Lewis Pugh Swims 62 Miles Around Martha's Vineyard to Raise Shark Conservation Awareness

Endurance swimmer Lewis Pugh is undertaking a challenging 62-mile swim around Martha's Vineyard to mark the 50th anniversary of the film "Jaws," aiming to shift public perception of sharks from villains to vital apex predators. The swim, expected to take about 12 days in cold 47-degree waters, highlights the urgent need to protect sharks, which face threats from overfishing, climate change, and pollution. Pugh will swim without a wetsuit, accompanied by a support team using an electronic shark deterrent for safety. He emphasizes that the fear instilled by the 1975 film has contributed to unsustainable shark killings—an estimated 274,000 sharks die globally each day—posing risks to ocean health and ecosystems. Experts note that commercial fishing, driven by demand for shark fins, meat, and other products, is the biggest factor in shark population decline. Overall, Pugh's swim is a call to respect and protect sharks to ensure the future health of the oceans.