Wendy inside the chicken coop in Stonington, CT where Peter wrote part of Jaws.
Wendy Benchley
Wendy Benchley, a prominent voice for ocean conservation, co-founded the Peter Benchley Ocean Awards to honor exceptional work in marine conservation. She's received numerous awards for her lifelong dedication, including the International SeaKeepers Lifetime Achievement Award and induction into the Women’s Diving Hall of Fame. Based in Washington, D.C., Wendy is actively involved in marine policy and supports leading environmental organizations like WildAid, Beneath the Waves, and Blue Frontier. As an advisory trustee of the Environmental Defense Fund, Wendy has a rich history of environmental activism, including serving on the Mercer County Board of Chosen Freeholders and Princeton Borough Council. Wendy and Peter Benchley, were partners in advocating for sharks and ocean conservation for over 40 years.
“Peter and I learned to dive in the early 70s. Even before Peter wrote Jaws, we loved the ocean. Unfortunately, that smile on my face is fake, as diving did not come easily for me due to severe claustrophobia. But I didn't want to be left behind, so I worked hard on learning deep breathing techniques to conquer it. I am so glad I did. Diving is glorious and played a considerable role in Peter's and my admiration for sharks and our unwavering commitment to ocean conservation.” —Wendy Benchley
“Peter asked me what I wanted to do to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary, and I suggested we go cage diving with great white sharks. Here we are cage diving on Guadalupe Island off the west coast of Mexico's Baja California peninsula, with a gorgeous great white female swimming beside us. When Peter was out filming shark expeditions for years, I was always the last person to experience a cage dive, and the sharks were always gone. Seeing five or six magnificent great whites up close like this was an unforgettable, thrilling rush.” —Wendy Benchley
