The Florida Aquarium traces its roots to the Clearwater Marine Science Center, a private non-profit educational organisation founded on Clearwater Beach, Florida in 1977. In 1986 The Florida Aquarium, Inc. was incorporated and after many years of planning and design the present facility opened in downtown Tampa on March 31, 1995
While the original focus of the Aquarium spanned Florida’s coastal habitats, wetlands, freshwater ecosystems and coral reefs, one of the early public attractions quickly became the shark exhibits and associated habitats. The appeal of sharks—powerful apex predators and charismatic animals—was recognised as a way to draw visitors, raise awareness of marine ecosystems, and promote conservation of elasmobranchs (sharks and rays).
From its early years the Florida Aquarium built exhibits that included sharks — for example, the large “Coral Reef” tank which houses sharks, rays and reef fishes. Thus the story of sharks at the Florida Aquarium is intertwined with the institution’s evolution from local marine science centre to major public aquarium and educational institution.
Evolution of the Shark Program: Exhibits, Species & Public Engagement
As the Aquarium matured, so too did its shark program. The “Dive with the Sharks” interactive experience was inaugurated in 2003, giving certified divers the opportunity to enter the large tank alongside sand tiger sharks and other species. This marked a shift toward engaging visitors directly, using sharks not only as display animals but as vehicles for educational storytelling, conservation messaging and experiential learning.
In 2011 the Aquarium installed large sand tiger sharks into its signature 500,000-gallon “Coral Reef” exhibit — augmenting their shark display and public interaction opportunities. According to a news article, “It’s Shark Week every day at the Florida Aquarium”, the institution emphasises the importance of sharks in Florida’s ecosystem and uses its shark exhibits to help visitors appreciate the species’ ecological roles
Over time, the habitats that include sharks grew in complexity: large viewing galleries, immersive windows, “reef caves” and touch-zones in other areas of the Aquarium. The sharks became integral to the visitor experience and the institution’s conservation messaging. shutdown123