Beginning May 22, the Aquarium of the Pacific will open Shark Summer to spread the word about the importance of sharks in the global ecosystem, providing information about shark-friendly products and how you can help save them.  Interactive exhibits, short films and chances to feed sharks and rays will bring visitors closer than ever.

The aquarium will also feature a Shark Zone, which basically would have made my life complete when I was a kid.  It will offer games, crafts, and viewings of shark eggs as they progress toward hatching.  The aquarium held a media event to kick off the summer series last week, and photographer Yvonne was on hand to bring us the images below.

In honor of the aquarium’s Summer ‘o Sharks, I will now list my favorite shark species in order of most to least awesome.

One: Mako
Two: Hammerhead
Three: Thresher
Four: Blacktip
Five: Blue

Ok, I’ll let you get to the pictures now.

Stingray in for supper



Stingray touch pool



Feeding frenzy!



Aquarium of the Pacific CEO Jerry Schubel and Art Levine



Aquarist Phil Schellar, feeding a stingray



Aquarist Jen Gilbertson feeding a bonnet shark

Lots of press interest

By Ryan ZumMallen, Managing Editor