The origins of the tale's hybrid horror begin in 1972 at a secret Navy base off St. Lucia, where researchers cross a dolphin with a great white shark, creating a monster to generate fear and loathing in Vietnam. The Navy covers up the failed experiment, and 25 years later, cut to the Chase -- namely, scientist Simon Chase, who moves to the island to research a cancer-shark connection. Chase brings along his scientist ex-wife, his 15-year-old son, Max, and their pet sea lion.