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Monterey Bay Aquarium Great White Shark Exhibit

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Great White Sharks in Captivity

The Monterey Bay Aquarium Great White Shark exhibit allows the public to take a close look at this magical creature in captivity and become inspired to protect its relatives out in the open ocean. The Monterey Bay Aquarium staff has plenty of experience working with Great White Sharks in captivity and do their best to make sure the shark is both healthy and comfortable. Some may say it isn't right to keep a Great White shark in captivity, but at the same time, the exhibit does inspire people to care for this species which is in crucial need of public awareness, education, and most importantly support.

The sharks are only kept for a few months and are successfully released back into the ocean when they reach a certain size. Scientists tag and track the sharks upon release to learn more about this species in the wild. The more we learn, the more we can do to protect these sharks. Join the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Newsletter to receive opportunities for you to take action and help protect and conserve our oceans.

Monterey Bay Aquarium Great White Shark

September 2011

Watch this amazing creature swim through the Outer Bay Exhibit at Monterey Bay Aquarium. Sharks unfortunately have a bad reputation and are often misunderstood. If sharks were monsters then why isn't he attacking the other animals in the exhibit? Now you can see white sharks for what they really are: beautiful creatures of the oceans who just happen to also be the top predators of their food chain. As long as he is fed he pays no attention to the other animals and peacefully exists with them.

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Inspiring The Public To Conserve Sharks

Great White Ambassadors

Great White shark captivityThe only images that the general public gets to see about Great White sharks are often negative. For example, shark attacks in the news or movies like "Jaws" create a negative and harmful image of these beautiful animals. Having a Great White shark in captivity and put on display at the Monterey Bay Aquarium allows the public to get a close look and be able to see who these creatures really are. They aren't the bloodthirsty monsters that you see in the movies. In fact, if you ever got the chance to see one of these sharks on display in Monterey then you know that they are in a tank with a bunch of other fish and even sea turles, but as long as the sharks are fed they pay no attention to the other animals in the exhibit that would make a tasty meal for the shark if the shark was really the monster of the stories you hear.

Sharks are misunderstood due to false and negative images portrayed by the media that often thrives off of getting a reaction out of you whether they have to scare you or use other emotions to get your attention. Sharks are not the monsters that the media makes them appear to be! Great White sharks are actually very smart and will not rush blindly into an attack. The only problem is that surfers sometimes look similar to the shark's prey when seen from below. Another problem is if the shark isn't sure about a human in the water and wants to test out the situation; for humans we can use our hands to pick up an object and examine it, but for a shark, all they have is their teeth and unfortunately a small "examination" can sometimes lead to a serious injury for a human.

These misunderstandings are why it is so important for these shark ambassadors to inspire the public and show everybody who they really are. Great White sharks are NOT monsters, in fact, they are beautiful creatures of the ocean that deserve the right to be protected and allowed to thrive in their natural habitat.

"The most powerful emissary for ocean conservation in our history."

-Julie Packard
Executive Director

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Catching a Great White Shark

Catching Great White Shark Monterey BayThe process of Monterey Bay Aquarium staff catching a Great White shark isn't like something you would see in "Jaws." These Great White sharks caught by aquarium staff are juveniles, NOT full grown and massive 20 foot long and 2,000 lbs sharks! They are captured in a safe manner by very experienced professionals that do everything they can to make sure the animal is protected against harm.

Sharks are sometimes caught as by-catch in fishermen nets out in the ocean. "By-catch" means an animal is accidentally caught in a net that was put in place to catch a different animal. For example, if a fisherman puts out a net to catch sea bass but accidentally catches a shark in its net then the shark is considered "by-catch." There have been a few times when fishermen have accidentally caught young Great White sharks in their nets and contact the Monterey Bay Aquarium to come pick up the animal to put on display.

