Multimodal Presentation

Smile, Sharks! You're on Camera

MEDIA VS MARINE

By Natalie Ngo

Introduction

Why Should We Care about Sharks?

Historical Perspective on Sharks

Since the inception of marine exploration, sharks have been an obscure fascination to mankind. The power struggle between man and shark, both apex predators of their respective ecosystems, has been the root of all perceptions of these mysterious creatures. From ancient Mediterranean tales of the megalodon to Greek and Roman paintings of hammerhead sharks to modern America’s screening of “Jaws,” sharks have been viewed as enemies of our natural world.

2. Background

Species Statistics and Breakdown

"400+ different shark species; most found in coastal regions"

Convention of Migratory Species (CMS)

"In total, 167/220 species of shark are threatened with extinction"

"Over 36 news articles in the past 10 years from the New York Times have mentioned the word shark attack in the title – different author each time "

Save our Seas Foundation

Christopher L., Pepin-Neff, Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)

"Negatively framed messaging has driven one of the most watched, most lucrative, and longest running cable television programming events in history (i.e., Discovery’s Shark Week; [...] with related content on social media (e.g., Facebook and Instagram) engaging 48 million users in 2018"

“Shark sighting is the third most common phrase to be used in the NYT in 2021"

Christopher L., Pepin-Neff, Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)

"40% of shark incidents have no injury"

Christopher L., Pepin-Neff, Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)

Casola, William R., Frontiers in Communication, vol. 7, 21 Oct. 2022,

Why is the media so negative towards sharks?

The stigma of these creatures being inherently violent was used as a tactic to establish the dominance of mankind; this power struggle is the reason why ancient cultures depicted sharks as "immoral" and "unintelligent sea dogs." These various forms of art and oral stories still exist within today's media representation of sharks.

MAP

coexistence of humans and sharks specifcally in the Meditteranean region

Portrayals of Sharks in Ancient Meditteranean Societies

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Transition from Greek Mythology to Modern Film

To what extent do ancient taboos reflect our perception of sharks now? What are the different types of media that showcase sharks negatively?

Film: Jaws

The 1975 blockbuster film, Jaws, campaigned sharks as "mindless eating machines." Audiences worldwide began to adapt this perception when they watched the movei in theatres.

Film: The Meg

Nearly 50 years later, the 2018 film, The Meg, still characterizes sharks as terrorizing predators and threats to humans.

Television

"Now in its 35th year, Discovery Channel's annual 'Shark Week' 2023” turned in stunning viewership numbers in its debut last month: with 5.3 million viewers tuning in to Discovery Channel and streaming on Discovery+ and Max, 'Shark Week' earned its highest-rated debut in three years."

-Cox Media

Impacts of Negative Media

How are sharks being exploited? To what extent does Media play a role into their endangerment?

China's Booming Economy: Shark Fin Soup

"Sharks are captured in directed fisheries and also as bycatch in other non-directed fisheries. Many shark species have been over-exploited because their fins are highly valued for shark fin soup."

U.S. Department of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

The Fin Crisis

It is estimated that over 70 million sharks are killed a year for shark fin soup. This crisis has become incredibly alarming, as shark fins account for approximately 95% of the global fin trade. One of the main concerns with shark fin soup - besides the fact that it is banned in many provinces because of the state of endangerment of sharks - is that fishermen are not resourceful. Only about 2% of a shark's body is used when it is exploited for shark fin soup and the rest of it is ill-properly discarded. Recently, there are major efforts being made to combat this issue.

Fight for the Future

Knowing the severity of the endangerment of sharks, national organizations and governments are making global efforts to protect shark populations, habitats, and general marine life.

Conservation Efforts

Shark Conservation Act of 2010

Shark Fin Act of 2023

Endangered Species Act of 1973

Marine Life Protection Act of 1999

Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf of 2012

THANK YOU!