Right, right.
No, it wasn’t the Jaws thread that foreshadowed an attack. Instead, it’s a warning from researchers that “Shark Week” needs to promote diversity and positive shark messaging in the future.
Discovery’s Golden Hour “Shark Week” programming was based on negative shark stereotypes, lack of emphasis on conservation topics, and mostly white, male shark experts — all of that in a way Research recently published in the journal Public Science Library.
Researchers examined hundreds of Shark Week programs that have aired since 1988 to analyze messages being conveyed about sharks—and who communicated them. More than 90 percent of the professionals appearing in the episodes are white; and about 78 percent are men.
“When there are hundreds of people of color interested in working in this field, [and] when my field is more than half female, it’s probably not coincidental that they only refer to white men,” said David Shiffman, co-author of the study from Arizona State University. told washington articles.
Last year, Discover answered about the initial findings with the following statement: “We will move on to comment on a study that has not been scientifically approved and has been reviewed by our actual scientists and conservation efforts and partners. ours for comment.” They have yet to comment since the scientific review.
I think we can all agree that diversity in programs and hosts has the potential to spur a new generation of shark conservationists. While we wait for what Shark Week 2023 has in store, there’s still plenty of time to support organizations like Minority in Shark Science (MISS)work on the front line every day.
