Key Takeaways

• In Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiians) mythology, a family’s aumaku protects them from their enemies and danger. When a person dies, the family can decide to transform the body into a shark, the shark will provide protection, and steer fish towards the family nets.
•  Ebisu, a shark god in Japanese mythology, is believed to be part dragon and part shark. He is worshiped as a god of good luck and prosperity. He is also the patron kami of fishermen, bringing them bounties of fish.
• Wearing a shark tooth necklace is seen as protection in Fiji, bringing them good luck, and protection. It is believed the shark tooth has the spirit of Dakuwaqa in it.

Introduction

Hawaii

Relationship With the Ocean

• In Hawaii, the ocean is an important part of the country's ecosystem, and culture. It provides food, jobs, and recreation for the country. Since ancient times, the people of Hawaii have believed the ocean to be an important part of the country's culture. Hawaiians believe in balance between the ocean and land.
•  Papahānaumokuākea, is a protected area of ocean in Hawaii, home to some of the world's most endanger species, including the blue whales, and last Hawaiian monk seals. The waters around Hawaii are home to more than forty species of sharks. The Whitetip reef, sandbar, and scalloped hammerhead are some of the most common sharks found in the nearshore waters.

Symbolism of the Shark

• In Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiians) mythology, a family’s aumaku protects them from their enemies and danger. When a person dies, the family can decide to transform the body into a shark, the shark will provide protection, and steer fish towards the family nets.
• In Hawaiian mythology, sharks symbolize loyalty, strength, courage, and nobility.

Deities

• There are several shark gods in Hawaiian mythology, believed to be guardians of the oceans.
•  Shark God Kamohoali’i, is the chief of Oahu’s shark gods, compared to Zeus in Greek mythology. It is believed to have led the Polynesian voyagers to Hawaii.
•  Ka-ahupahau, the Queen of the sharks, was born human and transformed into a shark. Stories say that she and her brother patrol the entrance to Pearl Harbor, protecting the island's inhabitants.
•  Kane’i’kokala, is believed to be the savior of shipwrecks, guiding the survivors to shore.

 

Source

 

Mythology

•  Nanaue was the son of shark king Kamohoalii and a Hawaiian maiden, named Kalei. One day Kamohoallii took his son to a stream, and Nanaue transformed into a shark-man and began to eat all the fish in the water. When they returned home, Kamohoalii and Kalei agreed to keep their son's new form a secret, promising to never feed him meat as it would cause him to need to taste human flesh.
• As he got older, Nanaue could no longer ignore his desires and began to swim in the ocean. When locals from Waipio began to go missing, the villagers discovered his secret and he fled to Hana, Maui. After killing one of Maui's own, he escaped again to the island of Molokai. The people of Molokai saw Nanaue shapeshift and captured him for good.

Importance of Sharks

• There is still more to understand about sharks in Hawaii, but it is believed that they are important to the ecosystem, eating sick and injured fish, and allowing the healthy fish to thrive.
• Shark skin is still used to make the head of pahu pai drums, and lei o mano's are made from shark teeth.

Japan

Relationship With the Ocean

• On the third Monday in July, Japan holds an annual Marine Day, also known as Sea Day. The national holiday is a day for the Japanese to thank the ocean, and remember its importance to the country. The maritime nation acknowledges its reliance on the ocean and the importance it serves. Japan is the only country in the world that has a national day dedicated to the ocean.
• The Japanese coastline is 18,480 miles in length, and nowhere in the country is more than ninety-three miles from the ocean. The ocean provides an abundance of seafood, the main staple in Japanese cuisine.

Symbolism of the Shark

• In Japan, sharks are seen as a symbol of strength and determination. They are also considered to be protectors for those that need it.

Deities

•  Ebisu, is a shark god in Japanese mythology. He is believed to be part dragon and part shark and worshiped as a god of good luck and prosperity. He is the patron kami of fishermen, bringing them bounties of fish.

