Shark Dies Following Release From Monterey Bay Aquarium

A young great white shark that was on display at the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Open Sea exhibit for 55 days died soon after his release into the ocean on Oct. 25, the aquarium stated in a Tuesday press release.

The great white was caught just off the Marina del Rey breakwater in August. This was followed by a two-week stay in a holding pen off the Paradise Cove coast in Malibu for observation. He was then taken to Monterey Bay. 

The great white was released from the aquarium because changes in how he was moving could have led to abrasions and infections, staff veterinarian Mike Murray said. 

"While we determined it was best not to keep him on exhibit any longer, we had no reservations about whether the shark would do well in the wild," Murray said. "That's why his death is both distressing and puzzling."

The great white, which was 4 feet 10 inches long and 43 pounds when he left the aquarium, was the first not to survive the release since Monterey Bay began collecting and exhibiting the species in 2004. Five other great whites have been successfully returned to the wild. One died four months after his release when he got stuck in a fisherman's net in Baja California, according to the aquarium.

"This is a very difficult day for all of us and for everyone who saw and cared about this animal," said Jon Hoech, the aquarium's director of husbandry. "Based on the shark's behavior and condition prior to release, we had every confidence that he'd do well back in the wild. Unfortunately, that's not how things turned out. We're surprised and saddened by the outcome."

The aquarium's press release states that the staff will review its procedures and protocol for handling the great whites. It will continue next year with the shark tagging and tracking program, which could include bringing another great white to the aquarium. Forty-seven juvenile great whites off the coast of Southern California have been tagged and tracked since 2002.