Interpreting the Blue Sharks at Underwater World

Abstract

Interpreting the Blue Sharks at Underwater World Essay by Ryder W. Miller San Francisco, California, USA October 2nd, 1998: It was an exciting night at Underwater World, one filled with surprise and elation. There was a special, special treat: the surprise arrival of the Blue Shark. The sleek animal made its way around the open water tank, negotiating the long, narrow and crowded space. It was more beautiful than the other sharks in the tank, with gorgeous shiny blue skin on top and pure white skin underneath. The first was joined by a second six days later. At the time, they were the only Blue Sharks on display in the country. As an interpreter/naturalist at Underwater World in California (now called the Monterey Bay Aquarium), I had heard rumors that a Blue Shark was to be introduced, but I gave up on those hopes when I was discouraged by others in the husbandry department, some of whom said it was not possible and wouldn't happen. The husbandry staff acquires the fish, and they are the fish doctors. They also clean the tanks and feed the fish. The interpretive/naturalist staff at the aquarium help the visitors appreciates and understands the fish and the exhibit. Sometimes the husbandry staff surprises the naturalists with an introduction into the tanks, which keeps the naturalists excited about going to work each day. A shark in captivity provides an opportunity to work for marine conservation, but there are potential problems as the public may have difficulty seeing animals in captivity. Interpreters at aquariums and zoos have to be prepared to explain the rationale for why an animal is kept in captivity. Questions can come up about how well they are being taken care of, and if they like being in captivity. Interpreting sharks is also controversial because many people are still fearful of sharks due to old misunderstandings. Visitors often ask if we have Great White Sharks at the aquarium and we also need to explain why we don't. Animals serve an important role in zoos and aquariums, but interpreting them can be slippery with a public that has seen both or either movie Born Free or Jaws. I will be your guide for this tale about the Blue Sharks at Underwater World, which will show you how to bypass some of the potential problems of interpreting sharks in captivity in particular, but animals in captivity in general. I will also try to add the perspectives of ecology and aesthetic appreciation which can sometimes be more interesting than the dry facts about fish's ages, ranges, sizes and food preferences. I will also show you how to challenge visitors, as an activity, to look at things from a fish's (a