We reached out to shark advocates, researchers, and educators to get their take on this iconic series- turns out we aren't alone in calling out for change. We've compiled a few 'open letters' pointing out some megalodon-sized problems with this programming just in time for its kick off.
We encourage you to take this critical discussion and its concepts and apply them into other shows you're watching, media broadcasts, social media accounts you follow and overall into your daily life.
Growing up, I waited all year to sit on the floor in front of our TV to take notes on the most current shark research presented on Discovery's Shark Week. I had to stay up late to catch the reruns since my family was far from 'animal people' let alone shark fans- but it was cool because school was out and sharks ruled the midnight hour. I watched in awe, dreaming of being one of those shark people who got to experience exotic places and dive with these animals while teaching the world!
Over the years, however, the dark sides of the annual series I'd previously hoped would bring to light threats sharks were facing became unavoidable. It became clear that the overall goal of these programs were more for ratings and profits over any real educational value or conservation effort. When we step away from the TV, we see all the exclusive products made, marketed and sold for millions of dollars off this iconic week, yet little to nothing goes back to actual conservation. In 2018, Discovery made $36 Million dollars in ad revenue alone, which increases with each passing year. (read article)
While some shows may offer text-to-donate links at the bottom of the screen for organizations actually fighting for sharks like OCEANA, it seems those opportunities to impact positive change for sharks are more of a lackluster smokescreen rather than genuine concern for sharks' future.
As wonderful as the thought of programming dedicated to the awe-inspiring shark is, we must examine why 'shark experts' and companies widely regarded for educational value continue to gaslight one of the most rapidly declining animals on the planet. Regardless if Shark Week started as a gimmick or not, it's clear a new generation of Shark Week is needed.
A series that reflects current scientific data and updated research, fair representation for minorities and women in STEM, one that is actively sharing conservation steps and that is willing to show people why these fish are declining so rapidly due to the fin trade or overfishing (to name a few).
Growing up far from the sea shouldn't mean you don't have an understanding or concern for all the ocean means to this planet as a vital life-source. We rely on these types of programs [wildlife documentaries] to teach concepts and perspectives that may not be available to the viewer.
Cari Johnson
Founder, Sphyrnas
Truth be told, it's time for a new breed of programming in general that won't skim over issues that are peoples' right to know. People should know how toxic shark meat is, how fisheries are run and what risks they pose to communities as well as wildlife populations surrounding them. People should understand that local stores could be selling shark as meat, beauty care products or even pet products under different names to make the sale, or how entire countries are getting away with mass destruction of critical marine areas via loopholes in corrupt policy. We need programming that gives clear information on how to help and where to go to learn more across the board.
When I think of Shark Week, I get super excited and tell myself it is the most wonderful time of the year! Except when I stop and think about what Shark Week really means, I stop smiling and get sad. I am a shark conservationist; sharks are my life. Being completely honest, there is nothing I hate more than seeing a popular programming being played throughout North America focusing on the fear behind these creatures and none of the facts. I remember seeing the statistics and odds of being eaten or killed by a shark but that is it, nothing more. Shockingly, there has never been a mention of things people can do to save sharks, and its quite frustrating having to take on an issue as huge as saving sharks from extinction when the whole world is against you. Having such a powerful voice and the capability of doing a great amount of good in the world and this week-long special is using it to continue to fuel peoples fear and misunderstanding of these predators.
The thing that makes me the angriest is seeing a dozen of amazing shark conservationist speaking and being part of Shark Week when the core value of this show has nothing to do with conservation. I do not judge anyone at all, but I think the producers of Shark Week really need to incorporate more education and awareness when it comes to protecting shark species. It never mentions what people can do to get involved, it seems to be all about the commercial aspect of the show and seeing blood, which adds more negativity to the bad reputation sharks have globally. It is sad to say 25% of open-water sharks are facing extinction, and what is Shark Week doing to save shark from extinction, nothing, well at least nothing we have seen on the past specials.
It is fun to watch shipwrecks and notice how people stranded in the water survived and did not get eaten but I think it would be important to add at least one or two episodes on protecting and preserving shark’s species. Most people do not know 150 million sharks are being slaughtered each year and scientists can only account for 75 million of them.
I wish we could see information on sharks in cosmetics or the shark fin trade, there needs to be more education about those industries and how it affects sharks, the ocean and the viewers health by ingesting and using these products. Shark Week has been getting better each year, they have improved some aspects of the show but there is a lot of work that needs to be done if we are to call what they do conservation. The longer we wait to do something about it, the closer sharks are swimming towards extinction. I think it is time for a new kind of Shark Week, focusing solely on conservation and leaving all the rest behind. That would be one Shark Week I would watch and be proud to support!
