The shark exhibits at The Florida Aquarium resonate particularly strongly with children, students and educators. Sharks are an iconic “gateway” species: capturing curiosity, triggering questions, and opening up broader conversations about marine science, conservation, ecology, and responsible human-ocean relationships. By hosting school visi

By hosting shark exhibits, The Florida Aquarium creates a bridge between the captive environment and the wild coastal ecosystems of Florida. Tampa Bay and the wider Gulf coast region serve as nurseries for many shark species; mangroves, estuaries and shallow bays support juvenile sharks, while mature sharks may migrate to open waters. The Aquarium

Several notable milestones mark the progress of the shark programme at The Florida Aquarium: 1995: Opening of the facility in Tampa, establishing the base for shark habitats  2003: Launch of the “Dive with the Sharks” programme.   2011: Addition of large sand tiger sharks into the 500,000-gallon “Coral Reef” exhibit.  2023:

Beyond visitor engagement, The Florida Aquarium uses its shark exhibits and infrastructure as platforms for conservation research, rescue and rehabilitation, and partnership programmes. While many of the Aquarium’s headline programmes focus on coral, sea turtles and reef systems, the shark component also contributes to broader efforts: monitoring