Mythology

• Isonade, is a Japanese shark-like sea monster that scours the coastline looking for boats and fishermen to catch. The mythical creature has a horn on his head, three tails, and three fins. It is said he can control the waters. He was first discovered in the waters off Yamagawa, and only comes up for air every few months, creating waves and storms when he does.
• In the legend, only the barbed tail fins are ever seen, taking people from the water and beaches.

 

Source

 

Importance of Sharks

• Japan has a diverse population of sharks, with over a third of the 400 species living in Japanese waters. Despite the symbolism of sharks in Japan, the country ranks high on the list of shark-catching countries, something researchers are hoping to reduce, due to the impact this has on the ecosystem.
• Shark meat is eaten in Japanese cuisine, offering a collagen-rich ingredient in recipes.

Fiji

Relationship With the Ocean

• In Fiji, 60% of the population resides in coastal areas. The protection of the ocean is essential for the country's economy. The ocean is also responsible for 40% of Fiji’s GDP, through fishery, tourism, and harvesting of marine products.
• The country not only relies on the ocean for economic reasons. It is a deep part of its culture, and is seen as beneficial to everyone's well-being. The Fijian i-Taukei belief system is deeply connected to the ocean, where the people are responsible for the surrounding nature.

Symbolism of the Shark

• Wearing a shark tooth necklace is seen as protection in Fiji, bringing them good luck, and protection. It is believed the shark tooth has the spirit of Dakuwaqa in it.

 

Source

 

Deities

• The best-known shark-like god in Fiji mythology is Dakuwaqa The Shark God, a half shark and half man deity, who helped and protected fishermen.

Mythology

• In Fijian mythology, Dakuwaqa was the guardian of the entrance to the reef. He is believed to be able to shift into the form of the shark and would battle the other reef guardians. During one fight, against the guardian of Suva, such a struggle ensued that it caused huge waves. The waves caused valleys to be flooded for miles.
• At the entrance to Kadavu, Dakuwaqa encountered the guardian of the reef, a giant octopus. The octopus overpowered him and Dakuwaqa had to beg for mercy. The octopus made Dakuwaqa promise to never harm people from Kadavu. Dakuwaqa kept his promise and the people of Kadavu never have to fear sharks in the water. 

Importance of the Shark

• In 2016, Fiji was the first Pacific Island to propose global trade restrictions on sharks and rays to protect the species.

Research Strategy

Key Takeaways

• At the turn of the 19th century, when people generally "knew or cared little about sharks," several fatal shark attacks, including one in Beach Haven, NJ (1916) and several in Australia between 1922 and 1925 began to create a broader public fear of sharks and associated interest in protective actions and equipment. The 1916 attacks gave rise to the theory of a "rogue shark," which posits that a single shark may selectively target humans (a theory since debunked).
• In the years leading up to the "Jaws" release, a general public "wariness" about the likelihood of a shark attack would give way to a surge of concentrated attention and concern when a shark encounter occurred, largely due to media coverage of specific incidents.
• "Jaws," a 1975 film featuring a great white shark terrorizing and killing beachgoers, offered a depiction of the shark as a "vengeful predator that could remember specific human beings and go after them to settle a grudge." Biologist Greg Skomol notes the film offered an inaccurate portrayal of the shark, both in behavior (suggesting that humans are prey) and size (depicting a 25-foot shark, unrealistically larger than a typical 15-18 foot shark).
• The impact of "Jaws" on consumer perceptions of sharks has been significant and long-lasting. In 2015, Dr. Christopher Neff of the University of Sydney proposed the "Jaws effect," a theory suggesting the movie drove the public to believe "sharks intentionally bite humans", that all shark encounters are fatal, and that killing sharks is an effective means of preventing future attacks. Since the release of Jaws, the shark population has decreased by over 70%.

