We have a Great White

NewSchool,

While I agree with the fact that the aquarium is going to make a lot of money, I do not buy your argument that money is the only motivation for this project. I don't think that's a fair assumption to make.

Also, I see no reason why professionals studying an animal in the name of science should be ashamed of themselves. And this is not just any animal this is a great white shark, one of the most mysterious and intriuging marine animals. Not much is known about them, and hopefully, this can provide some insight into how they live.

As to what secrets this might unfold, well, time will tell, if any at all. The goal of science, however is to gather information about the world that we live in. I'm sorry but as long as the animal is not being harmed, I cannot see how that is wrong.

That being said, if the shark becomes sick or stops accepting food, it should be released back to it's natural environment. This is a world famous aquarium we're talking about and I'm sure they have people who know well enough how to take care of this shark. If they sense a problem, they will act, either by trying to correct it, or releasing the animal.

wonrib00
--Being a marine biology major, I am really excited to see how this plays out. I wish the you and the aquarium the best of luck in this project, hope everything goes smoothly.


andrew
 
newschool4 - then how do YOU propose that we learn more about GWS?? It's very difficult to study GWS in the wild. As they have mentioned numerous times, if they see a decline in the shark's health, they are prepared to release the shark back into the wild. How are we going to learn more about this type of shark without studying them more? Honestly, this type of outrage from someone who keeps aquariums seems a little misplaced.

Spleen
 
NewSchool,
Sharks are being studied for an enourmous number of reasons, from ecological to medical (for humans) to environmental etc....
Studying these animals can help in dealing with them in their own environment, and how they interact and effect our environment in return. Nobody disputes the fact that these are apex predators, however what isnt known about them is significantly more than what IS known about them. Hopefully this will allow the marine science community to learn much much more about these animals.
Yes, there probably will be an increase in MBA visitor traffic, and slightly higher revenues as a result, and there will be bragging rights for a little while. But, if think that these are the only reasons for attempting to keep this shark, your sadly mistaken. I doubt very seriously that MBA is anywhere close breaking even on what they've laid out in expenses for this lil venture. you think your tank is expensive...how about trying to buy the truck mounted tunabego???
Look at it this way....
When people first started keeping corals in an aquarium, very few people were successful. It was incredibly expensive, and alot of folks said they should just be left alone in the wild. Because nobody knew how to do it, and what the animals requirements were. Now we have people growing their own corals in green houses in their own back yard. I can buy corals that have never been in the ocean from either coast to put in my tank here in the midwest! All of this has happened BTW in ther last 15 years, because of people studying, researching, and documenting what they found.
MBA will publish their results, and findings so that other aquariums and scientists can pick up the torch and run with the knowledge so that successful studies can be completed.
So before you go trolling for big response, think a little beyond your own boundries.

:)
Nick
 
honestly newschool04 you should be ashamed at yourself for being completely oblivious to whats going on around you. oceans and reefs are dying, largely in part by our (humans) naive ways. why WOULDN'T you want to know every thing there is to know about any given species, so that in the event of them completly dying out and being wiped from the face of the planet, you couldnt atleast ATTEMPT to introduce more animals of the species into nature. we need to look at the big picture here. and as much as my heart BLEEDS at the thought of us gambling (?) with this young GWS' life, imagine what we will learn from it in order for us to help not only the GWS, but other shark species as well, to multiply, and truly thrive (although it looks like they have everything pretty much mapped out as best they can, in case of any emergency where the shark's health and well being is at stake). ANYWAYS, i wish this project the best in its search for knowledge and the WELL-BEING of creatures they take under their wing. ignore the pious babble of those incoherant 'accusers'.
 
Im definitly interested in the GWS project at MBA...its a fine instution 1st class IMO the premere aquarium I have had the privilege to visit over the years and I ahve been to some nice ones, moody gardens the aquarium of the americas also....and as a diver , especally one the dives the Home waters of the GWS it would be good to get some more knoledge of this apex preditor...I have been in kelpf forrests off of montery and its always in my mind that Im Swimming around in there backyard...just would liket o see one up close , but I would rather not be in a cage dive where there bated in..
 
