I’ve got a Jawsome new job...
SNAPPERS WHO FILM FOR TV SHARK WEEK
IT’S a terrifying job with some potentially horrific drawbacks.
But these snappers were happy to get up close with sharks for a new TV series.
They filmed jaw-dropping underwater scenes, even touching the hungry beasts.
But according to one of the snappers, the creatures aren’t the monsters they might seem.
They blame the movie Jaws for making the world terrified of sharks by portraying them as ruthless “eating machines”.
Conservationist Kori Garza, 28, said: “The movie portrayed this idea of a rogue shark that goes out and eats everybody and has a taste for humans. That’s not accurate.
“The film had such a big impact. Before it came out, if someone was bitten it was called a shark incident. After it
came out, it was called a shark attack. And people started shark fishing tournaments.
“They saw a shark get killed in the movie and wanted to do it themselves. It’s a shame people take things so literally.”
Kori, who has worked up close with sharks for a decade, added: “Sharks are capable predators, so I would never say there’s no risk.
“But there isn’t the extreme risk people think. We show they’re not the monsters they’re made out to be.”
National Geographic WILD is airing its Sharkfest season, which will include 17 new shows, from tomorrow.
Kori, who fronts an episode about tiger sharks, said: “People will watch because they’re intrigued.
“And then we can show them that Jaws isn’t the reality and shift their perception.”