Great white sharks are some of the most efficient predators not only in the ocean but on the planet. They stalk through ocean waters around the world, inspiring both fear and awe. With the species being cemented into the public imagination for so long, U.S. aquariums have tried to bring them to the people to show what they look like in person, but this has become a complicated issue.
Great White Sharks
Great white sharks are one of the largest predatory fish in the ocean and with their unparalleled hunting ability, they play a vital role in their ecosystem. They are at the top of their food chain and maintain different fish populations from overpopulating.
Trying To Contain Them
With the fascination that people have with great white sharks, means that aquariums have tried to educate the public about them and inspire conservation through real encounters. Unfortunately, this containment doesn’t sit well with the great white sharks. For decades, no aquarium has been able to keep a great white shark, and it became a mystery as to why.
Attempts
The first attempts to contain great white sharks in an enclosure ended in the animals’ health declining rapidly, followed by their perishing. Through research, many leading theories on why great whites can’t be contained have emerged.
Needed Space
Great whites are used to having the entire ocean as their playground. This means that they are not accustomed to being restricted in such small enclosures. They cannot roam and hunt in such small environments, which ultimately leads to their demise.
Dietary Challenges
Great white sharks are picky eaters and they are not willing to compromise their diet. This means that it is difficult to source their natural prey, which are seals and large fish. The animals also refuse to eat any supplementary and artificial food, leading to starvation. Great white sharks’ diet is crucial to their survival.
Solitary Animals
Great white sharks are solitary hunters that do not have to interact with other great whites other than when its mating season. This means that in a confined space in proximity to other animals and people, they can become severely stressed, leading to health risks.
Captivity Related-Illnesses
Captivity takes its toll on great white sharks. Being held in a tank can create chronic stress, which weakens their immune systems and makes illnesses more common. It is too difficult for aquariums to compromise and simulate their natural habitat.
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Monterey Bay Aquarium got the furthest with its great white sharks. They showed off several juveniles for a prolonged time, but eventually, just like many sharks before them, they eventually perished. The habitat that worked the longest was a naturalistic tank that tried to minimize the stress on the animals.
A Matter Of Ethics
It would be incredible for the public to get a good look at great white sharks, which could help in conservation efforts as public opinion shifts. However, there is a matter of ethics to consider. These apex predators need to be in the ocean to be happy and healthy, as we’ve seen when they are kept in captivity.
Other Ways Of Education
While the future of captivity for great white sharks are uncertain, there is no doubt that aquariums will keep on trying despite ethical concerns. There are other ways of educating the public about these amazing animals. Educational documentaries and free conferences are non-invasive ways in which people can learn about great whites, while more hands-on education could come from ocean tours and even cage diving.
The Future Of The Great White
Great white sharks have been largely unchanged for millions of years, but despite being the kings of their ecosystem, they are marked as a vulnerable species due to being hunted for their fins and as trophies and climate change. Through conservation, their numbers could have a chance to recover.
The Best Approach
Right now, admiring great white sharks from the safety of your home or on ocean tours is the most ethical and sustainable way of seeing them and learning more about them. We should prioritize their wellbeing above all else, even if many dream of seeing them in an aquarium.