Shark Conservationist
The Two Faces of Shark Week
I love that Discovery have a whole week dedicated to one of the most important species in the ocean. No other animal gets this kind of exposure on TV. I love sharks. I crave them. Being in the presence of any large, wild fauna is incredible - I’d take a shark dive over a land safari any day! 2020 has been the biggest diving drought since I was married. So Shark Week will be a treat and feast for my ocean deprived eyes. But…
While Shark Week features talented ocean experts, videographers, presenters and biologists - it’s also very very frustrating. In the past I’ve watched in awe and envy while divers wrangle and investigate my sharky buddies. Throwing out new discoveries and facts. Cutting the most amazing shark shots to create powerful images and moments you can only dream of experiencing. But…
I love you, I love you not, I love you, I love you not, I…
Can we talk about the music? I mean, do we really need to keep harking back to the tired old days of Jaws? Music plays a crucial role in storytelling. If you don’t believe me, try watching Max Schreck in the original (and best imo) vampire movie, Nosferatu, with the Simpsons soundtrack playing instead of the original music. Dread and fear of the dark prince disappears and it becomes a joke. Try it, it’s hilarious. Music sets the tone for what you see, it’s an emotional cue for the visual narrative.
Also, why is a hunting shark scary? Sharks are living creatures that need to eat, right? They also play a pretty key role in the ocean so, if they’re chasing down prey it’s going to be; the weak tuna, the sick fish, the seal that’s not the fittest to survive. The individual that succumbs is taken out of the gene pool thereby ensuring the continuation of its species. Isn’t it time to drop the “Jaws” drama and say it how it is?
Which brings me to the narrator. Maybe it’s time to cull the deep, throaty guy with the unnecessary long pauses? For us Brits, Sir David Attenborough’s gentle voice of reason has educated generations with calm and sincerity, there must be a US equivalent? Historically, scripts for the show are written with an awful lot of exaggeration, gas lighting and omitted truths. Sometimes I wonder if the wrong script is being read because the voice over and the images don’t match up. Shark Week needs to move forward. In the time it takes to watch a single episode an estimated 11,000 sharks will be killed and most likely end up in soup. Discovery have a real opportunity and responsibility to include global events - ocean ecology, overfishing, illegal fishing, finning and the myriad other injustices we’re inflicting on our planet - would be a huge and vital step toward balancing our troubled waters.
I’ve dived with sharks many, many times, I’m kinda short, skinny, I wear mascara, lipstick and can rock killer heels… My point? You can be the girliest of girls and swim with tiger sharks, bulls and hammers. Celebrity cameos are great for ratings, but you don’t have to be built like Mike Tyson or any of the other muscle bound, ripped, chiseled celebrities used on the show. Where are the women?
America has awesome female role models, why are they not included? According to the American Elasmobranch Society nearly half of shark researchers are women. Where ‘dem girls at, Shark Week?
Shark Week has ignited the imagination of millions of people over many years. This jawsome show has inspired students interested in marine science to push our knowledge on sharks and other marine life further. For most people the show is the only source for shark information, it’s literally shark school. I’ve already seen misinformation on shark behaviour in a couple of trailers. Filling the screen with Jaws stereotypes and feeding irrational phobias contributes to the rationale of destructive humans who think it’s ok to kill or cull sharks. It falsely gives credence to the lie of ego driven blood sports justified by weak individuals who claim to be saving human lives by killing sharks. The heartbreaking reality is that rather than saving lives these people are actually hastening our demise.
“With great power, comes great responsibility.”
Stan Lee
Sharks have more to fear from humans. Millions of people tune into Shark Week, if viewers knew how crucial sharks were to the health of the ocean, my work as a shark conservationist would be so much simpler - maybe even void. So please, Discovery, put me out of a job, make me redundant! Show us the dark side of bycatch and finning.
Show how sharks balance our delicate and intricate marine systems. Show them what a world without this vital species would look like… THEN, cue the scary music.
Diver, Sharkfluencer and Founder, MotherOceanBlue
I think that if you give people shark content that isn’t set on demonizing sharks, they’ll still be enthralled. Sharks are part of the “unknown” and “mysterious,” with or without the fear mongering aspect. There can still be that thrill factor without making sharks out to be monsters. Having a healthy respect and caution of sharks is needed and should be encouraged on reality television, but the constant demonizing, even false statements such as “man-eater,” is detrimental to the shark’s image. We need to be educating and inspiring people to save sharks, now more than ever.
Marine biologist and Founder, Project Kolika
Shark Week: Advocacy or Hindrance?
