VISITORS to the Blue Planet Aquarium in Cheshire Oaks will be able to come face to face with more than 30 species of sharks and rays during their forthcoming European Shark Week celebrations.
The aquarium this week is joining a continent-wide campaign aimed at raising awareness of the threats faced by shark species in European Waters.
Of the 40 shark species found in European seas, one-third are threatened by intensive and illegal fishing, sport fishing and accidental capture, according to the World Conservation Union (IUCN).
The last 15 years have seen an 80-per cent drop in the shark population, and 20 per cent of the European species are on the verge of critical status for survival.
Using a mixture of exhibitions, entertaining talks, diving demonstrations and fun activities, Shark Week aims to dispel many of the popular misconceptions of sharks as mindless man-eaters by showing the facts behind the fiction.
The award-winning Cheshire Oaks aquarium is home to the largest shark collection in Europe and visitors can enjoy close encounters with everything from dogfish and bamboo sharks to bizarre-looking zebra sharks and giant, three-metre-long sand tigers.
There will also be the chance to view a ‘Shark Nursery’ - home to egg-cases, or mermaid’s purses, and the newly-hatched baby sharks.
Among the latest arrivals are no fewer than 30 baby bamboo sharks which are going on display after being born at the aquarium over the past few months.
Shark Talks and Rockpool Presentations will provide the opportunity to experience hands-on encounters with everything from shark jaws, teeth and skin to dried egg cases.
Blue Planet’s Paul Renolds said: “Our aim with Shark Week is to try and portray sharks in a different light to the public and encourage people to see beyond the stereotypical view of them as mindless killers.
“We’re hoping to enlist hundreds more shark supporters throughout the event,” he added.