Introduction

How Sharks Were Perceived Before "Jaws"

• Through the early 20th century, sharks were mostly perceived as harmless.
• Historian Beryl Francis notes the average swimmer in the early 19th century "knew or cared little about sharks." Stories and superstitions associated with sea creatures (including sharks) were mostly considered "lore and legend."
• At this time, many believed a shark had never bitten a swimmer, which likely contributed to the lack of concern. George Burgess, director of the Florida Program for Shark Research in Gainesville, says the concept of a shark attack was considered so incredible at the time that a New York multi-millionaire, Hermann Oelrichs, offered a reward in exchange for proof of a shark bite. 
• Several fatal shark attacks, including one in Beach Haven, NJ (1916) and several in Australia between 1922 and 1925 began to create a broader public fear of sharks and associated interest in protective actions and equipment, such as look-out towers and harpoons on boats. The 1916 attacks gave rise to the theory of a "rogue shark," which posits that a single shark may selectively target humans (a theory since debunked).
• Until mid-century, there was limited focus on scientific research associated with sharks. According to the historian, Jennifer Martin, sharks were not considered commercially valuable which resulted in "limited support or funding for research."
• The focus on research began to intensify somewhat at the outset of World War II, when the US military initiated a covert program to develop a shark repellent ("Shark Chaser"). The chemical was dispensed to servicemen who were experiencing a growing fear of such attacks (based largely on stories of shark attacks) in an effort to assuage their fears and minimize the chance of an attack during water operations. The repellant was used for nearly 30 years before being shown to be ineffective.
• In the years leading up to the release of "Jaws," a general public "wariness" about the likelihood of a shark attack would give way to a surge of attention, largely due to media coverage of specific incidents.

How Sharks Were Portrayed in "Jaws"

• "Jaws," a 1975 blockbuster film, features a great white shark biting and killing residents and tourists in Amity, a coastal (fictional) seaside town in Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

 

Source

 

• Historian Burgess notes the film portrays the shark as a "vengeful predator that could remember specific human beings and go after them to settle a grudge." Biologist Greg Skomol notes the film offered an inaccurate portrayal of the shark, both in behavior (suggesting that humans are prey) and size (depicting a 25-foot shark, unrealistically larger than a typically-large 15-18 foot shark).
• The depiction of the shark as "out for blood, merciless, and a threat to humans" has continued to influence public perception due to the long-lasting popularity of the film.

Impact of "Jaws" on Shark Perceptions

• In 2015, Dr. Christopher Neff of the University of Sydney proposed the "Jaws effect," a theory suggesting the movie drove the public to believe "sharks intentionally bite humans", that all shark encounters are fatal, and that killing sharks is an effective means of preventing future attacks.
• Burgess suggests the population of large sharks fell by 50% on the Eastern Seaboard in the years following the film's release, due to fishermen looking to prove "bravery" by capturing and killing sharks and sponsored fishing tournaments encouraging shark fishing for rewards. He further notes that among these shark fishermen, there was "no remorse, since there was this mindset that they were man-killers." Since the release of Jaws, shark populations have declined by over 70%.
• A current study is suggesting a "generation of people" have developed galeophobia, an "irrational fear of sharks", as a result of "Jaws." Psychologist Gabriela Hancock, who is leading the study, says that media reinforces these perceptions by exaggerating the danger presented by sharks.
• Jaws also inspired some positive developments, including boosting shark research interest and funding. Many of these studies seek to provide perspectives on how to coexist with sharks. Biologist Skomal notes how the learning around white sharks, in particular, has evolved since the movie: "When Jaws came out, relatively little was known about the white shark. We know a lot more now about white shark ecology, distribution, and natural history.

Social and Cultural Consequences of "Jaws"

• As the first movie to gross $100 million, "Jaws" is considered to have given rise to the "summer blockbuster," inspiring other film launches (e.g., Star Wars, Indiana Jones) to high-profile openings in many theaters.
• A lot of media articles report that following the release of "Jaws," beach attendance was down in the summer of 1975 across the US and people were seeing sharks everywhere, even in waters where it was impossible to find them, due to further consequences of the "Jaws effect." Selected sources even say that the movie still negatively affects people who decide to go swim in the ocean.
• Skomal noted that even though "Jaws" inspired a group of biologists to pursue their careers, they were "certainly outnumbered by the number of people who never got into the water again."
• An article published in Today notes that "Jaws" inspired the fear of swimming in the ocean, a very common activity, and puts it in the context of other movies that led to similar phobias, such as "The Ring" making people scared of random phone calls.

