Monterey has a BIG Surprise
Esther Goshorn, Staff Reporter

Monterey is not only known for its beauty, but also for being “the only place where a great white shark is on display,” according to Cesar Guillen, an employee at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Whether people either feel intrigued or appalled about this, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is currently hosting their third great white shark exhibit.

The male shark was captured in a sea bass net off the coast of Ventura on Aug. 4. Monterey Bay Aquarium is “the only aquarium that can manage a great white in captivity,” said Guillen.

Protecting these specimens of the ocean has been a constant struggle worldwide. From South America to Australia, laws have been made to protect great white sharks from man. South America passed legislation that outlaws illegal fishing and selling of great whites. Australia’s government defends these creatures in their natural bodies of water. Furthermore, California passed a bill in 1997, which protects great whites from any contact with man. This bill only allows people to catch great white sharks if they have an educational permit.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium believes great white sharks need to be protected and to do this the Aquarium initiated a “White shark Research Project” in 2002. According to Monterey Bay Aquarium’s press release the project has two main goals,

“First, to better understand the biology of these threatened ocean predators through electronic tagging, and; second, to determine, systematically, whether it was possible for us to keep and exhibit a young white shark.”

Having this shark at the aquarium brings an extra bit of life to work for the employees. “I love it. This is an inspiration to work at the aquarium. I majored in marine biology at University California Santa Cruz.” said Casey Garcia.

To further this notion, the aquarium has a great white on display every summer. “Having a great white shark on display is like having an ambassador for the species,” said Guillen.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium fully agrees with Guillen. “Our mission is to inspire conservation of the oceans. We know that bringing people face-to-face with living marine animals is a powerful way to move people, to care about the oceans and oceans life,” stated the Monterey Bay Aquarium press release.

By having the great white shark on display the Aquarium desires to help alter the public’s view of great white sharks.

“We believe there’s no better way for us to raise awareness about the threats white sharks face than to let people see for themselves what magnificent and fascinating animals they are,” says the Aquarium’s press release, “They tell the story of the threats they face in the wild, and offer ways to take action that will protect white sharks.”

Manny Ezcurra, an associate curator for the aquarium, described how one can remain safe in the water. “There is always a risk when you enter the water, although, there is more danger out in the world. Always use the buddy system. Never go out in the ocean alone,” Ezcurra said. “Sharks go for targets that are isolated from groups. Always remain in tight groups for the other people can stop the bleeding and call for help.”

Gullien’s personal response to the Marina shark attack was surprise. “A lot of times surfers on boards look like a seal, and looks like the shark’s lunch,” added Gullien. “Fortunately he wasn’t killed. It was animal instinct.”

For more information about the great white shark and the Monterey Bay Aquarium go to this website at: http://www.mbayaq.org/