Endurance swimmer to attempt 62-mile swim around Martha’s Vineyard to raise white shark protection awareness

MARTHA’S VINEYARD, Mass. (WLNE) — June marks the 50th anniversary of the movie Jaws.

We probably don’t need to tell you that the movie changed the public’s perception of sharks forever.

But ahead of the anniversary, one man is hoping to change the way we look at sharks.

British-South African swimmer, Lewis Pugh will try to become the first person to swim around the island of Martha’s Vineyard.

Pugh, a world renowned endurance swimmer, will make that 62-mile swim in 47 degree water during the start of white shark migration season.

Pugh is planning that swim for the 50th anniversary of Jaws, which is June 20.

He said he’s making the swim to show he won’t necessarily be eaten automatically.

Still, he says, he’ll be at least a little scared.

These are very, very special animals. I mean, they have survived five mass extinctions. They’re older than a dinosaur. And so now I look at sharks very, very differently. Sure, I’m in the water, I am swimming with them, and I’m on the surface, so, you know, I am frightened, but I’m not terrified.

The 55-year-old said what does terrify him is the idea of a world without sharks, even if Jaws vilified the fish as cold-blooded killers.

Pugh is calling for increased protection for sharks worldwide.