Valerie Taylor: Shark Champion Who Filmed Jaws’ Real Sharks
Valerie Taylor swam with sharks, filmed Jaws, and changed how the world sees these amazing creatures. Read her inspiring conservation story.
Valerie Taylor is an Australian legend who has spent her life changing how people see sharks and the ocean. She started as a spearfishing champion but became a leader in protecting marine life. Her story is about passion, growth, and standing up for what matters. Working alongside her husband, Ron Taylor, Valerie helped the world view sharks in a completely new light. As she once said,
“If we can teach people about wildlife, they will be touched. Share my wildlife with me. Because humans want to save things that they love.”
Valerie Taylor
Early Challenges and a Champion’s Rise
Born in Sydney in 1935, Valerie faced challenges early on. She battled polio as a child, a tough start that shaped her resilience. In her teens, she found her strength in spearfishing, a sport few women dared to try at the time. But Valerie didn’t just try—she excelled. She became a national champion, breaking barriers and inspiring others to follow.
In the 1960s, Valerie met Ron Taylor, a fellow spearfishing champion. Together, they shared a love for exploring the ocean. At first, they focused on the thrill of the hunt. Spearfishing competitions were all about catching the biggest fish, and sharks were often the ultimate prize.
But one day, during an expedition where five large sharks were killed, they were struck by the senselessness of it all. Just going out to sea and sighting several large sharks was a prize, what was the point of catching and killing them? That moment changed everything. He and Valerie decided to put down their spears for good and pick up cameras instead. This decision marked the start of their journey as conservationists.
A Shift in Perspective
Back then, the idea of protecting marine life was almost unheard of. Even pioneers like Jacques Cousteau used practices that would be unacceptable today, such as dynamiting underwater ecosystems to study marine specimens. Valerie and Ron started with a similar mindset, hunting sharks without a second thought. But their perspective evolved. They realized the damage these actions caused and turned their energy toward showing the world the beauty of marine life. This shift mirrored a broader awakening in society—an understanding that the natural world needed protection, not exploitation.
When Valerie and Ron began filming underwater, it was groundbreaking work. They wanted to show people what sharks were really like. In their film Blue Water, White Death, they captured the grace and power of great white sharks. Their work caught the attention of Steven Spielberg, who asked for their help with Jaws. The Taylors filmed real sharks for the movie, even diving without cages to get the shots. It was risky, but they believed in what they were doing.
Fighting for the Ocean
Through their footage, they helped dispel myths about sharks and challenged the fear-driven narratives that surrounded them. There’s footage of Valerie diving with dozens of sharks feeding on a whale carcass. Going into the water with sharks is risky enough, but deliberately entering their space during a feeding frenzy was sheer fearlessness, if not outright foolhardiness. They saw it as a rare chance to prove that sharks are not the man-eaters people imagine them to be.
Their advocacy didn’t stop with filmmaking. Valerie and Ron became fierce defenders of the ocean. They fought to protect the Great Barrier Reef and campaigned against oil drilling in Ningaloo Marine Park. They helped secure World Heritage status for the Coral Sea Islands.
Valerie also became a vocal critic of plastic pollution, speaking out about the harm it does to marine life. Her dedication to conservation has inspired countless others to care for the ocean. Over the years, Valerie’s work has been widely recognized. In 2010, she was awarded the Order of Australia for her contributions to marine conservation. Her life and work were also the focus of the acclaimed documentary Playing with Sharks, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. Through her efforts, she has inspired people worldwide to see sharks not as threats, but as vital parts of the ocean’s ecosystem.
A Legacy of Inspiration
Beyond her conservation work, Valerie is also an artist. She paints vivid scenes of the underwater world, capturing its beauty and fragility. She has spent years teaching children about marine life, hoping to inspire the next generation of ocean lovers. Her words, her art, and her actions all reflect her deep connection to the sea.
Valerie Taylor’s life is a story of transformation and dedication. She’s shown the world that sharks are not monsters, but essential and awe-inspiring creatures. Her journey reminds us that one person’s actions can spark big changes. For too long, sharks have been misunderstood and hunted because we don’t understand or respect them, but perspectives are beginning to change.
As Valerie says, “I feel that the general public are starting to realise that the ocean is an important part of the wellbeing of the planet.”
Her work calls on all of us to love, protect, and cherish the natural world, for the future of the ocean and everything that depends on it.
FAQ
Did Valerie Taylor kill a shark?
Valerie Taylor began her underwater career as a champion spearfisher in the 1950s, during which she did kill sharks. Over time, she experienced a profound change of heart, becoming a passionate advocate for shark conservation. This transformation is highlighted in the documentary Playing with Sharks, which showcases her journey from hunter to protector.
Did she wear a wetsuit while diving with sharks?Yes, Valerie Taylor wore wetsuits while diving with sharks. In fact, she and her husband Ron were pioneers in developing specialized diving equipment, including stainless steel chain mail suits, to safely interact with sharks. This innovation allowed them to become the first divers to film great white sharks underwater without a cage.
Where did Ron and Valerie Taylor meet?
Valerie met her future husband, Ron Taylor, through a spearfishing club in the early 1960s. Their shared passion for the underwater world led to a lifelong partnership in both marriage and marine exploration.
Why is Valerie Taylor famous?
Valerie Taylor is renowned for her groundbreaking work in marine conservation and underwater filmmaking. Starting as a champion spearfisher, she transitioned to a fervent advocate for sharks, using her films and photography to change public perceptions and promote ocean conservation.
Was the underwater shark footage in Jaws real?
Yes, the underwater shark footage in Jaws was real. Ron and Valerie Taylor were commissioned to capture live shark footage for the film. Notably, the scene where a shark becomes entangled in a cage was filmed by the Taylors near Dangerous Reef in South Australia, using real sharks to enhance the movie’s authenticity.
Also Read:
- Looking for Ethical Shark Cage Diving in South Africa? Right This Way
- Why a Marine Reserve Near Placencia, Belize, Is The Best Place To Swim With Whale Sharks
- Where to Swim with Whale Sharks in Panama’s Unspoiled Waters (For Eco-Conscious Divers)
- Looking for the Safest Shark Encounter at Tiger Beach Bahamas? Here Are The Best Dive Centers To Go With
- Best Fakarava Liveaboard Options Reviewed: Dive into the Famous Wall of Sharks and Explore Rich Marine Biodiversity