Research Strategy

Key Takeaways

• Sharks are a frequent subject of media coverage. However, they are rarely portrayed in a positive light. After analyzing 109 oceanic fiction movies to learn more about how sharks are portrayed, Le Busque, a professor at the University of South Australia discovered that 105 films (96%) represented sharks as potentially threatening to humans.
• In 2019, a National Geographic article on the psychology of fear revealed that people fear sharks for a fairly simple reason — because they are large, wild animals that can seriously hurt or kill you.
• David Ropeik, a consultant on risk perception and author, explains that the fear of sharks comes from the way in which sharks kill their prey — being eaten alive by a 15-foot-long shark appears to be a horrific way to go, and people generally dread the possibility that a shark attack could be the thing that kills them.

Introduction

Stigma Perpetuated By The Media

• Sharks are a frequent subject of media coverage. However, they are rarely portrayed in a positive light.
• When authors from Conversation Biology analyzed hundreds of instances of sharks being featured in major Australian or American newspapers, the authors discovered that the most common topic of these articles "by far, was shark biting humans." In fact, over 50% of these articles between 2000 to 2010 mentioned a shark bite, with only 11% of articles mentioning shark conservation.

 

Source

 

• According to Le Busque, a professor at the University of South Australia, people's perception of sharks is heavily influenced by the media.
• After analyzing 109 oceanic fiction movies to learn more about how sharks are portrayed, Le Busque found that 105 films (96%) represented sharks as potentially threatening to humans, three films subtly portrayed a threat to humans, and only one, Finding Dory, did not pain shark in a negative light.
• Le Busque notes that the promotional posters of 75% of the movies had included shark teeth in the poster design.
• According to him, because sharks are a frequent subject of media coverage, it appears to have the effect of making people "think that the [chance of encountering] a shark is higher than it is".
• Popular press coverage can contribute to the stigmatization even when it does not mention sharks biting humans — one notable example happened in 2015 when Australian fishermen caught a frilled shark; headlines about this incident included phrases such as "Terrifying" (The Independent), "Rare and Horrific", (NPR) "Like a Horror Movie" (FOX News), "Freaky" (Yahoo), and other negative phrases that can be damaging to the reputation and subsequently the perception of sharks.

Emotional Response

• In 2019 a National Geographic article on the psychology of fear revealed that people fear sharks for a fairly simple reason — because they are large, wild animals that can seriously hurt or kill them.
• According to Blake Chapman, a marine biologist and shark expert at the University of Queensland, Australia, galeophobia, or a fear of sharks, is not irrational.
• The body's natural flight or fight response is triggered when human beings believe that they are under stress or danger, whether it is imagined or real; this response is the body's method of protection — by producing stress hormones, adrenaline, and cortisol. Anxiety related to the object of a phobia can cause the activation of the stress response.
• Chapman added, "Fear is something that we've inherited from our early ancestors. [Sharks] are an animal. Biological things like animals are something that we're very prone to fear."
• David Ropeik, a consultant on risk perception and author, explains that the fear of sharks comes from the way in which sharks kill their prey — being eaten alive by a 15-foot-long shark appears to be a horrific way to pass from, and people generally dread the possibility that a shark attack could be the thing that kills them.
• A study found that 38% of Americans said that they are afraid to swim in the ocean because of sharks, while 51% of respondents expressed being "absolutely terrified" of them. Despite there being approximately six million more car accidents in the U.S. than shark attacks, galeophobia is much more common than the fear of driving or cars; the evidence suggests that fear is not necessarily based on risk.
• Elania Zachos, an author, believes that a huge component of fear is the perception of control — "When driving a car, you feel in control as you move the steering wheel and push the pedals. When swimming in the ocean, however, you have no control over the inhabitants or their behavior, therefore making the situation seem scarier."

