Peter Benchley Ocean Awards returning to mark 50th anniversary of JAWS
Steven Spielberg’s film adaptation of Peter Benchley’s novel about a shark terrorising a summer town at peak season changed movies and pop culture forever. It also put sharks ont he map in a way like never before. 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of release of the movie version of JAWS and to commemorate this event, the Peter Benchley Ocean Awards will return for a very special event at the National Aquarium in Maryland Baltimore in May next year. Peter Benchley’s wife Wendy made the announcement on Facebook.
“The Benchley Awards are back!
On this special day when the 50th Anniversary Edition of Jaws hits the shelves, I am thrilled to announce the return of the Peter Benchley Ocean Awards. This time, we are joining forces with the Aquarium Conservation Partnership (ACP), a coalition of 29 U.S. aquariums that collectively welcome over 35 million visitors annually.
Fifty years ago, Jaws changed the course of Peter’s and my life. We went on research expeditions with National Geographic and began our lifelong work on shark and ocean conservation. We had the privilege of meeting remarkable individuals who worked tirelessly to safeguard our seas. Peter and I often felt they were unsung heroes who deserved more recognition and the Peter Benchley Ocean Awards were established to honor these individuals for their important contributions and to amplify their voices.
I want to give special thanks to our superb Benchley Ocean Awards Selection Committee. They are a talented and diverse group of marine experts who will play a crucial role in selecting our honorees.
Mark your calendars! The nominations window will open on September 2nd, right after Labor Day, and will close on November 18th. So, take some time this summer to ponder and nominate inspiring candidates across all categories. Check our website for more details: www.peterbenchleyoceanawards.org
The Awards gala event is set for May 1st, 2025, at the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland. It’s going to be a night to remember!”
Co-founders of the Peter Benchley Ocean Awards Wendy Benchley and David Helvarg
While no official announcements have been made regarding a formal #JAWS50 celebration or event, seeing the Peter Benchley Ocean Awards return is a great way to celebrate conservation efforts around the world and the positive effect the JAWS phenomemon has had on sharks and oceans.
Watch
Check out our exclusive 50th anniversary interview with Wendy Benchley below.
If you would like to write for The Daily Jaws, please visit our ‘work with us’ page
For all the latest Jaws, shark and shark movie news, follow The Daily Jaws on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.