HOLLYWOOD — Forty-nine years after Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli famously water-skied over a caged shark on Happy Days, the shark involved has finally broken its silence and is demanding justice.

“I was told this was a fair contest,” the shark said through its attorney. “Then this leather-jacketed maniac comes flying over me on water skis while 30 million people cheer. Total setup.”

The shark, now retired and living somewhere off Boca Raton, claims producers deliberately stacked the deck by placing it in a cage.

“Of course he jumped me,” the shark said. “I was incarcerated.”

According to newly discovered documents found under a studio commissary dumpster, the shark has spent nearly five decades plotting retribution under the working title:

OPERATION: EAT THE FONZ.

The plan has allegedly gone through several revisions.

1978: Bite Fonzie.

1985: Sue whoever invented the phrase “jump the shark.”

1997: Start podcast.

2012: Demand documentary.

2026: Finish what was started.

The shark is reportedly especially furious that the stunt became shorthand for television shows becoming ridiculous.

“That wasn’t the show jumping the shark,” it complained.

“That was a guy literally jumping me. Somehow I’m the metaphor now?”

Legal experts say the case could become complicated because the statute of limitations expired sometime around the invention of Betamax.

The shark’s attorney disagrees.

“My client has suffered 49 years of reputational damage,” he said. “Every time a TV show gets stupid, people blame him.”

Henry Winkler has not responded to the shark’s demands, although sources say he remains protected by a highly trained security team consisting of two lifeguards and Ralph Malph.

The Canton Cat attempted to mediate.

I offered the shark half a tuna sandwich.

It stared at me for 14 straight seconds.

Negotiations have ended.