Sad News: Death of a Great White Shark

We're saddened to announce that the young great white shark we released on October 25 off the coast of southern California has died. This is a very difficult day for all of us at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and for everyone who saw and cared about this animal.

Based on the shark’s behavior and overall condition prior to release, our white shark team had every confidence that he would do well back in the wild -- as was the case with five other young great whites released from the aquarium.

Unfortunately, according to data from the tracking tag he carried, the shark died shortly after he was released.

"Our Husbandry team  is unrivaled in its knowledge of young great white sharks, and I’m so proud of the passion and dedication they demonstrate each day," said aquarium Managing Director Jim Hekkers. "This is a difficult time for all of us –- and especially for the team members who devoted so much attention and care to an animal that had such a powerful impact on the attitudes of our visitors toward conservation of ocean wildlife."

While this is a setback, in the weeks to come, our white shark team will review its procedures and protocols to see if  there are any changes we should consider so we can continue to do what we do best: give our animals exceptional care and, through our living exhibits, inspire visitors from around the world to care about –- and care for -– ocean wildlife.

Right now, while we are shocked and saddened by this loss of this shark, we remain fully committed to our white shark work.

Five other great white sharks have been successfully returned to the wild after spending periods between 11 days and six-and-a-half months at the aquarium. One other animal –- a small shark that fed only once during its 11 days on exhibit –- was also transported south to Goleta for release. Four other sharks were released in Monterey Bay.

Tracking data from all five sharks confirmed they survived their release, though one of the sharks died four months later in a fisherman’s net in Baja California.

Exhibit of young great white sharks is one element of Project White Shark, our work with research colleagues to learn more about white sharks in the wild as well as to inspire visitors to become advocates for shark conservation by bringing them face to face with sharks on exhibit.

Since 2002, we've tagged and tracked 47 juvenile great white sharks off southern California. Earlier this year, we were the lead sponsor of legislation enacted in California that outlaws the shark fin trade –- a major factor in the global decline of shark populations.

In the past decade, we've allocated nearly $2 million toward studies of adult and juvenile great white sharks in the wild –- research aimed at better understanding and protecting white shark populations.

Comments

[mark nicks]

thanks for your prompt response Ken, just demonstrates that you care. Jan. two years ago I was on the Albion River and an otter released by fish and wildlife was swimming by, and I was horrified. It had a frisbee sized beacon implanted in its stomach, and numerous tags on its appendages.A mammal turned into a pinata( I took pictures) then i read the nature news article and , because we are bound by the Keely legislation to err on the side of the marine life, felt this tagging should cease until proven it doesnt affect reproduction or general health. Hope you take the time to read Daniel Cressys article

[Ken Peterson]

@Mark -- Thanks for your comments and questions.

All of the aquarium's research-related activities are reviewed by an oversight committee that includes a member of the public who has no formal or informal connections to the aquarium.

They are also reviewed by an animal welfare committee, with different individuals and a different outside public member.

Our sea otter research is reviewed by yet a third committee, again with a public member; whose activities are reviewed and monitored by the US Dept. of Agriculture.

Regarding out seawater going back to Monterey Bay, it's all water that was piped in hours earlier and circulated through our exhibits to sustain 35,000 sea creatures: from giant kelp and strawberry anemones, to sharks, shorebirds and sardines.

It is virtually as clean when it returns to the ocean as it was when it came into the aquarium hours earlier -- as verified by regular and rigorous water quality testing.

Aside from rain runoff, all of our freshwater waste goes into municipal sewer lines for treatment -- including the water we use to hose down our awnings and sidewalks, which we divert before it makes it into storm drains and flows into the bay.

[mark nicks]

Nature News feb 14 issue brings to light the detrimental effects of tagging penquins has on the reproduction of the species. Does the aquarium review their tagging programs on sharks or sea otters?The granting of permission for dumping the waters utilized by the aquarium(an open water system) into the bay may be a victory for the aquarium business, but it is not a victory for the environment. Aquaculture systems in the past have had detrimental effects on their local environments, with lasting repercussions. The environment comes first, not the economic viability of an aquarium. Well meaning people doing the wrong thing for the right reason are not accomplishing a healthy ocean environment.

