Man Becomes First Person To Swim Around Martha's Vineyard, Urges People To Protect Sharks

CBS Boston

Updated on: May 27, 2025

British-South African endurance athlete Lewis Pugh officially finished his 62-mile, 12-day swim around the Massachusetts island of Martha's Vineyard on Monday, aiming to become the first person to accomplish the feat. Pugh is making the landmark attempt to change people's perception of sharks.

Pugh began swimming multiple hours a day in the 47-degree water on May 15 to raise awareness about the plight of sharks as the film "Jaws" nears its 50th anniversary. He said he wants to change public perceptions and encourage protections for the at-risk animals - which he said the film maligned as "villains" and "cold-blooded killers."

"It was a film about sharks attacking humans, and for 50 years, we have been attacking sharks," he said before plunging into the ocean near the Edgartown Lighthouse. "It's madness. We need to respect them."

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