Newport Aquarium’s Shark Summer encourages us to view sharks with wonder, not terror

Since the release of Jaws in 1975, many Americans have perceived sharks as dangerous killing machines. Today, shows like Discovery’s Shark Week, and massive blockbusters like The Meg can portray sharks as characteristically unfriendly animals, determined to lurk and bite unsuspecting swimmers.  

The Newport Aquarium hopes to take a little bit of the mystery out of the animal with its Shark Summer events. Shark Summer is an all-summer event designed to educate visitors and experience sharks face to face.  

“Everyone has seen great white sharks featured on Shark Week, but there are so many different kinds of sharks. They are fascinating creatures that play an important role in keeping our ocean ecosystems healthy and in balance,” says Brady.  

Through September 10, visitors to Newport Aquarium can touch a megalodon shark tooth that’s millions of years of old. There’s also a Shark Nursery with several types of shark eggs, as well as Shark Bridge, where visitors can walk a bridge suspended just a few inches about a tank of sharks. 

The Newport Aquarium is especially concerned with sharks’ role in maintaining sustainable habitats for ocean creatures.  

“Sharks are a keystone species, meaning other species in an ecosystem largely depend on them,” says Brady. “Most sharks scavenge and prey on sick, dying and injured fishes and other animals, thus helping to promote the health of various fish populations.”  

“They also act as a natural population control,” Brady continued. “If sharks were to disappear from our oceans, fish populations would skyrocket, but then decline from disease.  

But Newport Aquarium is also hoping to reverse sharks’ unpleasant narrative.  

“Sharks actually have more fear from humans than we do of them,” says Brady. “The truth is that you’re more likely to be struck by lightning than bitten by a shark!”