NewSchool04 I honestly do feel your frustration, like I said before, I had a hard time with this whole project. But you kind of responces are the ones that we want. We hear from all the people that are for it, we also want to hear from those that are not. There has been an increase in admission in the first week we have had her on display. But as a non-profit organization that means very little for the pople that are on the board of trustees (as most are already rich) or to the employees. The only thing that the increased revanue is going to do is to allow us todo more research on other things that are in the ocean. I hope that clears up the financial part. As far as what we can learn from a four foot shark...what do you know about a four foot GWS? We dont know much more, which is why we are doing it. From about the age of two to about the age of 10 there is even less information on the GWS. Most research has been done on the adults. We at the aquarium have always been on the forefront of marine biology greatness. We are able to keep animals that others can not. The funny thing is in the same tank with the GWS, there are Ocean Sunfish (we were the first to keep them successfully), Galapagos Shark Only two on display in the world outside of Hawaii, we have both), and tuna (only other aquarium in the world that has them on display in in Japan). So take solice in he fact that we do take great care of our animals. Like I said in a previous post, please contact our RP department.

yimmerz There is a clip on our website that I had posted earlier that shows a guy in a bowtie that is very excited. Their is currently no Morish Idol project in the works at MBA. The ones you may be refering to in the 900 gallon reef tank in the Splash Zone are Bannerfish/Poor mans Morish Idol.

spleen93 Dont forget about aquaculture.

I dont want this to turn into a bashing thread, PLEASE. There are two kinds of pople in the world it seems, there are those that are in favor for keeping a GWS, and those that are not in favor of it. That is what RC is all about getting different idea out in the open. Please do not Flame someone because of thier beliefs. I know that what was said was not really aimed dircetly at me, but aimed at the idea of keeping the GWS. His opinion, however unpopular it has been up to this point on this thread, is still his opinion, and our PR department still wants to talk to anyone that has any problem with this project at all. We are expecting criticism(SP?), that helps in the long run to be more open to both sides of the issue.
 
Wow, I think that is amazing. wonrib00 - I hope things work out very well and the shark continues to thrive.

The Great White being my favourite animal (well fish) delights me to hear that one is doing well in captivity. It gives people the chance to see such an amazing creature without having to go on special dives or to watch movies and I would love the opportunity to see one in real life.

Please post some photos as soon as you can. :)
 
That is good news!!!! I did hear about this before and am really happy that its staying alive. I know they are hard to keep. Capturing a great white is just like any other animal. We try to understand its course of life and needs for better survivability. And also for us to prevent human death.

Dont feel ashamed for the trophy you guys have. A lot of people on here tend to be ignorant and never want to learn new things. Thats just something you have to put up with. Dont stop any of your goals because someone doesnt FEEL good about it. They are not professionals with great whites. Heck, Im sure they've killed corals and fish in their tank.. hypocrite? Better yet, ask them to visit Sea World and ask them to let all their fish/animals go back into the wild. LOL

Education people, Education!! Dont be ignorant.
 
Nothing can convince me that this is right. What can be learned by keeping a GWS in this type of environment? This shark will die, and will die soon and the one thing that will sure to be learned is that you can't keep a GWS in captivity. Problem is that it's already been tried, many times all without success. Big ego's under the name of science equals dead GWS.
 
NewSchool04 said:
Nothing can convince me that this is right. What can be learned by keeping a GWS in this type of environment? This shark will die, and will die soon and the one thing that will sure to be learned is that you can't keep a GWS in captivity. Problem is that it's already been tried, many times all without success. Big ego's under the name of science equals dead GWS.
Click to expand...

Whats your point? Go talk to your local fish market and tell them to stop selling seafood! Get over it.
 
The difference between MBA and the past attempts in keeping a GWS is that MBA has already taken all precautions and used the past experiences to avoid any detriment to the animal. I mean if the MBA can't properly care for a GWS, no one can. I rest easily in the thought that the shark will be cared for with it's health being held in the highest regard. I say congrats to the staff at MBA and hope that we can learn a lot of this elusive apex predator.
 
I agree. Definitely a worthwhile project, and I hope that it works out. Education for the public is also key to reducing the destruction of this species.
 
