Why the 50th Anniversary of Jaws Still Matters for Shark Science

The movie Jaws terrified audiences and demonized great white sharks, but it also inspired a generation of shark researchers and boosted funding for marine science. In this special anniversary episode of Beyond Jaws, co-hosts Andrew Lewin and Dr. David Ebert revisit the legacy of Jaws 50 years later. They speak with leading shark researchers—Lisa Natanson, Greg Skomal, and Chris Lowe, about how the film influenced their careers and the public’s relationship with sharks.

Shark science owes more to Jaws than you might think. This episode dives into the personal stories of scientists from the original “Jaws Generation,” exploring how a horror film launched scientific careers, sparked public interest, and led to groundbreaking research on great whites. Whether you love or loathe the movie, its influence on conservation and marine biology is undeniable.

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Dave:
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Andrew:
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Shark Conservation drives today’s conversation with Guido Leurs, a marine scientist whose research spans multiple shark species and explores how we connect with them through images and media. Guido shares his unique career path, from his early fascination to postdoctoral work, and how visual storytelling has played a critical role in understanding and protecting these misunderstood predators.

Marine Science Communication is at the heart of Guido’s journey. This episode covers the evolution of his work, from science diving and species identification to the broader social and ecological impacts of shark conservation. You’ll also hear personal insights into the challenges of navigating academic paths, building a meaningful research career, and inspiring people to care about sharks through compelling imagery and communication.

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Website: https://bit.ly/37TMqeK
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Dave:
Website: https://www.lostsharkguy.com/
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Andrew:
Website: https://www.speakupforblue.com/
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Technical diving opens up a whole new world for shark researchers like Dr. Yannis Papastamatiou, who has built a career studying predator dynamics in some of the most remote and challenging underwater environments. In this episode, Yannis shares his global journey through the UK, Greece, California, Hawaii, and now Florida — explaining how each location shaped his shark research and conservation strategies.

Shark science isn’t just about getting close to these apex predators — it’s also about the sophisticated diving techniques and equipment needed to study their behavior where most humans can’t go. We dig deep into the importance of technical diving for accessing shark habitats, why it matters for predator-prey studies, and how science divers train for this demanding work. Whether you’re into marine biology, scuba diving, or just love sharks, this episode will fascinate you.

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Website: https://bit.ly/37TMqeK
Instagram: https://bit.ly/3eorwXZ
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beyondjawspodcast7591

Dave:
Website: https://www.lostsharkguy.com/
Instagram: https://bit.ly/3q1J9Q5

Andrew:
Website: https://www.speakupforblue.com/
Instagram: https://bit.ly/37g5WkG

🐟 Shark conservation just got a powerful ally: Genetics! In this episode of Beyond Jws, we talk to Dr. Diego Cardenosa, a leading marine biologist using DNA analysis to detect illegal shark fin trade. Learn how cutting-edge science is protecting endangered sharks and what YOU can do to help! 🌊🦈

🔹 Topics Covered:

✔️ How genetics identifies illegally traded shark fins

✔️ The impact of the shark fin trade on marine ecosystems

✔️ Conservation efforts and policy changes

✔️ How YOU can support shark conservation

Connect with us:

Website: https://bit.ly/37TMqeK
Instagram: https://bit.ly/3eorwXZ
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beyondjawspodcast7591

Dave:
Website: https://www.lostsharkguy.com/
Instagram: https://bit.ly/3q1J9Q5

Andrew:
Website: https://www.speakupforblue.com/
Instagram: https://bit.ly/37g5WkG