South Carolina Aquarium’s Shark Week Features Dive Shows and Shark Teeth Digs
Charleston, S.C.— The Great Ocean Tank at the South Carolina Aquarium is buzzing with activity as the home of nine sharks becomes the center of attention during the annual Shark Week. An expected crowd of shark fanatics and curious aquarium enthusiasts are pulled in by the fascinating world of these ocean predators.
Importance of Sharks in the Ocean Ecosystem
Meghan Galipeau, an educator at the South Carolina Aquarium, emphasizes the importance of sharks in maintaining the ocean’s health. Sharks often prey on sick and injured fish, which prevents the disease from spreading across the ocean. Remarkably, despite preying on ill and injured creatures, sharks themselves do not fall ill, thus acting as a natural control mechanism within the marine ecosystem.
Special Programming for the Shark Week
Dive shows and shark teeth digs are the highlights of the Shark Week. These interactive activities provide an opportunity for visitors to get a deeper understanding of the life of sharks, their behaviors, and their importance in the marine food chain.
“Sharks lose and replace thousands of teeth throughout their lives. When they lose one, a new one just comes forward in a row,” explained Galipeau. This is why fossilized shark teeth are a common find along shorelines.
The Sharks in the Great Ocean Tank
The Great Ocean Tank houses four species of sharks – sandbar, sand tiger, nurse, and blacknose. The aim of the Shark Week event is not to invoke fear, but to promote understanding and inspire awe, said Galipeau. She hopes to instill in visitors an increased appreciation and concern for the welfare of this crucial player in oceanic ecosystems, and consequently discourage fear or harm towards them.
On-going Shark Week
The Shark Week event at South Carolina Aquarium, as fascinating as it is informative, will continue until Sunday, July 14. The packaged experience aims to educate the visitors about sharks, hoping to replace fear with fascination and respect for these misunderstood creatures of the deep.
