For this assignment I chose to look into the symbolic interactionism of Sharks. Sharks have been a symbol of strength for a large part of history but people’s views on sharks changed after the movie Jaws came out. This movie led to a large decline in the shark population because it caused so much fear revolving around shark attacks. Throughout my research I found that sharks are seen as a symbol of strength, protection and resilience. Sharks are considered the apex predator of the ocean which fits with their biological purposes as well. Throughout the portrayals of sharks in the media, specifically movies showing the dangers of sharks has increased fear around sharks, which in turn has been a large reason why the shark population has drastically declined in the last 40 years. Sharks are a necessary part of the health of ocean ecosystems and this recent decline in their population could be detrimental to the health of oceans all over the world. The decline of sharks is not solely due to their portrayal in the media but the way they are portrayed in media is not benefiting them.

 

     The famous movie “Jaws” produced by Steven Spielberg changed the public perception of sharks from being largely misunderstood creatures to symbols of fear and danger. Spielberg himself expressed regret over the film's role in contributing to the decline of great white shark populations, acknowledging that the film created fear that increased sport fishing that led to significant declines in shark populations specifically along the East Coast of the United States. This cultural shift from fear to fascination has been further complicated by the ongoing concerns of overfishing, which many experts argue is the primary cause of declining shark numbers. There is a large debate on the main cause of the decreasing shark population within the scientific field. 

 

     Sharks play critical roles as apex predators, maintaining the balance within marine ecosystems. Their decline due to human activities, including the overfishing due to cultural perceptions shaped by the media, disrupts these ecological roles. Conservationists, including Jaws author Peter Benchley, have shifted their views, advocating for the protection of sharks to preserve marine health. The misconceptions as a result of Jaws, that sharks are mindless killers, are contradicted by scientific understanding of their behavior. Sharks generally do not target humans, and most interactions are accidental. Oftentimes shark attacks are due to the shark mistaking a human as one of their natural food sources. Specifically humans resting on surf boards are mistaken as seals by sharks and in turn result in shark attacks. Most often sharks realize their mistakes after their first bite and leave the person alone after. Sharks are not purposefully attacking humans just to cause pain, it is almost always due to mistaking people as prey. 

 

     The symbolism of sharks changes depending on the lens that you are looking through. Within current media sharks are still often seen as fearsome predators that are out to hurt humans, this is partly due to the Jaws movie but has been a result of many different media depictions. Oftentimes people become even more fearful around sharks after a shark attack occurs even if it was an accident or due to human error. After attacks people are much more fearful of the ocean and think they will be attacked. On the other hand many indigenous people use sharks as a positive symbol of strength, protection and resilience. One example of this is in Hawaiian and Polynesian mythology where sharks are viewed as sacred guardians and protectors. The stark differences between how these two groups of people view sharks highlights how people who understand sharks think of them in a more positive light while people who just see them in the media see them as dangerous. This duality creates conflicting societal meanings: while some see them as threats, others revere them as powerful symbols of the ocean’s strength and balance.

 

     In recent years shark conservation has been a pretty controversial topic because many scientists understand the importance of sharks' purpose in the ocean ecosystems while people who have just seen the depictions of sharks in the media think that we don’t need sharks. Interactions with sharks in the media reinforce their image as being dangerous creatures. The media coverage surrounding shark attacks contributes to fear and misunderstanding which in turn impacts public behaviors revolving around sharks. There has been a large increase in sport fishing and shark hunting due to their depiction in the media.  In contrast, conservation efforts and educational programs aim to reshape perceptions by highlighting sharks’ ecological importance and their role as apex predators. These interactions collectively contribute to the construction of sharks' identities in society, moving between fear and admiration.

Different societal groups hold differing perceptions of sharks, which reflects the broader social dynamics in our society. Animal rights activists advocate for shark conservation by emphasizing their ecological importance. Activists who are passionate about sharks try their best to change the narrative surrounding sharks to become more positive. On the other hand, fishermen and even some media producers prioritize economics over the wellbeing of ecosystems. Media often chooses to cover stories around sharks in a dramatic way to get more people interested but this in turn damages the public's perceptions of sharks. This tension illustrates power relations, where conservationists push against commercial interests, seeking to protect an animal that is often vilified in popular culture.

 

     The negotiation of meanings associated with sharks often involves conflict and collaboration among different groups. An example of this is conservationists working with filmmakers to create documentaries that show sharks in a balanced way; they can highlight their ecological importance as well as debunk myths. This can backfire sometimes due to the commercial media’s inclination to emphasize fear to attract more views. These relationships and negotiations influence societal attitudes, sometimes fostering awareness and appreciation of sharks while other times it can reinforce fears.

 

     These complexities can hinder the improvements that conservationists are trying to make. 

Historically, sharks were viewed as largely harmless until the 20th century, when the media began to sensationalize shark attacks, particularly following "Jaws." This shift fueled a lot of fear around sharks which in turn led to drastic declines in shark populations. In the last four decades there have been gradual improvements that have stemmed from increasing awareness about the ecological importance of sharks as well as the negative impacts of their decline. The rise of conservation movements and changes in public attitudes towards different wildlife have encouraged people to re-evaluate their opinions on sharks. This shift has caused people to move from fear towards fascination and even the desire to protect sharks. 

 

     Overall, the symbolic interactionism surrounding sharks illustrates a complex interplay of fear, fascination, and ecological understanding. Slowly our society has made improvements in their understanding of these important animals even if there is still fear present. People have been able to start to feel comfortable in this line between protecting sharks while still being cautious of the dangers they can hold. The impact of media, cultural practices, and social dynamics continually shape how society perceives and interacts with these apex predators.