New Zealand's Great Whites: From Fear of Jaws to Protecting Them
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Whether it’s a terrifying photo of a great white shark looming off the coast of New Zealand or a kayaker swerving to escape it, you’ve probably seen it somewhere online. Such things do not happen by chance. Although many people in Aotearoa, the Land of the Long White Cloud, see great whites often, they never cease to amaze. These powerful animals may easily be in a classic movie, yet they are much more than a movie scene in New Zealand’s waters. It is a sharp reminder of the real-world work that has to be done to safeguard a species that is important to the ocean but not generally recognized.
The Real-Life Amity Island
Like California and South Africa, Aotearoa is an excellent place to see great white sharks. New Zealand’s Wildlife Act 1953 protects sharks in its territorial seas. Anyone who hurts them may face serious penalties. The government has even established a National Plan of Action for Sharks to make sure that its shark populations will be able to survive in the long run. The fact that they are there shows that the marine ecology is robust, and their seasonal migrations show how important New Zealand is to their worldwide habitat.
Beyond the Blockbuster
For a lot of people, seeing a shark makes them think of the famous Jaws music and the idea of a mindless devouring machine. But as author Peter Benchley subsequently claimed, the movie scared people for a long time, which isn’t true. Scientists and workers at New Zealand’s Department of Conservation (DOC) are trying to put an end to this fallacy. People put satellite tags on sharks to keep an eye on them. This lets them see where the sharks go and what they do. The goal is not to make them seem bad but to keep them safe since they are a crucial element of the food chain as an apex predator.
Conservation vs. Commodification
The movie Jaws started a cultural trend, but its impact is dual. It motivated a new group of marine scientists and environmentalists, on the other hand. It created a dread greater, nevertheless, which has been utilized in numerous ways. People use this type of exploitation in a number of different ways, including manufacturing shark-themed toys and movies that make sharks appear scarier than they actually are.
The powerful images of great white sharks are used in many other types of businesses, not just movies and commerce, but also in enjoyment and entertainment. For example, the online casino industry in NZ—like many global industries—uses the shark’s strong and recognisable image in product design, reflecting its place in popular culture rather than in conservation. This broad use of the animal’s likeness in culture exists alongside the work of real conservation groups like the New Zealand Shark Alliance, who underline how essential sharks are to marine ecosystems.
The Shark’s True Legacy
It’s not terror that Jaws leaves behind in the real world; it’s education. Peter Benchley devoted his last years to the cause of sharks, arguing that these creatures were "much more the oppressed than the oppressors." The true dangers to sharks, according to his research, are overfishing, bycatch, and a general lack of knowledge. This tradition is still alive and well in New Zealand. Every time we see a great white shark, tag one, or write a study article, we learn more about them. This makes it possible for these creatures to live with us in the future.
How You Can Help
It’s clear that we all have a part to play in making sure these amazing animals live on. If you like being in the sea, you may assist out by diving or fishing. The Department of Conservation wants people to report spotting great white sharks because every piece of information is significant. The greatest approach to leave the great white shark to future generations is to remember it as an animal that deserves respect, awe, and preservation. You may help by providing money to charities that protect the ocean and sharing correct, scientific information.