NEW: Another Great White at Monterey Bay Aquarium

[Anonymous]

Welcome, White Shark
Sept. 1
A white shark from Southern California arrived at the aquarium Thursday evening, Aug. 31, and already seems to be settling in just fine. In fact, so far it looks like the young male will do well in our million-gallon Outer Bay exhibit. Of course, we don’t know how long he’ll fit in and play nicely with others. After all, at 5 feet 8 inches long and 104 pounds, he has a pretty big head start on the first white shark to swim in our waters—a young female only 5 feet long and 62 pounds when she arrived (two years ago to the month). She ended up staying for a record 198 days—growing more than a foot and a half and gaining 100 pounds. Then she heard the irresistible call of the wild—and answered it successfully.

The new shark was caught in Santa Monica Bay Aug. 17 and held in a 4-million-gallon pen off Malibu for two weeks, while husbandry staff kept a close eye on him. Because he was doing so well—eating and swimming strongly—they decided to bring him to Monterey. He traveled north in a 3,000-gallon mobile life support transport vehicle, and our staff veterinarian, Dr. Mike Murray, checked him hourly to make sure he was handling the trip well.

http://www.mbayaq.org/news/

 

[Anonymous]

Bad bad bad idea. I don't know why on Earth the MBA would do this again.

 

[Anonymous]

Yeah, I am beginning to question their motives. The last shark was accidentally caught in fishermans' nets. This one was caught my the MBA specifically for the purpose of being put on display.

Either way, who wouldn't want to see a great white? I MIGHT be able to go on Monday. I'll be sure to post pics, if I do. 8)

 

[AstroCreep]

last time they had the other great white i saw him there...pretty sweet but dont know why there doing it again? seemed like they should have learned from the last one

 

[Anonymous]

The thing is, sharks are a huge draw for the public, so they're probably feeling the pressure on the business end of things to bolster their shark exhibits.

 

[dnorton1978]

What happened to the last one?

 

[Anonymous]

The last one was released, according to the MBA, because it was beginning to prey on its tankmates. I believe it killed two other smaller sharks. I don't see how they plan on avoiding this inevitable fate for any GW shark, unless they remove any smaller fish from the tank.

There was also a lot of evidence that the shark was continually injuring itself by crashing into the tank walls. Again, I don't see how this fate can be avoided for any GW shark, especially a larger one.

A great thread discussing both sides of this can be found here:
http://www.underwatertimes.com/forum/vi ... .php?t=266

I understand and wholly support the greater mission the MBA is trying to accomplish but I just don't understand why they would do this again.

 

[Anonymous]

...A great thread discussing both sides of this can be found here:
http://www.underwatertimes.com/forum/vi ... .php?t=266

I understand and wholly support the greater mission the MBA is trying to accomplish but I just don't understand why they would do this again.

Wow, talk about heated debate :lol:. That thread makes the Sump look tame, well not quite. Interesting read Matt, and there is a new thread posted up about the new exhibit.

I can't help but agree with most of the posters, how can MBA try again and expect anyone to believe it's "for the research" and not..how did that one poster put it? For the $$ChaChing$$ money they will get in from increased attendance.

 

[Anonymous]

I want a GWS for my 300G.

Louey

 

[Meloco14]

I want a GWS for my 300G.

Louey

Too late. You put the sohal in there already. It will kill the GWS.

 

[Meloco14]

Bad bad bad idea. I don't know why on Earth the MBA would do this again.

I completely agree with you and couldn't believe it when I heard about this. The justification that I read on another forum was that the previous shark single handedly promoted shark conservation more than anything else ever has (made more money for MBA than anything else has :? ). I really don't believe they can keep a GWS healthy in captivity long term. But, it is only one shark, and it will promote conservation and raise awareness in the generally unknowing public, so that's a good thing. There are many more marine animals being killed unnecessarily by other means every day. So, after thinking about it, I think it is acceptable for this one aquarium to bring in a second shark to expose millions of people to marine conservation issues. That's what I'm telling myself, anyway. I hope they are more successful than last time.

 

[Meloco14]

FWIW I was lucky enough to see a couple white sharks at Guadeloupe Island a couple weeks ago. They are absolutely amazing. I have seen many different species of shark but none of them are as impressive as the white sharks. They are powerful and graceful, really hard to describe other than incredible. The chance for the common person to get to see one of these amazing animals in person is really a great opportunity. Is it worth keeping one in inadequate conditions? Probably not, but MBA knows what they are doing and will hopefully be much more successful this time around. Time will tell.

 

[Anonymous]

They killed one earlier this year in transit to the aquarium, fwiw. :?

 

[jerseydiablo]

just watched the special tonight about that 1st shark on 13HD

 

[Meloco14]

They killed one earlier this year in transit to the aquarium, fwiw. :?

Didn't hear about that, unfortunately it doesn't surprise me. Certain species just cannot be sufficiently kept in captivity, like most large pelagics. Won't stop people from trying though :?

 

[stubbsz]

They've had a fair sized pelagic white tip in the tank for as long as I can remember them having that exhibit. Not quiet the draw of the GW of course

 

[sslarison]

Im all for it. With more people seeing and learning about the GWS they will be much more conservation minded or at least give it a second thought. I cant see how catching, studying and releasing the shark is bad. Maybe I'm missing somthing.

BTW, The pics in the other thread look photoshoped to me.

 

[Anonymous]

Im all for it. With more people seeing and learning about the GWS they will be much more conservation minded or at least give it a second thought. I cant see how catching, studying and releasing the shark is bad. Maybe I'm missing somthing.

It endangers the health of the shark. This is an endangered animal with a very small population. It has killed a few in the past, one recently. Captivity and transport are bad for them, period.

BTW, The pics in the other thread look photoshoped to me.

I'd think the aquarium representative would have pointed this out if they were.

 

[Anonymous]

Im all for it. With more people seeing and learning about the GWS they will be much more conservation minded or at least give it a second thought. I cant see how catching, studying and releasing the shark is bad. Maybe I'm missing somthing.

It endangers the health of the shark. This is an endangered animal with a very small population. It has killed a few in the past, one recently. Captivity and transport are bad for them, period.

BTW, The pics in the other thread look photoshoped to me.

I'd think the aquarium representative would have pointed this out if they were.

I thought that too, the fact that he never said those injuries didn't occur, only that they were "stable" and being treated :?

 

[sslarison]

It endangers the health of the shark. This is an endangered animal with a very small population. It has killed a few in the past, one recently. Captivity and transport are bad for them, period.

Lets say that is true. The question to me becomes is the trade off worth it? Is potentially endangering one animal acceptable if it is going to benefit the entire species? The fact that this raises awareness and creates discussion like it has tells me that it is. Having thousands of children coming through every day seeing that it is not a man eating monster is good for the species. Thats what it is all about.

It would be idiotic to think that the aquarium didnt have publicity in mind when pursuing this but so what. Every animal they have is there to get people to come and see the aquarium. We all know that every animal in the aquarium would be better off in the wild; however with research like this maybe the GWS will be common in public aquariums in the future.

IMO, As long as they make every effort to care for the animal and educate the public Im still fine with it. I think doing nothing and letting them slowly vanish from the oceans is a bigger crime.