Research Strategy

Key Takeaways

• In a study conducted by researchers from Allegheny College, 73.6% of the assessed Shark Week episodes included a form of fear-inducing language, with the comments majorly focused on human shark bites. Positive mentions of sharks were mostly played over the ending credits and briefly mentioned, while the fear-instilling narrative was showcased throughout the episode.
• The three shark species most commonly shown during Shark Week are not among the most endangered. These are the tiger sharks, white sharks, and bull sharks
• After Megalodon: The Monster Shark Lives (2013), 73% of respondents believed that Otodous megalodon was still alive, even though all scientific evidence suggests that megalodon became extinct more than two million years ago. Such shows also reinforce the stigma around sharks.

Introduction

Stance: Shark Week Benefits the Shark Population

1. The Impact of Positive Representation of Sharks

• Even though sharks are more frequently depicted negatively than positively, messages on conservation appear in 53% of the episodes analyzed in the research, looking at 272 episodes (100% as of 2021).
•  63.2% of the episodes mentioned sharks as beautiful, ecologically important, awe-inspiring, or misunderstood.
• The study from Allegheny College only found six occasions whereby a program looked at how the audience could help sharks.

• Shows that portray sharks positively inspire the conservation and awareness of sharks. For example, some episodes connect shark fishing for meat and fins to the current population decline of sharks.

2. Social Media Sentiment

• Between 2014 and 2017, Twitter's discussions surrounding sharks shifted from “negative or slightly negative to slightly positive or positive during Shark Week air dates compared to non-Shark Week parts of the year.” In this instance, there is evidence that Shark Week inspires awareness of sharks.

Stance: Shark Week Hurts the Shark Population

1. The Impact of Negative Representation of Sharks

• A study conducted by researchers from Allegheny College looking at over 200 Shark Week episodes found that the programming is focused on negative representations of sharks.
• Several Shark Week programs emphasize fearing sharks and deeming them violent attackers, rather than promoting conservation efforts or an understanding of the species. Examples are Deadly Stripes: Tiger Sharks, Sharkpocalypse, Sharks: Are They Hunting Us?, and Great White Serial Killer.
• The research that analyzed titles from 272 episodes (100% as of 2021) of Shark Week programming found that many Shark Week programs align sharks with risk, fear, and adrenaline.
•  73.6% of the assessed episodes included a form of fear-inducing language, with the comments majorly focused on human shark bites. Positive mentions of sharks were mostly played over the ending credits and briefly mentioned, while the fear-instilling narrative was showcased throughout the episode.
• These positive portrayals can be confusing for viewers, especially when paired with dramatic, gory scenes of shark attacks.
• 'Shark bites' were one of the most common episode topics while about 22% of the episodes had unfavorable words like fear, attack, deadly, and monster.

• With its highly negative representation of sharks, Shark Week is likely leading to the perception of sharks as monsters. As David But McGuire, the director and founder of the conservation organization Shark Stewards, states, Shark Week has never been centered around conservation.

 

Source

 

2. The Impact of Research, Experts, Hosts, and Scientists Leveraged during Shark Week

• In most cases, Shark Week does not correctly portray shark research or the expertise diversity in the field.
• Even though most of Shark Week's programs are allegedly derived from legitimate research and science, Allegheny College's study found that many shows “relied on non-scientist hosts using atypical methods to answer a question long answered by the scientific community.”
• The depictions of scientists and research on Shark Week are partisan towards a small set of research methodologies, which are usually expensive and visual.
• Some methods used by the shows reflect wildlife harassment and many hosts have made false statements surrounding the behavior, biology, or conservation of sharks.
• Shark Week's celebrity episodes frequently show unwarranted artificial danger or unsuitable interactions with animals such as harassing them, which undermines the positive messaging.
• Many of the shows take place in South Africa, the Bahamas, or Mexico. However, local scientists are featured very rarely.
• Caucasian hosts are brought in, and they often have no relevant expertise. The show leverages mostly white male scientists and also presents white male non-scientists as experts.
• Many people of color who work in the shark research field have never been on Shark Week programs.

