SAN DIEGO — July 14 is Shark Awareness Day, a day created to dispel myths about sharks and to raise awareness about the importance of sharks to the ocean.
Sea World San Diego veterinarian Todd Schmitt conducts ultrasounds on zebra shark eggs, looking for viable embryos.
“It’s exciting work. It’s fun to do,” he said. “We can measure the length of the shark embryo and monitor its growth over time, which is pretty cool.”
Zebra sharks are critically endangered, and SeaWorld San Diego is part of the international movement to save them. They’re a partner with ReShark’s StAR Project, which works to restore zebra shark populations in Indonesia that have been decimated by habitat loss and killed for their fins.
“They’re functionally extinct and they’ve only seen like three individuals over the course of twenty years with over 15,000 scuba hours trying to survey these animals,” Schmitt said. “Sharks are such an important apex predator, just creates a balance within the ecosystem.”
SeaWorld San Diego has three zebra sharks. They collect their eggs, make sure they’re viable and genetically healthy and then ship the eggs to Indonesia, where they're hatched and released back into the wild.
Danielle Castillo, curator of aquariums, says they are also part of the Species Survival Plan for the endangered sand tiger shark. She says despite its fearsome appearance, they are a peaceful and slow-moving shark.
“Sharks don’t necessarily have the best reputation. They’re still feared unfortunately,” Castillo said. “We’re not on their menu. They’re not these scary animals, and they’re actually vital to our health.”
Castillo says they provide all their sharks with a healthy diet and enrichment, and their Shark Encounter allows people to get closer and get over any unfounded fear.
“When we talk to a guest who is a little bit scared of sharks and share that information with them and kind of see the wheels turning, and then it clicks,” Castillo said.
Schmitt says it can take up to seven years from the time a zebra shark hatches to when they can reproduce. He hopes by sending their eggs to Indonesia, it creates more interest in helping endangered species everywhere.
“Species are at risk globally and we have to do everything possible to keep them,” he said.
Sea World is hosting their Ultimate Shark Experience through Sunday, with $25 of every ticket going to shark conservation.