Gulf Shores, Ala. – (OBA) – Shark Week returns July 7, 2024, with a week filled with shark-related programming, both on TV and beginning on July 8th, at in-person classes at the Gulf State Park.
Shark Week on the Discovery Channel, which has been held every year since 1988, aims to educate and entertain viewers about the fascinating world of these apex predators of the sea. Since 2010, Shark Week has been the longest-running cable television series in history.
This year we will first highlight the events at the Alabama Gulf State Park and the educational opportunities they offer.
Gulf State Park Shark Week Schedule:
Gulf State Park’s annual Shark Week 2024 takes place between July 8th and the 12th. Join in on five days of educational opportunities about the most famous predators of the sea. Below is a summary of the schedule.
- When: July 8th–12th
- Time: Monday 3pm–7pm
- Tuesday-Friday 10am–2pm
- Where: Lake Shelby Visitor Center
20110 AL-135, Gulf Shores, AL 36542 - Daily wristbands are $3/person
- Parking is free.
A highlight of the event will be a stingray touch tank, filled with various ray species native to the Gulf of Mexico, provided by the Marine Resources Division of Alabama Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources.
Mississippi State University will be hosting presentations covering topics listed in the schedule below:
Monday, July 8 - Shark Week Kickoff:
- Time: 3 PM - 7 PM
- Presentations: 3 PM & 4 PM
- Dissection: Tiger shark at 5 PM
Tuesday, July 9 - Shark & Ray Diversity:
- Time: 10 AM - 2 PM
- Presentations: 10 AM & 12 PM
- Dissection: Atlantic stingray at 11 AM
- Activity: Build a Shark at 1 PM
Wednesday, July 10 - Shark & Ray Biology & Feeding:
- Time: 10 AM - 2 PM
- Presentations: 10 AM & 11 AM
- Dissection: Blacknose shark at 12 PM
- Activity: Toothy Tactics - How a Shark Hunts at 1 PM
Thursday, July 11 - Shark Research:
- Time: 10 AM - 2 PM
- Presentations: 10 AM & 12 PM
- Dissection: Smooth butterfly ray at 11 AM
- Activity: Shark Workup Demo at 1 PM
Friday, July 12 - Sharks & Humans:
- Time: 10 AM - 2 PM
- Presentations: 10 AM & 11 AM
- Dissection: Atlantic sharpnose shark at 12 PM
- Activity: Fish Bowl Q&A Session at 1 PM
Visit the link below if you would like to register for your wristband in advance. Print your registration confirmation or save it to your phone to show the attendant at the entrance.
Click here to purchase tickets for $3 each.
For additional Information:
- Contact Email: hannah.russell@dcnr.alabama.gov
- Contact Phone: 251-948-7275 extension 62093
- Meeting Place: Gulf State Park Visitor Center
Discovery Channel’s Shark Week Events:
Host: John Cena
Shark Week 2024 on the Discovery Channel kicks off on Sunday, July 7th, at 7pm CDT and continues each night through Saturday, July 13th, featuring a week-long lineup of shark-related documentaries and specials. Hosted by John Cena, this year's event has 21 hours of new programming, including encounters with great whites, hammerheads, and other fascinating shark species. Each evening, viewers can tune in at 7pm for a variety of shows that dive deep into the world of these ocean predators, offering both educational content and entertainment.
- Sunday, July 7:
EARL, Great White Shark, Feeding Frenzy, Whale Carcass, Nocturnal Behaviors, Bull Sharks, Sydney Harbour, Makos, Leviathan - Monday, July 8:
Shark Sex, Tiger Sharks, Mating Dances, Oceanic White Tips, Shark Pregnancy, Bahamas, Mating Scars, Gorge - Tuesday, July 9:
6000 Pounder, Monster Hammerhead, Bite Box, Shark Teeth, Shark Poop, Elephant Seals, Migration Pods, New Species - Wednesday, July 10:
Alien Sharks, Japanese Angelshark, WWII, Underwater Jet Pack, Shipwrecks, Bull Sharks, Migration Patterns, Fin Camera, Rocky Reef - Thursday, July 11:
Whale Boneyard, Pilot White Pod, Predator Path, Shark Hotspots, Underwater Surveillance, Great White Shark - Friday, July 12:
Undersea Mountain Ranges, Tiger Sharks, Bronze Whaler Shark, Seal Decoy, Shark Worshiping, Caledonia, Spear Fishing, Silver Tip Reef - Saturday, July 13:
Leopard Sharks, Shark Birth, Scalloped Hammerheads, Underwater Ultrasound, Hunting for Prey
Shark Beach with Anthony Mackie: Gulf Coast:
Before Shark Week begins, there will be a show airing on June 30th that’s a part of National Geographic’s Shark Fest 2024. The show is called Shark Beach with Anthony Mackie: Gulf Coast. This special features Anthony Mackie, a native of New Orleans, as he explores the Gulf Coast waters where he grew up boating and fishing.
Mackie investigates a phenomenon known as depredation, where sharks prey on fish caught by anglers before they can retrieve their catch. This issue has become more prevalent, bringing sharks and humans into closer contact. The program delves into these encounters, aiming to understand their implications and propose solutions for coexistence.
In addition to Shark Beach with Anthony Mackie, Shark Fest will feature various other programs, such as Attack of the Red Sea Sharks, which examines a series of shark attacks in the Red Sea, and Sharks Gone Viral, a light-hearted look at popular shark videos on social media.
Sharks Gone Viral premieres on July 1st at 8:00pm CDT on the National Geographic.
Comedians Helen Hong, Keon Polee, and the Sklar Brothers dive into the internet's wildest shark videos, featuring lightning-fast attacks and sharks on golf courses. Meanwhile, experts explain the science behind these popular social media fish.
These shows will provide viewers with a mix of education and entertainment, emphasizing the importance of sharks in marine ecosystems and the challenges they face.
The event will be available on several channels, including Discovery Channel, Disney+, and Hulu.
As Shark Fest and Shark Week approaches, communities, especially those along the Northern Gulf Coast, are encouraged to tune in and participate in local activities aimed at fostering shark conservation.
