Many people see sharks only as fearsome predators. In fact, sharks play an important role in the ocean ecosystem. They keep other fish populations in check.
But shark populations are in trouble. Humans kill about 100 million sharks each year. (By comparison, there are about 10 shark attacks on humans each year.) This threatens the survival of many shark species. The New York Aquarium developed its new exhibit to explain these issues, so people can better understand sharks and their importance.
At Ocean Wonders, sharks create an impressive sight at the entrance. Visitors come through a tunnel as sharks and other fish swim beside and above them in a 120,000-gallon tank. Interactive displays explain sharks’ teeth, development, and senses. Videos show how aquarium scientists track sharks in the wild.
Then comes the big reveal: a replica of part of a canyon off the coast of New York that’s built into a tank. It’s the size of an Olympic pool. “Hundreds of animals are swimming in front of you,” says Dohlin. “It’s pretty powerful,” he says.
Dohlin loves watching visitors experience the exhibit, especially kids. “Aquariums are really interesting places,” he says. “They allow people to see something they would never see otherwise.”