Peter Benchley

Peter Benchley (1940-2006) was an author, screenwriter and ocean activist. Summers spent fishing on Nantucket Island sparked a curiosity about sharks and a deep passion for the ocean, a central element in his novels and non-fiction books. Jaws, The Deep and The Island were bestsellers that became major motion pictures. In addition to his writing, Peter Benchley produced films and television programs documenting the importance of a healthy ocean. For more than three decades, he worked as a prominent public advocate for shark and ocean conservation.