SharkCon 2021: You’re Gonna Need a Bigger Boat!
SharkCon in Tampa, Florida, is the sensation of the summer. It combines conservation education with the geeky, all-out fun of a full-fledged Comic-Con, making it one of Florida’s most fin-tastic events.
With special guest speakers from National Geographic, Animal Planet, and even one of Spielberg-related fame, this two-day con hosts some of the biggest names in the world of sharks. When you aren’t sitting on the edge of your seat during an engaging talk, there are a plethora of interactive exhibits to take part in, as well as over 100 vendors of shark-related merch to check out. You can walk away from SharkCon proudly proclaiming your love of sharks with a t-shirt, hat, or cellphone case. (Or all three!)
This year, SharkCon is being held on August 7th and 8th at the Florida State Fairgrounds. Whether you’re a diehard fan of these spectacular sea creatures or just have a glancing interest, SharkCon is not to be missed.
SharkCon’s Special Guests
Each speaker on SharkCon’s special guest line-up is sure to make a splash!
Award-winning shark photographer Tanya Houppermans, Shark Week’s leading shark behavioral ecologist Dr. Yannis Papastamatiou, and NOAA marine biologist Dr. Hassan Moustahfid are just a few of the amazing speakers in attendance this summer.
Each guest will lead an informative talk about their line of work, and of course, how it relates to sharks. It’s a special experience to hear these experts swap stories about how they fell in love with sharks and share their unique perspectives on what makes them the ocean’s finest fish. (Shark Fact: sharks are a special type of cartilaginous fish called an elasmobranch – but, no bones about it, they’re still a fish!1)
If you aren’t a shark fan already, then get ready to become one – the passion these speakers share for their finned friends is absolutely contagious!
Among these shark experts and enthusiasts, you’ll also find everybody’s favorite fictional marine biologist – that’s right, we’re talking about Matt Hooper! Or rather, renowned actor Richard Dreyfuss, from Jaws! (Also known as the loveable Curt from American Graffiti.)
During the first evening of SharkCon, you can actually watch a screening of Jaws with Dreyfuss! Afterwards, Mr. Dreyfuss will be taking part in a Q&A with the audience, signing autographs, and taking part in photo-ops.
Please excuse me while I go fangirl for a solid hour.
Shop, Slide, & Scuba
If Richard Dreyfuss and famous researchers weren’t enough of a reason to come to SharkCon, there are also some crazy-cool activities to lure you in. The exhibits here are just as fun for kiddos as they are for adults, so the con makes for a great, family-friendly weekend.
A stunning aquarium exhibit is provided by the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Florida’s home to rescued sea creatures big and small.2 The Aquarium is also hosting a touch tank so you can personally meet and greet some fishy friends. The touch tank has held bamboo sharks in past years.3 Bamboo sharks are small bottom dwellers with elegantly long tails and equally elegant tastes – they enjoy munching on shrimp, crab, and scallops.4 These cuties pose no threat to humans and are sometimes called “cat sharks” because their nasal barbels look like whiskers.5
In addition, to live bamboo sharks, the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission will have an exhibit where you can handle different shark specimens, check out some enormous tooth-filled jaws, and watch scientists as they dissect a real shark.
There will also be a sandpit where the kiddos (or, let’s face it, us shark-loving adults) can hunt for real shark teeth. Of course, you can also get a thrill by plummeting down the 22-foot Shark Slide or by trying your hand at scuba diving in a safe, shallow dive clinic!
And, of course, you’ll want to check out all of the great shark merch. You can wear your love for sharks on your sleeve with numerous t-shirts and hoodies, or you can wear it as a pair of flashy earrings or a pretty necklace. SharkCon is the number one place to go to find whatever shark collectible you desire! (And we’d imagine that must include snuggly Baby Shark plushies.)
Sharks Are Friends, Not Fiends
While SharkCon is an absolute blast, it’s so much more than just an entertaining weekend. It’s a time of unification, education, and appreciation for the wonders of our world.
When Spencer Steward, CEO of Ocean Endeavors Inc., was getting ready for the first SharkCon in 2014, he said the goal was simply “to create something that would be a force for good.”6
While Jaws is an iconic part of SharkCon, you won’t hear any of the keynote speakers calling sharks monsters. In fact, a huge part of SharkCon is debunking that myth. As a general rule, sharks are far more curious than aggressive, and they are an integral part of the oceanic ecosystem. The Shark Conservation Fund explains, “As apex predators, sharks and rays stabilize food webs and act as a barometer for ocean health.”7
Sadly, more than 30% of shark species are currently threatened with extinction, largely due to overfishing.8 If sharks continue to decline, so will other sea life, resulting in shortages of seafood – a primary food source for at least one billion people – as well as the loss of hundreds of thousands of jobs in the fishing industry.9
SharkCon helps raise awareness of this integral tie between humans and sharks, the problems sharks are facing, as well as funds for conservation efforts that are combatting the crisis. So, when you purchase a ticket to the con, you’re helping our natural world, too!
SharkCon also inspires a deeper love for marine life: at the end of the weekend, people are motivated to take action that will help preserve our oceans, whether it’s getting involved in local conservation projects, deciding to get a degree in marine biology, or simply starting to recycle. So how will SharkCon inspire you this year?
Above all, SharkCon is about people coming together to unite in a shared bond – an interest in, or all-out love for, sharks. Striking up great conversations and sparking new friendships is part of what makes this event so special. Although it’s centered around an awesome sea predator, SharkCon is also an incredible human experience.
Cover Image
Photo: Unsplash
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