Beyond The Sound (Open Ocean)

This exhibit is home to the Aquarium's largest shark species: sand tiger and lemon sharks. The exhibit also features large fish and ray species of the Northern Atlantic. 


OPEN OCEAN TANK FACTS

Approximately 110,000 gallons, plus an additional 30,000 in the filtration system.

The main window is acrylic and is 4.5 inches thick and weighs 50,000 lbs.

Artificial rocks and décor to maintain the environment

2-3 feet of gravel

22 feet deep and 45 feet across.

The complete water volume is filtered 40 times per day.

Salt water is not from the Sound but is manufactured on site using 7 different types of salt and additional trace minerals. 

================================================================

Shark feeding for the Open Ocean Exhibit varies depending up on consumption and may change from day to day, and is currently 3 times per week.

NOTE:  The dark hallway leading down to this exhibit represents “The Race,” the area at the eastern end of Long Island Sound where the relatively shallow and warm Sound waters drop off to mix with the deeper, colder waters of the open ocean. This transitional zone is rich in marine life from both environments.


FREQUENT OPEN OCEAN SPECIES (3/20/2023)

  • Sand Tiger Sharks
  • Sandbar Shark
  • Black Drum
  • Striped Bass
  • Black Sea Bass
  • Porgy (Scup)
  • Triggerfish
  • Tautog
  • Alewives
Open Ocean Tank Feeding



1 point
How many gallons of water are in the open ocean exhibit?

The Importance of Sharks
A Healthy Ocean Needs Sharks: Sharks are apex predators. They help keep other populations in balance by removing the weak and sick. By preventing any one species from monopolizing a limited resource , sharks increase the species diversity of the entire ecosystem.
Sharks In Trouble: 100 million sharks are caught every year. Of the more than 1000 species of sharks and rays, half of these species are endangered or threatened. 

Sandbar sharks are the most abundant shark in the western Atlantic, but are still listed as endangered by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature)
In the 1980's there was a significant decline in the population of sandbar sharks due to:
- More recreational fishing
- High demand for shark fins
- High demand for shark meat
Sandbar sharks were particularly vulnerable to over-fishing due to their:
- Small litter size
- Slow growth rate
- Long gestation period
In 1993, a management plan was implemented in U.S. waters, leading to an increase and stabilization of the sandbar shark population.


The Maritime Aquarium's Sandbar Sharks
Gender: 3 males
Born and raised: Marathon, Florida
Arrived at Maritime Aquarium: November 11, 2021