The word “shark” triggers a sense of fear in most humans when they think about what could possibly lurk beneath the surface of the ocean waters. But that sense of fear tends to be embedded in cultures where they make the shark out to be a creature to be feared. This perception of the shark comes from a number of things, including the way that the media portrays the animal, to what one’s culture views them as, or personal experience and interest. Because of the sharks’ mysterious nature, different cultures have looked at the shark in diverse perspectives. Some treat the shark as if it is a god like figure, while others view the shark as an enemy and one to be feared. We want to examine the ways that these cultures view the shark and through what forms they have shaped their perception of the animal. In different cultures around the world, sharks have been represented and perceived in a variety of ways that range from religious idols to prestigious dinner entrees. All of these representations have impacted the way sharks are seen and treated today.

By: Brittany Levin-Clarke & Taylor Garrett