Swimmer becomes first to circumnavigate Martha's Vineyard ahead of 'Jaws' 50th anniversary

Swimmer becomes first to circumnavigate Martha’s Vineyard ahead of ‘Jaws’ 50th anniversary Nation May 27, 2025 6:44 PM EDT

VINEYARD HAVEN, Mass. (AP) — A British-South African endurance athlete became the first person to swim around the island of Martha’s Vineyard on Monday, completing a 60-mile (97-kilometer) trek over multiple days to raise awareness about the plight of sharks as the film “Jaws” nears its 50th birthday.

Lewis Pugh, 55, began swimming multiple hours a day in the 47-degree (8 degrees Celsius) water on May 15. He wants to change public perceptions and encourage protections for the at-risk animals — which he said the film maligned as “villains, as cold-blooded killers.”

“We’ve been fighting sharks for 50 years,” he said after completing the last 1.2 miles (2 kilometers)