 

Source

 

• Shark Week's choice surrounding experts, hosts, research, and scientists reinforces the stigma and stereotypes around sharks by undermining the presentation of sharks and shark science and conservation matters.

3. The Lack of Diversity in Shark Week

• The three shark species most commonly shown during Shark Week are not among the most endangered. These are the tiger sharks, white sharks, and bull sharks.
• Also, the most highly endangered species have not been featured at any point.

• Shark Week is a missed opportunity since it does not share substantially accurate and useful information about sharks and their conservation. This does not inspire conservation and awareness.

4. The Dangers of Misinformation Perpetuated by the Series.

• Fictional programming from Shark Week with shows like Shark of Darkness: Wrath of Submarine (2014) which feature CGI and actors pretending to be government officials and scientists without informing the viewers reinforces the stigma surrounding sharks.
• After Megalodon: The Monster Shark Lives (2013), 73% of respondents believed that Otodous megalodon was still alive, even though all scientific evidence suggests that megalodon became extinct more than 2 million years ago. Such shows also reinforce the stigma around sharks.

 

Source

 

Research Strategy

Key Takeaways

• Sharks have often been depicted in the form of superpowered shark-human hybrids in popular culture, especially in comics, games, live-action movies, and animated series. Popular characters like King Shark, Shark-Girl, Tiger Shark, and the four brothers from the animated series Street Sharks display a combination of human intelligence and powers like superhuman strength, speed, stamina, the ability to transform at will, and the ability to breathe both underwater and on land. These powers mostly get amplified due to the genetic transformations they have undergone.
• Sharks have also been depicted as friendly creatures in popular culture, especially in animated movies and series. The animated series Jabberjaw and the animated movies 'Finding Nemo' and its sequel 'Finding Dory' showed friendly sharks that befriended either humans or other fishes and marine creatures.
•  Jabberjaw was an animated series created by Hanna-Barbera in 1976. The series featured a talking amphibious great white shark called Jabberjaw, who was also the drummer in a rock band called the Neptunes. Besides playing in the band alongside his human friends Biff, Clamhead, Bubbles, and Shelly, the friendly shark also solved mysteries under the sea.

Introduction

As Superpowered Creatures

• Sharks have often been depicted in the form of superpowered shark-human hybrids in popular culture, especially in comics, games, live-action movies, and animated series. Popular characters like King Shark, Shark-Girl, Tiger Shark, and the four brothers from the animated series Street Sharks display a combination of human intelligence and powers like superhuman strength, speed, stamina, the ability to transform at will, and the ability to breathe both underwater and on land. These powers mostly get amplified due to the genetic transformations they have undergone.
• King Shark (real name Nanaue) is a fictional supervillain and a humanoid shark in the DC Comics universe. As the son of Lord Chondrakha, the God of all Sharks, King Shark is blessed with several superpowers, such as enhanced sonar, human-like intelligence, superhuman strength, durability, healing, regeneration, and underwater adaptation. He also has the ability to breathe outside water, walk on land, talk, sing, read books, and is skilled in melee combat and swordsmanship. While King Shark debuted in the Superboy #0 comic book, he has since appeared alongside other DC superheroes like Aquaman, Superman, and the Flash. King Shark has also appeared in the live-action movie 'The Suicide Squad' and will appear in the game 'Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League.'
  Source
   
•  Shark-Girl (real name Iara dos Santos) is a member of the fictional superhero team X-Men in the Marvel Comics universe. Originally from Brazil, Iara dos Santos transformed into a were-shark when she had a strong and sudden craving for fresh fish. She debuted in the 'Wolverine & the X-Men' Vol.1 issue 20 comic book and has even appeared in the mobile card game 'X-Men: Battle of the Atom.' Shark-Girl's superpowers include the ability to shapeshift into a shark, transition into a shark-human hybrid, retain her full human memories and consciousness while in transitional modes, and display superhuman strength, speed, and stamina.
  Source
   
