The Cox Science Center and Aquarium in West Palm Beach is celebrating Shark Preservation Week, featuring hands-on activities and educational opportunities to highlight the importance of sharks.
Conservation Efforts
Kids of all ages can participate in interactive shark and sawfish activities, learn about conservation efforts, and see sharks up close. One of the main goals of the event is to raise awareness about the challenges facing shark populations, which have declined by an estimated 70% over the last 50 years due to overfishing, habitat loss, and the shark fin trade.
Kristian Zambrana, director of guest services at the Cox Science Center, said, “One of the things we hear about sharks a lot is that people are afraid of sharks because they think they’re going to get bit by a shark. We don’t like to use the word shark attack around here, but shark bites do happen. Some bites do happen, but they are extremely rare. You’re more likely to get hurt by a falling vending machine than you are by one of our sharks.”
Throughout the week, experts will be available to answer questions about sharks and their conservation.
Original reporting: WPBF West Palm Beach — read the source article.