There’s one week of the year almost every ocean enthusiast always looks forward to, Shark Week.
Though it seems in recent years, the reality and education surrounding the world of sharks has become less of a focus on this annual TV series. Adrenaline filled storylines and action packed cinematography have since sold the show, year after year.
There is no arguing that segments such as “Air Jaws” are mind-blowing and awe-inspiring. However, the hype surrounding such segments as well as interviews with shark encounter victims aren’t truly contributing to shark conservation. In fact, throughout the week-long spectacle not near as much attention is given to shark science and how to help protect these majestic creatures from extinction.
I think it’s great that there have been guest celebrities on the show diving with sharks and seeing their true, non-man-eating nature. It’s through interactions such as this that a person’s perspective can truly be altered for the better, and in today’s world celebrities have a lot of influence on the public. Although, the scenes with celebrities underwater often include moments of shock, loud chatter, and exclamations of sharks doing something their simply not actually doing.
Oftentimes there are people shouting “That was a close one! Oh wow, this shark is really going wild! Oh man, that was so scary!”
Yet, while watching the screen there really isn’t much action happening. All that is seen is sharks cruising along a sandy white bottom or gliding through the blue abyss, and perhaps a played out camera lens bump or two.
Also, they fail to mention that in the wild such close-up shark encounters are not likely. The majority of the footage shown during Shark Week is recorded during or right after baiting sharks. This gives the effect that these scenes are full of intense and “natural” moments when they’re actually provoked instances.
Shark Week was once a show that could be looked to as informative and educational. Now, it seems to just be another exaggerated, half-truth show amped up to gain viewers. Wouldn’t it be fantastic to have a segment about creating more Hope Spots or MPA’s where there’s high frequencies of mass migrations/breeding of sharks? Or even an episode just covering the reality of shark decimation, and ways we can help fight it? What about an hour brimming with science-based information of how shark meat and shark fin soup are highly toxic to humans? Is there a reason that television now-a-days is less interested in showing the truth?
Shark diver, shark researcher and conservationist
Why Shark Week “Bites”
Since “Jaws” was released, the phenomenon that is the shark has continued to awe and amaze us, but not always in a good way. For as long as I can remember, sharks were always painted out to be monsters of the deep. They were jagged-toothed horrors that would haunt your dreams and inspire terror and strike fear into our hearts. To this day my dad still has a genuine fear of the ocean due to watching Jaws in theaters when it came out. Since “Jaws” was released, the decline of shark species around the world has rapidly approached critical levels. And in this case, correlation DOES equal causation. Thanks, Jaws. And thanks, Shark Week.
A part of me will always feel this whimsy at the notion of Shark Week. There will always be a part of me that is excited. But I am a shark keeper, and a scientist first and foremost. And the way that sharks are portrayed on this Discovery program does nothing to help the predicament that sharks are in. In fact, it might even make it worse.
You would think that Shark Week would be a week’s worth of shark research and conservation efforts. But as every year goes by, it gets progressively less-science based and more profit-based. The thrill and adrenaline of action captivates viewers as it’s brand marketing rakes in millions of dollars. And what part of that money actually goes back to science and conservation? And while there is the occasional educational component, Shark Week has turned into not much more than a profiteering reality TV show designed to get you hooked. And they do this through programming titles, music choice, and dramatic narration, among other things. And at the same time, it plants the idea in your mind that sharks are inherently monstrous creatures out to get you.
I haven’t met a single shark scientist that hasn’t groaned at Shark Week in some way. As biologists, researchers, marine educators, and conservationists, Shark Week undoes everything we work so hard to achieve. The shark science community fights an endless uphill climb built out of fear and misunderstanding and the culmination of our efforts every year is destroyed as images of sharks flood televisions world-wide, portraying them in a bloody, villainous manner. And it isn’t fair.
Shark Week should be a cause for celebration. Shark Week should act like any other time of the year when we single out a person or group of people in order to celebrate and remember. Shark Week should be like Pride Month where we dedicate a time of year to spotlight LGBTQ+ people so that they can be seen and heard, and we can learn and grow. Shark Week should be akin to that. We have a time of year dedicated to sharks. Where we spotlight them so that we can see and hear the struggles that these animals are facing on a global scale, and we can learn and grow as scientists.
You might say to yourself that that’s what Shark Week already does, and I say no, it really doesn’t.
Marine Biologist, Shark Aquarist at NY Aquarium
Related Reading:
'The Dark Side of Being a Female Shark Researcher'
Being a scientist should not require developing the grit to continually endure misogyny, discrimination, harassment, assault or bullying
Read Dr. Catherine Macdonald's recent article featured in Scientific American, HERE
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