•  Street Sharks was an American animated series that aired from 1994 to 1997. The series featured four teenage brothers who had been genetically transformed into anthropomorphic sharks by the series villain Dr. Paradigm. Each brother then gained unique superpowers like extremely durable teeth that could cut through steel, the ability to create seismic activity by stomping the ground, and the ability to transmute into a hammerhead shark to head-butt opponents, among others. While their powers resembled the abilities of the sharks whose appearances they took on, their strengths were "amplified by their genetic transformation."
  Source
   
•  Tiger Shark (real name Todd Arliss) is a fictional supervillain and a superpowered shark-human hybrid in the Marvel Comics universe. After suffering an accident at sea, Todd Arliss underwent a genetic transformation at the hands of the evil scientist Dr. Dorcas who imprinted the genetic pattern of sharks onto him. Tiger Shark is the arch-enemy of the Marvel superhero Namor the Submariner and has superpowered abilities like superhuman strength and speed, extremely quick rate of recovery underwater, the ability to see underwater, the ability to withstand the massive underwater pressures, the ability to slow down metabolism until hibernation, high level of technological intelligence, and extreme proficiency with weapons and vehicles.
  Source
   

As Friendly Creatures

• Sharks have also been depicted as friendly creatures in popular culture, especially in animated movies and series. The animated series Jabberjaw and the animated movies 'Finding Nemo' and its sequel 'Finding Dory' showed friendly sharks that befriended either humans or other fishes and marine creatures.
•  Jabberjaw was an animated series created by Hanna-Barbera in 1976. The series featured a talking amphibious great white shark called Jabberjaw, who was also the drummer in a rock band called the Neptunes. Besides playing in the band alongside his human friends Biff, Clamhead, Bubbles, and Shelly, the friendly shark also solved mysteries under the sea. However, Jabberjaw had to face opposition from the robots of 'Shark Ejectors,' guards that prevented sharks from venturing into underwater cities. The series became popular due to Jabberjaw's iconic catchphrase, "I don't get no respect."
  Source
   
• The 2003 hit animated movie 'Finding Nemo' by Pixar Animation Studios featured a friendly great white shark called Bruce who just wanted to befriend fish instead of eating them. Bruce was the leader of the Fish-Friendly Sharks support group that included two other sharks called Chum and Anchor. One of Bruce's lines in the movie was: "I am a nice shark, not a mindless eating machine. If I am to change this image, I must first change myself. Fish are friends, not food."
  Source
   
• 'Finding Dory,' the 2016 animated sequel to 'Finding Nemo,' featured a friendly but clumsy whale shark called Destiny who helped the movie's protagonist Dory in her journey to find her parents. Destiny, voiced by actress Kaitlin Olsen, befriended Dory when she was stranded at the Marine Life Institute. The World Wide Fund for Nature classifies whale shark as the largest shark as well as the largest fish alive.
  Source
   

Research Strategy

Key Takeaways

• Alcohol brands, such as Shark Tooth Distillery and Blue Shark, use shark iconography, including in their names and packaging. Labels of their vodka bottles feature simple designs with different shades of blue and shark motives.
• Several sports teams, such as Wilmington Sharks and New York Sharks, use shark iconography in their branding, including names and logos. In both cases, the color palette is similar, including grey, white, and blue. Sharks in the logo are cartoon-like, humanized, and display emotions connected with sports.
• Sweets, especially gummies, often use shark iconography in line with the overall popularity of the motif among products for kids. Sharks are used in product names, packaging, and sweets' shapes. Sharks from Sweets from Heaven are an example of shark-shaped gummies with playful packaging featuring a laughing cartoon shark on a colorful background.