[Lauren]

Ken, I am very sad to hear this! There have been many comments on this post about the ethics of displaying creatures at the aquarium, and quite often I agree--many other aquariums and zoos make me uneasy. However, I have never felt this way about the MBA, and am always so impressed by the research and care taken in the exhibits. I was inspired by organizations such as the Monterey Bay Aquarium to go into my field of work (ocean robotics), and the MBA exposed me to the amazing ocean and its creatures. I'm not sure that I would have developed this passion for conservation and exploration otherwise. I just wanted to say thank you for what you do, and I am so sorry for your loss.

[Jo Allen]

It is very sad news... A sign of the difficult times we are living in I suppose. The sharks of our waters are being butchered at an alarming rate. I appreciate the good work you do at Monterey Bay Aquarium helping with marine conservation.

[Heather]

You should feel shame as well as sadness. @ Portia said it best.

[alex milutin]

I am sad regarding the sudden death of this animal so soon after its release. I don't blame the aquarium or its employees. We must learn and move on.

[Eileen Rothschild]

I feel sad the white shark didn't survive in the wild, and I understand how difficult the loss is for your wonderful, caring staff. I was wondering if it's possible this shark was a victim of a shark fin poacher. At any rate, I hope not, and I am so glad MBA led the way for the anti-Shark fin legislation. Congrats on that major achievemt and the immense, successful educational effort behind it.

[Alix]

I'm saddened to hear this. I visited the Aquarium in September, and this shark was my first experience seeing a live Great White. He and the baby sea otter were highlights of my visit. I have the utmost confidence that the Aquarium prioritizes the health and well-being of their animals and its very possible that his death had nothing to do with his stay at the MBA. I wish the Aquarium the best of luck in its endeavors to research and protect marine life.

[Jennifer Bender]

Like a few other posters I am also generally against aquariums. However, I feel that MBA does more good than bad and that their work is important. We shouldn't lump places like MBA into the same category as Sea World. Research these organizations before forming opinions!

[Jim Serpa]

Very sad news indeed. I do appreciate your honesty and forthrightness in getting the information out there. I support your project and research and hope you determine what went wrong with this individual so that we can all learn from it and hopefully not repeat the outcome.

[donna davis]

Thank you so much for your honesty and your determination to find the cause of the shark's death. I, too, am saddened by the death and hope the aquarium will study and learn why this particular shark was unable to survive in the wild. Thanks again for keeping us informed.

[Teresa Costine]

I never liked sharks. I always joked that it would be ok with me if they all disappeared. Then my precious little boy started watching Shark Week. From his first Shark Week at 18 months old, he was hooked. He is a very strong shark advocate. He is 7 now. His dream is to grow up and be an "Animal Police officer" so he can get all the "evil" people who hurt sharks and other marine life. Some of the comments on here are very poorly written. It clearly shows a lack of education. The mere fact that one cannot tell a fish from a mammal is a good start. Sure, we are against animals being kept in captivity. But a short term exhibit is not the same as an animal that is kept in a circus or a zoo. Those animal are often abused and kept in less than ideal habitats until they die an untimely death. As for me, chalk me up to a converted shark fan. Not going so far as to say Shark lover mind you. I will stay out of their habitats if they stay out of mine!

[Patric Douglas]

The folks with the Monterey Bay Aquarium white shark program are perhaps the best shark team in the industry.

Their track record speaks volumes about their work. The loss of this one animal while unfortunate is something I am sure they will learn from and surmount.

For me and this program was all about a young 5 year old who had her nosed pressed against the glass of the Outer Exhibit absolutely entranced with the first white shark they had on exhibit a few years ago.