From The Pacific Ocean To The Monterey Bay Aquarium

The Great White Road Trip

Watch the process of bringing a Great White shark from the ocean and transporting it to the Monterey Bay Aquarium where he goes on live exhibit. Keep in mind that these are expert scientists with years of experience involving sharks. The shark is under constant surveillance and is being cared for at all times.
August 2009: Our New Great White Shark Arrives
by MontereyBayAquarium | video info

68 ratings | 40,334 views
curated content from YouTube

Before Going on Exhibit

Ocean Holding Pen Observation

Great White shark ocean holding penThe Great White sharks do not immediately go straight onto exhibit in the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Before going on exhibit, trained professionals observe the shark in an ocean holding pen to verify that the shark is healthy. The aquarium cares more about the well-being of the animal and would not put a shark on exhibit if they felt it would cause negative effects on the shark.

In the ocean holding pen, scientists make sure the shark is exhibiting healthy behavior and most importantly whether or not the shark is eating. If the shark is swimming well and eating healthy then the aquarium staff will decide if the animal would be able to handle being transported to the aquarium. If so, then the shark is brought to the Monterey Bay Aquarium Outer Bay exhibit where he/she can inspire hundreds of thousands of people and draw the attention that these animals need in order to receive the protection necessary to conserve these magnificent animals in our oceans.

Great White Shark in Captivity

Monterey Bay Aquarium Outer Bay Exhibit

Great White shark exhibit Monterey AquariumGreat White sharks in captivity at Monterey Bay Aquarium are housed in the 1,000,000 gallon Outer Bay exhibit (one million gallons!). They are under the constant surveillance of trained professionals in order to make sure the animals are healthy which is often indicated by swimming well, eating well, and other evidential behavior. When a Great White goes on exhibit they are housed with many other large fish, but as long as the shark is fed it will pay no attention to the other animals. The sharks seems much more peaceful than you would expect given its often negative reputation. These are beautiful creatures, not monsters!

Out of the 6 Great Whites that have been in captivity at Monterey Bay Aquarium, the average length of stay is about 2-4 months with the longest on record being 198 days!

Sharks on exhibit will

inspire the public to support the protection and conservation of these animals in the wild.

Great White Shark Feeding Time

at Monterey Bay Aquarium

The Great White shark in Monterey Bay Aquarium's Outer Bay Exhibit gets fed!
Great White Shark: Feeding at Supper Time
by MontereyBayAquarium | video info

32 ratings | 35,594 views
curated content from YouTube

Tagging Great White Sharks

Why do scientists tag sharks?

Tagging Great White sharks Monterey BayTagging Great White sharks with minimally invasive tracking devices allows scientists to collect data about these animals that they otherwise would never be able to acquire. For example, a small computer chip can collect data about what temperature of water a shark favors or how deep of water they prefer. Scientists can track where the sharks spend most of their time during the different seasons in order to gain more insight as to how we can protect and conserve these amazing animals.

Each Great White shark released into the ocean from the Monterey Bay Aquarium is comfortably fitted with a tag and tracking device that will record vital information following its release. The device is programmed to detach itself from the shark at a date specified by the scientists. Once the device pops off it will float to the surface and transmit its recorded data via satellite to the scientists. If the actual physical device is recovered from the ocean then they can acquire additional information as well. This information will allow scientists to learn as much about white sharks as possible and in return this will help the sharks receive the public awareness and support that they need in order to continue to thrive in their natural ocean habitat.

Releasing A Great White Shark Back Into The Wild

Great White shark release from captivity Monterey BayEvery white shark that has been put on exhibit at Monterey Bay Aquarium has been successfully released back into the wild. Before their release, each white shark is fitted with a tracking tag (see above) that will allow scientists to record the path of the shark once returned to the ocean. This vital information helps the experts know where the sharks like to go, what depths and temperatures they prefer, etc. The more we know, the more we can do to help. As you can see in each of the great white shark profiles below, many of the sharks swam down to Mexico (sometimes thousands of miles) after their release into the wild.

