While some shark species, such as nurse sharks, zebra sharks, reef sharks, and sand tiger sharks, seem to thrive in aquariums, the great white shark has proven to be a significant challenge. For decades, aquariums have attempted to contain the world’s largest predatory fish. Institutions like Marineland, SeaWorld, and the Steinhart Aquarium repeatedly took in white sharks during the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, often drawing large crowds. However, these sharks never lasted long. Some needed help swimming, and none of them would eat. The longest one lasted was just 16 days. A 1984 report by the Steinhart Aquarium stated, “In most cases it could be said that all these captive sharks were merely in the process of dying, with some taking longer than others.”
It wasn’t until 2004 that the Monterey Bay Aquarium proved that it was possible to keep white sharks for at least six months. This achievement required a massive effort. The Monterey Bay Aquarium had a million-gallon, egg-shaped tank, 35 feet deep, designed for open-ocean animals like tuna and sharks. They also needed a small shark. Adult great whites reach 15 feet on average. The Monterey Bay Aquarium nabbed one in 2004 that was 4 feet, 4 inches, less than a year old. This made it easier to move and keep.
When young, white sharks feed on fish. As they get older, they transition to feeding more on mammals. The Monterey Bay team targeted the age bracket where they knew they were more able to feed their natural diet. They also set up a 4 million gallon pen in the ocean to monitor the shark and see if it would feed before they moved it into a transport tank to travel from southern California, where the sharks were born, up to the aquarium.
Sharks, like all fish, need to have water continually passing through their gills to get oxygen. Most species can open and close their mouths to pump the water through. But white sharks and a couple dozen other species don’t do that. To breathe, they have to move forward through the water with their mouths open. This is why white sharks start to weaken as soon as they’re caught in a net, and why they needed a custom-built transport tank with mobile life support.
Despite the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s success, keeping white sharks in captivity took a toll on the animals. They developed visible sores from bumping into the sides of the tank. Over the next six years, the aquarium displayed five more baby white sharks, some they paid fishermen to hand over, some they caught themselves. Their stays ranged from just 11 days up to 5 months. However, the aquarium decided to release its sixth white shark after 55 days, and its tracking tag revealed that the shark died shortly after being released. Since then, they haven’t tried to bring in another great white shark.
For those interested in learning more about sharks and other aspects of biodiversity, the Biodiversity Heritage Library is a great online resource. It’s the product of a couple dozen museums and libraries all agreeing to scan millions of pages from books related to biodiversity. They’ve got a bunch of great albums on Flickr, including one that’s all about sharks. Some of these go back to the 16th and 17th centuries, back when naturalists used to call sharks “sea dogs” which is funny because as we now know, sharks were roaming the oceans for about 300 million years before the first mammals showed up.
Choose a shark species mentioned in the article (nurse shark, zebra shark, reef shark, sand tiger shark, or great white shark). Research its habitat, diet, and behavior. Create a poster or digital presentation to share your findings with the class. Include images and interesting facts to make your presentation engaging.
Imagine you are tasked with designing an aquarium tank for a great white shark. Consider the challenges mentioned in the article, such as the need for a large, deep tank and a natural diet. Draw a detailed design of your tank, including features that would help the shark thrive. Explain your design choices in a short essay.
Divide into two groups. One group will argue in favor of keeping great white sharks in aquariums for educational and research purposes. The other group will argue against it, focusing on the ethical and practical challenges. Use information from the article to support your arguments. After the debate, discuss as a class the pros and cons of keeping large marine animals in captivity.
Create a simple simulation to understand how sharks need to move to breathe. Use a large open space and have one student act as a shark, moving continuously to simulate the need for water to pass through their gills. Other students can act as obstacles or nets. Discuss how this activity relates to the challenges of keeping sharks in captivity.
Visit the Biodiversity Heritage Library online. Find and explore the albums related to sharks. Choose an image or a piece of information that you find fascinating. Write a short report on what you learned and how it connects to the history and study of sharks. Share your findings with the class.
keeping – the act of retaining or maintaining something – I enjoy keeping a journal to document my thoughts and experiences.
sharks – large, predatory fish with cartilaginous skeletons and highly developed senses – We went diving and had the incredible opportunity to swim with sharks.
aquariums – enclosed tanks or structures used to house and display aquatic plants and animals – The aquarium had a stunning display of colorful fish and coral.
challenge – a difficult task or situation that requires effort and determination to overcome – Climbing Mount Everest was the biggest challenge of my life.
species – a distinct type or category of organisms that share common characteristics – There are over 1,000 known species of butterflies in the world.
nurse – a person trained to provide medical care and assistance to patients – The nurse checked my vital signs and administered the medication.
zebra – a large, wild animal native to Africa with black and white stripes – We went on a safari and spotted a herd of zebras grazing on the plains.
reef – a ridge or chain of rocks, sand, or coral lying at or near the surface of water – Snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef was a breathtaking experience.
sand tiger – a type of shark known for its jagged teeth and intimidating appearance – The sand tiger shark glided through the water with its fierce gaze.
great white – a large predatory shark with a white belly and grayish back – The documentary showcased the hunting behavior of the great white shark.
