassLive.