These encounters and the thousands of positive white shark interactions especially with the very young help these animals with the next generation of lawmakers and animal welfare folks.

It's starts with one shark, the ambassador of it's kind.

What the Monterey shark team have done for this cross species interaction has rewritten the book on so many levels.

I am and remain a fan of the program, and like most deeply regret the loss of this one animal.

Let's learn from and move on to better things.

Cheers,
Patric Douglas CEO
www.sharkdiver.com
www.sharkdivers.com

[Natalie]

Project White Shark has been my point of interest most at MBA. I was just there on Oct 16th and was able to see this White shark. I am saddened at this loss for MBA, but hope they will be able to find out what happened to him. I was able to participate in the Feeding Frenzy program where I and other people helped prepare food for different exhibits and we were able to see first hand; the care and commitment the MBA staff have for every animal in their care. Thank you for the work you do.

[Ken Peterson]

Thank you again for your many comments and expressions of concern. To address some specific questions/comments:

@Dale - Yes we do know where the shark's body came to rest, but it is in water too deep to risk sending divers in hopes of recovering the shark. And, after several days, ocean scavengers will have left little to analyze.

@Portia -- The approach we've taken with exhibiting great white sharks has always been to move slowly before bringing one to Monterey; monitoring its health carefully; and returning it to the wild when it "tells us" through its behavior that it's time to go.

This is an approach that gives us the greatest opportunity to inspire visitors -- but not one that has the financial bottom line as the main consideration. I believe that's one reason you haven't seen other aquariums make the same efforts in the decade since we began Project White Shark.

At this point, we've probably invested as much or more in our research efforts with wild sharks as we have earned through an incremental increase in visitors coming to see one of the six sharks we've placed on exhibit.

@Holly -- I respect the fact that you have a philosophical objection to the existence of public aquariums, and question whether we can be an effective as a vehicle for advancing the conservation of marine life. It’s a point on which we’ll have to agree to disagree.

@Jim -- You can find more information on tracking tags and the data they deliver on our Project White Shark web pages (link in the blog) or on the site of our colleagues with the Tagging of Pacific Predators project, www.TOPP.org, who tag a number of Pacific species, from seabirds to elephant seals. We also present some information during daily Project White Shark auditorium programs at the aquarium.

[Teri]

To all the team at the aquarium, Your passion for your work is inspiring and it makes me sad that you have to defend yourselves against those who have probably never been to our beautiful Monterey Bay Aquarium. We've visited aquariums around the world, and the MBA is unrivaled in the field of education and conservation. We are so fortunate to live close by and every time we go we see amazing new exhibits and learn more about how we can protect our oceans. (We don't leave home w/o our sustainable eating list!) I'm saddened for you as I know you all are and as someone before me said, I appreciate your being forthcoming and honest about the loss of this shark. The information that you gathered from him will no doubt help save others. Keep up this work of saving our oceans and its creatures. We will see you soon!

[Cyndee]

It is sad to see when we lose a species in our oceans. I know there are studies being done on tracking the Great Whites that I have seen on Animal Planet and it is very interesting. Thank you for the information.

[grace]

I will share this sad news w/my kids tonight. We were lucky to have visited and photographed him?/her? two days before release day. Thanks for all you do!

[Jim Long]

Thanks for the information. Since I believe it would be of great interest to many, please consider preparing a brief presentation on this blog that instructs us of the evidence that leads you to surmise the demise of the shark using tracking data. Since I'm a little familiar with the various tagging technologies used to track fish and wildlife, and especially sharks (thanks Discovery, NatGeo, Nature, etc.) I imagine that the movement patterns may have become erratic and slowed prior to becoming stationary. This could provide you with a nice teaching opportunity on the specific technology (pop-up sat tags, sonic transmitters/fixed receivers. surface radio tags, etc.) you use in this and other tracking programs. And if you've already done this, please point us towards it. But I think we'd all like to learn about it in the context of this individual shark! Thanks...