| Shark Bay | |
|---|---|
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| Sea World (Australia) | |
| Coordinates | 27°57′22″S153°25′29″E / 27.955994°S 153.424611°E Coordinates: 27°57′22″S153°25′29″E / 27.955994°S 153.424611°E |
| Status | Operating |
| Cost | $13 million |
| Opening date | 9 April 2004 |
| Ride statistics | |
| Attraction type | Shark exhibit |
| Designer | Sea World Trevor Long [1] |
 Wheelchair accessible | |
Shark Bay is a shark exhibit located within the Sea World theme park on the Gold Coast, Australia. It is the largest man-made lagoon system in the world.
In early 2003, work began on the construction of Shark Bay in a vacant patch of land adjacent to the Mid Monorail Station and Polar Bear Shores. [2] [3] [4] During the construction period seven sharks were being kept inside the main lagoon swimming pool of Sea World's Water Park. [2] In August 2003, the RSPCA began an investigation into the treatment of the sharks whilst in captivity. [2] The investigation resulted in Sea World releasing the world's largest tiger shark in captivity back into the wild. [5] Sea World had originally planned to move the sharks into Shark Bay in October 2003, prior to the public opening of the exhibit on 26 December 2003. [2] [6] A variety of delays forced the opening date to be moved back to 9 April 2004. [6] The exhibit cost $13 million to construct. [7]
The Shark Bay exhibit is divided into four distinct sections. [8] The main section is the Shark Lagoon. [8] It houses some of the world's largest, most feared and potentially dangerous sharks. [8] Unlike other smaller shark exhibits, the Shark Lagoon at Shark Bay allows for the sharks to have a 60-metre (200 ft) swimming pattern which is essential for them to be able to rest whilst swimming. [8] As the name suggests, the Reef Lagoon is a reef-themed environment. It houses a variety of smaller sharks alongside rays and other fish. [8] Guests can view both the Shark Lagoon and Reef Lagoon from a series above ground viewing areas as well as through four 10-by-3-metre (32.8 ft × 9.8 ft) underwater viewing windows. [8] An additional window of this size separates the two sections and allows divers in the Reef Lagoon to view the sharks in the Shark Lagoon. [6] [9] The Inter-Tidal Zone is attached to the Reef Lagoon and is adjacent to the Touch Pools. The area is home to a variety of small fish and other marine life. The final zone is the Touch Pools. Within this section, guests are able to touch a variety of marine animals in the shallow water. [8] Collectively, these areas make Shark Bay the largest man-made lagoon system in the world. [9]
Similar to other marine attractions at Sea World, guests have the opportunity to experience one of four Animal Adventures at Shark Bay for an additional fee. A Tropical Reef Snorkel allows guests to swim with the sharks and other marine life in the Reef Lagoon. [10] Similarly, the Shark SCUBA Animal Adventure allows qualified guests to SCUBA in the Reef Lagoon. [11] Within the Shark Lagoon guests can choose an up-close encounter and an above water journey. The Shark Encounter allows guests to enter an acrylic cage and watch the sharks be fed up close. [12] Finally, the Glass Bottom Boat Animal Adventure allows guests to view the sharks up-close from a unique angle without the need to put a foot in the water. [13]
The opening of Shark Bay was heavily marketed locally, nationally and internationally. An Australian advertising campaign was launched with print, television, cinema and radio advertising. This campaign alone cost $2 million. Additionally the international markets of the United Kingdom, Singapore and Taiwan were also targeted in other campaigns. [14]
Sea World is a marine mammal park, oceanarium, and theme park located on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. It includes rides, animal exhibits and other attractions, and it promotes conservation through education and the rescue and rehabilitation of sick, injured or orphaned wildlife. The park is commercially linked to Warner Bros. Movie World and Wet'n'Wild Gold Coast as part of the theme park division of Village Roadshow. The park has no affiliation with the American park chain of a similar name.
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