Digital News Report- The Aquarium of the Bay has announced that it is releasing a mini-documentary called “City of the Shark.” The documentary is by local filmmaker and shark conservationist David McGuire and will focus on the sevengill shark species that lives in the San Francisco Bay. The documentary looks at the state of local shark species and the issues that endanger their existence.
“The San Francisco Bay is an incredibly diverse estuary ecosystem that includes several shark species that swim just footsteps from the shore, but we are often unaware of the impacts we have on our Bay and ocean life,” said McGuire. “‘City of the Shark’ emphasizes how not only appreciating, but also protecting sharks and the San Francisco Bay habitat can improve the health and diversity of marine life, as well as benefit humans.”
Since July of 2008, researchers from Aquarium of the Bay Foundation and UC Davis have conducted groundbreaking research on sevengill sharks, using acoustic tagging to monitor and learn more about the species. The Aquarium actively tracked four adult sevengills using ultrasonic transmitter tags implanted in the shark’s body.
“Since we are a nature center focused on San Francisco Bay, one of our primary missions is to research local sharks and learn more about their behavior,” said Christina J. Slager, Director of Husbandry for Aquarium of the Bay. “‘City of the Shark’ gives viewers a behind-the-scenes peek at our animal care and our sevengill tagging and tracking research.”
Aquarium of the Bay Foundation will host a benefit preview screening event on January 29. The screening will include a Q&A with David McGuire, a sevengill shark feeding presentation, acoustic performances by singer-songwriter Mike Gibbons, and a hosted bar. For additional information on “City of the Shark” or its preview screening event, visit http://www.aquariumofthebay.com or call 415-623-5340.