Introduction

Drinks

Energy Drinks

• Energy drinks, such as Shark Energy and White Shark drink, use shark iconography in their branding and packaging. There doesn't seem to be a pattern of use as White Shark appears to differ significantly in terms of visual style.
• The Shark Energy brand uses shark-inspired typography in its logo and consequently, packaging. The drink's name, Shark, is shark-shaped. Shark's jaw is emphasized and curved into the letter S.

 

Source

 

• The White Shark drink by Osotspa in Thailand also uses shark iconography in its logo and packaging. The same design of a shark in an attacking position is used both on the product's label and the poster.

 

Source

 

Alcohol

• Alcohol brands, such as Shark Tooth Distillery and Blue Shark, use shark iconography, including in their names and packaging. Labels of their vodka bottles feature simple designs with different shades of blue, though Blue Shark depicts a shark in a realistic way, while Shark Tooth uses a plain vector form.
• Shark Tooth Distillery uses shark iconography as its logo. The full body of a shark is used on alcohol bottles and cans. In addition, a picture of a shark's tooth hanging from a necklace is used on vodka bottles.

 
Source
 

 

Source

 

• Blue Shark uses shark iconography on its alcohol bottles. The letter "A" in the brand's name is replaced with a swimming shark, while the background is a realistic design with a shark in the water. According to the company's website, "the pictures depict a shark swimming in a bottle, like a ship in a bottle. The design was created by Mark and Brooke Bloomquist, who daydreamed about bottling the exciting feeling they experienced on deep sea dives, encountering the docile, but friendly, Blue Shark."

 

Source

Tea

• Tea is also a category in which shark iconography is frequently used, though, as seen below, the products often have a stated mission to celebrate sea life or help endangered species. It is worth noting that apart from the presented examples, there are a lot of accessories, particularly shark-inspired tea infusers, including designer ones like Sharky.
• Ocean-Teabag Hibiscus Blend Tea features a bold design of a shark with an open mouth. As can be seen in additional pictures, teabags are also shark-shaped. It is part of a series of teabags shaped as different sea creatures by a Japanese company that aims to innovate the tea traditions in the country.

 

Source

 

•  White Shark Chai by David Rio is a white tea blend and a part of the Endangered Species line. It aims to celebrate sharks from the Farallon Islands. Apart from the name, it features a small vector drawing of a shark.

 

Source

 

Sports Teams

• Several sports teams, such as Wilmington Sharks and New York Sharks, use shark iconography in their branding, including names and logos. In both cases, the color palette is similar, including grey, white, and blue. Sharks in the logo are cartoon-like, humanized, and display emotions connected with sports.
• Wilmington Sharks, a US baseball team, uses it as a part of its logo. The upper part and tail of a shark are emphasized. The shark is pictured resting its fins on a stick.

 

Source

 

• New York Sharks, a women’s tackle football team, also uses a shark in its logo. The shark's mouth is emphasized, with a football in its mouth.

 

Source

Sweets

• Sweets, especially gummies, often use shark iconography in line with the overall popularity of the motif in products for kids. Sharks are used in product names, packaging, and sweets' shapes.
• For example, Funtasty Gummy Blue Sharks are shark-shaped and appropriately named gummies, with the packaging that features a photo of the contents, i.e., gummies in the form of tiny sharks.
 
Source
 
• Sharks from Sweets from Heaven are another example of shark-shaped gummies, though the packaging is much more playful, featuring a laughing cartoon shark on a colorful background.
 
Source
 

Sports Wear Brands

• Several sportswear brands, such as Paul & Shark and Shark Sportswear, use shark iconography in their names and logos in strikingly different ways, which makes it better to describe them separately.
• Paul & Shark has a simple vector form of a shark as part of its logo, as well as the word "shark" in its name. It is likely that the focus on the shark in branding stems from the company being associated with marine activities, i.e., focus on yachting.

 

Source

 

• Shark Custom Teamwear uses a shark's dorsal as a key part of its logo. The logo is in intense yellow, which differs from the usual blue and grey palette of brands that use shark iconography.

 

Source

 

Research Strategy