By Trimmel Gomes, Florida News Connection
As Halloween approaches, a spooky campaign aims to clear up the common misunderstandings about some of nature's most feared creatures.
In collaboration with other organizations, Defenders of Wildlife is launching its "Real Scary Movies" campaign, to highlight how animals often vilified in horror stories - like sharks, bats, and wolves - are vital to the health of their ecosystems.
Jane Davenport, senior attorney with Defenders of Wildlife, said she hopes to dispel these myths - many of which she said have been fueled by Hollywood blockbusters, like the 1975 movie Jaws.
"Obviously, a shark attack on a human is a terrifying and, unfortunately, sometimes tragic event," said Davenport. "There's only about 70 unprovoked shark attacks on people every year, all around the world. But on the other hand, humans are killing northwards of 80 million sharks every year."
Davenport said she believes the shark's frightening reputation has contributed to a lack of focus on their preservation, leading some species toward extinction.
The shark-fishing industry defends its practices by claiming U.S. shark fisheries are among the most sustainable, with laws that prevent overfishing and enhance economic value.
The campaign urges the public to make more sustainable choices of seafood and consumer products, and to look beyond the scary imagery - even if it's just for Halloween fun.
For Davenport, the public should recognize that the real "spooky and scary" story is how human activities pose a significant threat to wildlife.
"Species like sharks and bats and wolves are not out there trying to do anything other than than live their lives," said Davenport. "And so, we really need to bring awareness and do some myth-busting, to try to dispel the image that these are creepy, scary creatures."
In the spirit of the season, the campaign will put a unique twist on popular scary movies to highlight the harmful impacts of issues like bycatch - when non-target marine animals are inadvertently hooked or netted by fishermen targeting other species.
It's a different perspective to consider while binging the Jaws series.
