Jawsfest: The Tribute has received numerous questions regarding our Summer for the Sharks conservation initiative, with people wondering if we are against the Boston Big Game Monster Shark Tournament that begins this week. The answer to this question is no; however, we would like to see that tournament convert to a catch-and-release event, as is happening with many such tournaments today. As a local business owner, who also runs TicketsMV.com, I fully appreciate the revenue derived by local businesses from events. I also appreciate that select shark populations have declined by a frightening 90 per cent in the last 40 years.

As part of Jawsfest, we have a three-day shark conservation component entitled Sharks, Arts and Conservation in Oak Bluffs where we will bring together scientists, photographers artists and conservationists from around the world to help us understand and appreciate the importance of sharks to the health of our oceans.

We are pleased to see return of great white sharks in the waters around the Cape, as scientists estimate there may be as few as 3,500 remaining in our oceans. Our season-long initiative includes donation shark receptacles created by local artist Paul McPhee.

I hope this letter helps to answer questions that may exist.

Susan Sigel Goldsmith
West Tisbury

The writer is the producer for Jawfest: The Tribute, an event planned for August.