NewSchool04-
There are many things that can be learned from this shark. Metabolic rates, growth rates, and behavior to name a few. Yes, many other people have tried too do this before, but MBA has learned something from each one of these attempts. The outer bay exhibit that she is in was designed so that things that were problematic with previous gws exhibits are no longer a problem. The MBA is al about education, not profits. Like wonrib00 said, it is a nonprofit organization. They have nothing to gain from this except knowledge and maybe some bragging rights. The people that are watching this shark are some of the best aquarists/scientists around. If they sense that anything has changed, behaviorally or if she doesn't take a salmon steak, I'm sure they will release her. Nobody has anything to gain letting her die on exhibit. That is the last thing that will happen.
 
What are MBA's specific research objectives and what are the specific questions that they are going to ask? And more importantly, what specific actions will this new found information allow them to take. It would be nice for the public to hear this information and would show a commitment to the scientific process.

-Rachel
 
NewSchool04 said:
Nothing can convince me that this is right. What can be learned by keeping a GWS in this type of environment? This shark will die, and will die soon and the one thing that will sure to be learned is that you can't keep a GWS in captivity. Problem is that it's already been tried, many times all without success. Big ego's under the name of science equals dead GWS.
Click to expand...

Well, there is no point in bothering to explain the facts, Newschool04 has obviously made up his/her mind what the truth really is.
I honestly dont have an issue with your beliefs, its a free country. My eyebrows are raised by how rabidly you posted them. Histrionic zealots tend to cause people to move to a comfortable, (safe) distance and avoid further discussion with them.
I would recommend in the future that you try to present your views in a less emotional or strident tone, that way you don't alienate your audience immediately and you can be a more successful voice for a differing viewpoint. Just a few pointers.
Nick
 
Agreed. And my comments were not intended to be a flame - more like confused as to where this viewpoint was coming from. People DO certainly have the right to voice their opinion but at the same time, others have the right to take exception to those voiced opinions and ask for clarification. :)

The aquaculture point is a good one but if we're being honest with ourselves, this hobby still relies on wild caught/harvested specimens to a great deal. Luckily, that's changing slowly ...

Spleen
 
NewSchool04 I am not trying to convince anyone what we are doing it right or wrong. I am just trying to keep people informed about what we are doing and the progress of the GWS and the project itself. Unless your name is Yoda and you live in the Degobah System, you can not see its fate, none of us can. For the hundreth time, the animals well being is our main focus. You have already written her off as a gonner when she is doing so much better than any GWS in the history of the world has ever done in captivity. (Getting back up on soapbox) The funny thing about it is, the seafood that you are eating has a lot product called bi-catch. Bi-catch is the sealife that is not the target of the catch, but usually dies for a number of reasons. Bi-catch can be aything in the ocean, sharks, tuna, seastars, turtles. How do you think we got our GWS. BI-CATCH. What does that tell you? More GWS are being killed needlessly every day from bi-catch, than by aquariums. While we are at it, where do you get your livestock from?

goddard123 This is a link with a few general things we are trying to do. This is anoter link , But the thing that we are tyring to get across as well is these are not the human eating machines that everyone portrays them as. Too many Jaws movies. Have they preyed on humans, sure. If you are looking for a numbered list, I dont know that one exists, except for the obvious ones that people have already mentioned. You may want to contact our PR department, they may have some information that I dont have. Our mission statement is to insipre conservation of the worlds oceans. So we are hoping to inspire to choose seafood that is not as harmful as other options. When an apex perdator is taken out of the wild, there is an unbalanced shift in the food chain. We learned this with wolves a number of years ago.

spleen93 Ditto. I try to get aquaculture when possible, but in a the case of a GWS, you just cant find them in the LFS, and we dont want to get on to that subject here, do we?
 
well, I think the project is worth my donations that I make every year as a member of the Mont. Bay Aq. We have the family membership and you can bet we're going to do our darndest to get there and see her. Awesome!
 
i went and saw her today. absolutely amazing. she looks extremely healthy. think we even saw her eat a bit today. the shark gave everyone plenty of opportunity to see her, swimming back and forth in front of the glass for a long time. seems to know she's a star.

we got some decent pics and i'll post them in a bit.
 
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