Myth Busting Jaws: 50 Years Later

(SOUTH YARMOUTH) – Thirwood Place in South Yarmouth and the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy invite the public to learn the latest about Great White Shark research in Cape Cod waters – and have some myths debunked as well – a half century after the release of the movie “Jaws.” Cape Cod has become the hot spot for white shark activity in recent years, garnering local, national, and international attention. But what’s the real story behind the apex predator’s desire to frequent our part of the world? Kristen Smith from the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy will answer all your questions about white shark activity in an exciting interactive presentation on May 9, 2025, at 2 p.m. in the Thirwood Place Auditorium. Admission is free but space is limited. You can register by calling 508-760-6531 or sign up online at https://thirwoodplace.com/event-registration-shark-conservancy/. Smith will also do some “myth busting” when it comes to the iconic movie “Jaws,” which was released in theaters 50 years ago on June 20th, 1975. Filmed mostly on Martha’s Vineyard and set in the fictional town of Amity, the movie was a monster hit (pun intended!). It was so realistic that many beachgoers refused to go into the ocean that year after seeing the movie. “Jaws” also had some iconic scenes – none bigger than when Chief Martin Brody uttered the phrase, “You’re gonna need a bigger boat.” Great White Shark activity in Cape Cod waters has exploded since 2009 – helping to create an entire industry of shark research and tourism in the region. Formed in 2012, the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy and the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, have been collecting acoustic detection data for tagged white sharks off the coast of Massachusetts and catalogued over 600 tagged and untagged individual Northwest Atlantic white sharks, according to their website, www.atlanticwhiteshark.org. Come to Thirwood Place on May 9, 2025, at 2 p.m. and hear the latest about what’s been learned from the research in recent years – what’s upcoming for 2025 – and what myths can be “busted” from the movie “Jaws.” #