The fascination with killer sharks sparked by the release of Jaws in 1975 has had detrimental effects on shark populations. The novel and film perpetuated the myth of a “rogue shark” that preys on humans, leading to fear and increased killing of great whites. Both the author, Peter Benchley, and the director, Steven Spielberg, regret the negative impact of the film and the perpetuation of shark stereotypes. Despite this, the public’s fascination with sharks, particularly the great white, remains strong. The documentary After the Bite explores the reasons behind shark attacks without portraying them as man-eaters. Sharksploitation, another documentary, asks why sharks are such effective movie stars. The fear of sharks caused by Jaws has led to glorified killings of great whites, but both Benchley and real-life shark hunter Frank Mundus regretted the escalated fear and decline in shark populations. Mundus, who was believed to be the inspiration for Quint in Jaws, was blamed for the decline in shark populations but later became a shark conservationist. Both Benchley and Mundus recognized the need to protect sharks and worked towards their conservation.
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