Have We Finally Moved Beyond the "Jaws Effect?"

The iconic movie Jaws has scared audiences for over 50 years since its release, and the negative image it cast on sharks may finally be fading. Recent studies on public attitudes toward sharks show that the fear linked to the creatures is starting to subside. Despite sharks being associated with terms like "blood" and "death," shark attacks on humans are incredibly rare. A new study, however, reveals more nuanced and evolving perspectives on these marine animals.

In a recent online survey conducted by the University of South Australia, 371 participants from Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom were asked to describe sharks in just three words. Published in the journal Wildlife Research, the results show a shift toward neutrality in perceptions. Over two-thirds of the respondents used neutral terms to describe sharks, with the most common words being "teeth," "ocean," and "predator."

The study team analyzed over 1,000 words submitted by the participants, categorizing them into positive, neutral, or negative groups. The findings revealed that 67.5 percent of the words were neutral, including terms like "teeth," "ocean," and "surfing." Only 17.5 percent were considered positive, such as "majestic" and "cute," while 15.3 percent were negative, including "blood" and "killer."

To further understand the emotional tone behind these words, the researchers used sentiment analysis, discovering that around 30 percent of the words expressed fear, while 17 percent conveyed joy. Brianna Le Busque, an environmental scientist at the University of South Australia and co-author of the study, noted that these findings show public attitudes toward sharks are more complex than the typical portrayal of sharks as "menacing predators" often seen in the media.

However, the study does have limitations. The sample size was small, with most participants being women in their twenties. Furthermore, the study used brief text responses, which provide a quicker and more cost-effective alternative to in-depth interviews traditionally used to understand public opinions on wildlife and conservation.

Understanding people's views on sharks remains critical, especially as it influences conservation policies. Without public support, conservation efforts may falter or even backfire. This is particularly important for sharks, as more than 37 percent of shark and ray species are currently threatened with extinction due to overfishing. Recently, over 100 governments voted in favor of protecting endangered shark and ray species, signaling a growing shift in attitudes toward these often-misunderstood creatures.

Author: Maya Henderson