Captive Great White Shark Statistics

The Great White Shark that went on exhibit in August 2011 was the sixth white shark to be displayed to the public at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. As of this event in August 2011, The Monterey Bay Aquarium is the only aquarium in the world to keep a white shark on exhibit for more than 16 days! Lets take a look at the facts and statistics of Great White sharks that have stayed at the Monterey Aquarium:

  • 1Great White Shark #1
    August 2004

    Beginning Size: 5 feet

    Time on Exhibit: 198 days (longest on record)

    Released To The Wild: This shark was successfully released back into the wild after growing an additional 1 foot and 4 inches longer and gaining an additional 100 lbs over its 6 month stay at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. She was fitted with a tag that collected information about her after her release into the wild. From that information, scientists were able to determine that during the first 30 days following her release, she traveled more than 100 miles offshore and dove to depths of 800 feet. Her tag popped off near Santa Barbara.
  • 2Great White Shark #2
    August 2006

    Beginning Size: 5 feet, 8 inches and 103 lbs

    Time on Exhibit: 137 days

    Released To The Wild: The second Great White shark in captivity at the aquarium was successfully released back into the wild after growing to a length of 6'5" and 171 lbs. His tracking tag recorded his trip to the southern tip of Mexico that saw him travel over 2,000 miles and dive to depths of 1,000 feet!
  • 3Great White Shark #3
    August 2007

    Beginning Size: 4 feet, 9 inches

    Time on Exhibit: 162 days

    Released To The Wild: White shark #3 was released into the wild after growing an additional 1 foot in length and gaining over 70 lbs in captivity in the Outer Bay Exhibit. This shark traveled to Mexico along with tracking tags that were able to record the water depths and temperatures in which he favored the most; this information helps scientists learn more about Great White sharks.
  • 4Great White Shark #4
    August 2008

    Time on Exhibit: 11 days

    Released To The Wild: There is limited information about this white shark due to her quick release back into the wild. Aquarium staff noticed that she was swimming very well, however, she only fed one time during her stay. Under these circumstances, Monterey Bay Aquarium staff members decided that it would be best if they returned her to her natural habitat in the open ocean. "These decisions are always governed by our concern for the health and well-being of these animals under our care," said Jon Hoech, director of husbandry for the Aquarium. "It became clear that it was time to release her." The tag on this white shark indicated that she remained close to the Channel Islands where she was released, and scientists believed she was doing very well back in the ocean.
  • 5Great White Shark #5
    August 2009

    Beginning Size: 5 feet, 3 inches

    Time on Exhibit: 70 days

    Released To The Wild: After her successful release into the open ocean, the fifth Great White shark of the Monterey Bay Aquarium traveled over 500 miles to Baja California and was doing very well. Unfortunately, a few months after her release, some fishermen accidentally caught her in their nets where she died. She was the only white shark that is known to have died after release to the ocean. Her death was NOT the result of her captivity at the aquarium; they were two very separate events. She was doing very well after aquarium staff released her, but unfortunately fishermen sometimes accidentally kill unintended animals after they get stuck in their nets as by-catch and she happened to be an unlikely victim of this tragic event.
  • 6Great White Shark #6
    August 2011

    Beginning Size: 4 feet, 7 inches and 43 lbs

    Time on Exhibit: 2 months.

    Released To The Wild: Released about 2 miles offshore in Santa Barbara, CA on October 25, 2011.

Shark Week on Discovery Channel

Learn more about sharks!

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Monterey Bay Aquarium Great White Shark Research

What are they doing to save Great White sharks?

Great White Shark InfoIn order to save white sharks we must learn everything we can about them. Scientists with the Monterey Bay Aquarium are taking part in many research projects aimed at conserving these animals:

Adult Great White Shark Research: By studying white shark populations, movement, and foraging patterns (how and where they search for food) scientists hope to protect these sharks from overfishing and by catch. For example, if scientists were to discover that a particular area in the ocean has a very high density of white sharks at a specific time of the year then they may be able to get a law passed that would prohibit certain types of fishing in those areas at those specific times.

