The Deep is joining alongside UK aquariums this week to raise awareness for sharks and rays as part of BIAZA’s (the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums) Shark Awareness Week campaign.
BIAZA Shark Awareness Week (6-13 July 2026) is a collaboration between aquariums, who are not only flying the flag for shark advocacy, but also holding a light-hearted bracket vote (with daily rounds, reminiscent of the FIFA World Cup) for fan-favourite aquarium-based sharks or rays.
The eight nominees not only demonstrate just how diverse sharks and rays are, but how many of them are critically endangered. Today, over a quarter of the world’s sharks and rays face extinction. Elasmobranchs (sharks and rays) are important for the balance of healthy marine ecosystems, but are slow to mature, so their loss can have extreme knock-on effects in the ocean.
Dr Jo Judge, CEO of BIAZA said:
“As well as factors such as overfishing and climate change, the future of sharks is also threatened by misinformation and poor understanding. I’m proud of BIAZA aquariums for demystifying sharks, inspiring an awe in them, and helping visitors understand how their actions can influence the future of sharks and rays.”
“The bespoke education aquariums provide is the foundation for a better world for sharks and rays, many of which, like the flapper skate and green sawfish, are critically endangered due to human action.”
As well as providing advocacy, outreach and education programmes, BIAZA aquariums also undertake novel research and conservation for sharks such as, developing best practices for non-invasive veterinary treatment and DNA-swabbing.
Dr Rob Bullock, Head of Conservation at The Deep, said:
“The ancestors of sharks have been around on our planet longer than trees! These days, sharks play vital roles in our ocean ecosystems and yet they are the most threatened group of marine vertebrates in the world.”
“BIAZA aquariums have an important role to play in advocating for a brighter future for sharks and their relatives. Of those relatives, the Green sawfish is one of the ocean's most extraordinary animals—a living relic that has adapted and survived for millenia. Every Green sawfish represents not only a species worth saving, but a powerful symbol of the resilience and majesty of marine life.”
You can find out more about BIAZA Shark Awareness Week and join the vote (with daily rounds starting 6th of July and running until the 12th).
Cast your vote here: BIAZA Shark Awareness Week 2026 - the vote! | BIAZA