It’s Discovery Channel’s Shark Week this week, which means the channel will be airing a variety of programmes about our toothed friends of the deep. But, while television programming might focus on sensationalist aspects of sharks and depict them as bloodthirsty, here at the Aquarium we prefer to think of sharks as delightful denizens of the deep; gentle, mostly misunderstood creatures.
Over at The Dive Site, “Shark Warrior” Lesley Rochat, founder of AfriOceans Conservation Alliance (AOCA), expresses her dismay at portrayals of these ocean predators that encourage “fear and loathing of sharks”.
Lesley has a wealth of shark information – with conservation as the key focus – on her blog, so if you’re into these finned creatures you’ll learn a lot from her articles. You can also check out great underwater images and learn more about local and international conservation efforts on her blog.
The Aquarium has a long-established relationship with shark conservation. In 2003 we joined forces with Lesley’s AOCA and the Save our Seas Foundation to raise awareness of the plight of sharks worldwide and the desperate need for their conservation.
Central to the launch of this high-profile public awareness programme is Maxine, a large female ragged-tooth shark, released from the Aquarium on March 18, 2004. The exposure generated by this exercise has been substantial and far-reaching and, with the release of our other ragged-tooth sharks, we hope to contribute significantly to ongoing research of ragged-tooth sharks in the wild and to change perceptions of sharks in general.
Says Two Oceans Managing Director Dr Patrick Garratt: “Throughout recorded history man has feared sharks. We have experienced sufficient attacks on bathers, surfers, divers and people stranded at sea to consider them ‘monstrous beasts’ that should be killed at every opportunity. To this day, the vast majority of people still believe that ‘the only good shark is a dead shark’.
“Our message to anyone entering the sea, for whatever purpose, is that we should accept that we are entering a wilderness area in which sharks reign supreme. To us, it is no different to taking a walk in the Kruger Park. Would it be realistic not to expect a possible attack by lions? No, there is good reason for remaining in the protection of our cars when we enter a game park!”
You can download documents about our shark conservation here.
Of course, don’t forget that you can swim with ragged-tooth sharks at the Aquarium – no cage (or baiting) required.
We’d be doing the kids an injustice if we didn’t mention Silver the Shark who, along with fellow mascot Terminator the Seal, gets up to all sorts of fun and games in and around Cape Town, much to the delight of Aquarium fans.
And here’s a video that follows Maxine’s journey, courtesy saveourseas.