Juvenile Great White Shark Research: Unfortunately, young white sharks are caught as by catch in fisheries off the coast of California and Mexico. Scientists still don't know where the white sharks are born or who the parents are. If scientists can learn more about white shark breeding and the lifestyle habits of the new born white sharks then we can do more to protect them. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is studying juvenile white shark movement, diet, populations, and other factors that will share more insight into the life of a baby Great White shark.

Great White Shark Genetics: The goal of the Aquarium's white shark genetic researc project is to compare California coastal white sharks with the Great White sharks of other regions such as South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand in order to discover how closely related the animals are between the different regions. Do the sharks stay in there "home regions" or are California white sharks interbreeding with the white sharks of South Africa? These questions are being examined, and hopefully answered.

Make a Difference!

Remember, you really can make a difference. Join Monterey Bay Aquarium's electronic newsletter to receive opportunities for you to take action and support the protection and conservation of the ocean.

Support The Ocean

What do you think about Great White shark exhibits?

Have you seen a Great White Shark at Monterey Bay Aquarium?

  • WorldVisionary Oct 11, 2011 @ 1:01 pm | delete
    What a fantastic lens! Lots of information and resources here. I've given you a thumbs up and a Great White Angel blessing! :)
  • Pukeko Oct 9, 2011 @ 10:52 pm | delete
    Fantastic. I have been there years ago. Blessed by an angel on a travel quest. :)
  • cffutah Oct 6, 2011 @ 7:26 pm | delete
    great reading, good photos, terrific video watching! Like your lens so much I gave you a 'thumbs up'!
  • 23squidoo Oct 5, 2011 @ 6:00 pm | delete
    I love this aquarium and especially this exhibit. Thank you for bringing this information to Squidoo! Angel Blessed!
  • elyria Oct 2, 2011 @ 1:42 pm | delete
    I visited the great white shark exhibit in Monterey Bay Aquarium - absolutely mesmerizing experience!
  • KimGiancaterino Sep 26, 2011 @ 8:50 pm | delete
    I love the Monterey Bay Aquarium and hope to see the shark exhibit one day. You did a great job on this lens!
  • GypsyPirate Sep 24, 2011 @ 10:47 pm | delete
    I think I wish I could go see them. Now!!! Thanks for giving me a look inside, since I live across the country from this aquarium, it will likely take me a while to get there. But I loved my virtual visit.
  • nancycarol Sep 21, 2011 @ 9:38 pm | delete
    Yes, I've been to Monterey Bay Aquarium a number of times. I think we (human beings) are killing everything on earth, including these beautiful big guys. It makes me sick to think of how fishermen will pull a shark out of the ocean, cut off his fins, and throw him, helpless, back into the water to die. But then it makes me sick that we are rounding up our wild horses with helicopters and slaughtering them too. Where does it all end? Thanks for sharing your knowledge on the Great White Shark.
  • troyreed23 Sep 21, 2011 @ 6:44 am | delete
    I've always been fascinated by the Great White Shark. I hope to visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium
  • Staceysk Sep 20, 2011 @ 3:37 pm | delete
    Great info and videos. Wish I lived closer.
  • pacrapacma Sep 9, 2011 @ 11:41 pm | delete
    Sharks are amazing. I have not seen a great white in an exhibit. I saw some pretty cool sharks in a Denver aquarium last summer. Nice lens.
  • Tipi Sep 8, 2011 @ 6:17 pm | delete
    You just really did your homework here and came up with such an interesting article on the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Great White Shark, very nicely done!
  • joeldgreat Sep 7, 2011 @ 7:30 pm | delete
    the great whites fascinated me all the time.
  • Duane_Jackson Sep 7, 2011 @ 2:45 pm | delete
    Nicely done!
  • J-Stanley Sep 6, 2011 @ 8:15 pm | delete
    I can't wait to check out the shark exhibit for myself!
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A Great White Shark in captivity? Watch a great white shark on display in the Monterey Bay Aquarium Outer Bay Exhibit.

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