Shark Week

DIVE IN on what make Sharks so FINtastic!

Saturday, July 25 & Sunday, July 26

USM Shark Themed Activities and informational areas – Big Window (1st floor of aquatic wonders to the right of Lobby)

Saturday, August 1

10:00am-3:00pm – Book signing with Dr. Glenn Parsons – Big Window (1st floor of aquatic wonders to the right of Lobby)

11:00am-12:00pm – Shark Talk with Dr. Glenn Parsons, professor emeritus at the University of Mississippi – Big Window (1st floor of aquatic wonders to the right of Lobby)

Throughout the Week

– Activities –

Times: 10:15am-11:15am | 11:45am-12:45pm | 1:15pm-2:15pm | 2:45pm-3:45pm**

Location: Shark Grotto (1st floor of Aquatic Wonders coming down the ramp before Big Window)

Topic: Shark Vs. Dolphins Anatomy

Location: Before the Tunnel on 2nd floor of Aquatic Wonders

Topic: Shark Egg Activity

**Times are based on volunteers and may change based on availability.

Topic: Dr. Glenn Parsons book - Sharks, Skates, and Rays
Time: 10:00am-3:00pm
Location: Big Window - (1st floor of aquatic wonders to the right of Lobby)


The goblin shark is arguably one of the ugliest fish in the sea. The cookie-cutter shark lives in the deep Gulf and glows in the dark. It feeds by attaching itself to a sperm whale and gnawing hunks of flesh. Often misidentified as a shark, the smalltooth sawfish is really more closely related to the stingrays and skates and may be in danger of disappearing in Gulf environs. The twenty to thirty teeth on each side of its snout work well for rooting up food from the sandy bottom or slashing through schools of prey. But the teeth tangle easily in commercial fishing nets. In Sharks, Skates, and Rays of the Gulf of Mexico: A Field Guide, fascinating rarities such as these and all the commonly sighted species await the naturalist, commercial or recreational fisher, outdoor enthusiast, or beach-goer. This guidebook covers almost all the species of sharks and rays that cruise Gulf waters, from the abundant, shallow-dwelling sharpnose shark and the frightening electric ray, to the deep-dwelling goblin fish. Color photography, line drawings, and easily understood keys developed exclusively for this book help the reader quickly identify species. In addition to general information on reproduction, sensory systems, feeding, and other aspects of marine biology, there is practical information on how to reduce the risk of shark attack, how to prevent and treat stingray wounds, and how to safely catch, handle, and release a shark. Personal and anecdotal information gathered from fourty years of shark research as well as significant facts and figures make Parson's book the ideal companion for anyone scouting the Gulf for its most exciting denizens.

Topic: Night Fishing.
Time: 11:00am-12:00pm
Location: Big Window - (1st floor of aquatic wonders to the right of Lobby)

Jesse Gates, a marine biology PhD student, notices alarming changes in the sharks he studies in the waters around Dauphin Island-anomalies that threaten both his research and his future. On a research trip with his dog, he finds an abandoned shrimp boat run aground on the beach. The Coast Guard investigates and makes a surprising discovery. When island residents begin dying in gruesome, inexplicable ways, CDC agent Dr. Cherie Belon arrives to investigate. As Dauphin Island is sealed under quarantine, Jesse, who struggles with anger management issues, teams up with Cherie and Sheriff Robert Eest as they race to uncover the source of the outbreak before it reaches the mainland. Exploding victims, bionic sharks, a psychopathic terrorist, pirate treasure, and a category-5 hurricane collide in Night Fishing, a relentless, edge-of-your-seat, bio-thriller.

Additional Information:

About Dr. Parsons

Dr. Glenn R. Parsons holds a PhD in Biological Oceanography from the University of South Florida, School of Marine Science. He also holds degrees from the University of South Alabama and the University of Alabama. Over his 40+ year career, he has authored over 100 scientific papers, book chapters, books, and numerous popular articles on fish and fishing. He is also the author of a popular field guide, Sharks, Skates and Rays of the Gulf of Mexico, and a textbook,Introductory Fish Biology: An Ecophysiological Approach. A Professor Emeritus at the University of Mississippi, Dr. Parsons previously served as Director of the Center for Biodiversity and Conservation Research. He is internationally recognized for his work in shark biology and conservation biology, having secured millions of dollars in research funding, testified before Congress on environmental issues, and presented a TED talk on shark conservation (both the TED talk and his testimony before Congress can be found online). He lives in Oxford, Mississippi, where he spends time writing, fishing, composing music, playing guitar, and enjoying his grandchildren. Additional information about his books can be found at www.booksbyglenn.com.