Sharks, a new exhibition that opened on 24 September 2022, has taken centre stage at the Australian Museum (AM) this summer.

Highlighting the very latest science and with deep cultural overlays, Sharks invites visitors to explore the diversity of these ancient fishes.

Featuring over 100 specimens and artefacts from the AM collections, visitors will encounter 11 life-sized scientifically accurate models including an eight-metre whale shark and the now extinct 270-million-year-old Helicoprion (also known as the buzzsaw shark); the rare deep sea Goblin Shark which dates back 125 million years; and the nation’s first taxidermy spine of a Shortfin Mako shark.

Alongside the scientific specimens, visitors will also be able to see over 30 significant cultural objects, including several specially commissioned for the exhibition, and discover how First Nations and Pasifika Peoples knowledge of sharks can help protect them. State-of-the-art projections and a specially designed ‘oceanarium’ showcasing the majesty and power of sharks swimming through the ocean will captivate visitors.

NSW Treasurer, the Hon. Matt Kean MP, said the NSW Government is thrilled to support the Sharks exhibition.

“Opening just in time for the September school holidays, the Australian Museum’s new Sharks exhibition is the perfect family activity. The NSW Government is proud to be supporting the Australian Museum to enable audiences to experience the magic of this homegrown exhibition, which will tour internationally after it debuts in Sydney,” Treasurer Kean said.

Matt Kean speaking at the opening of the exhibition | James Alcock

NSW Minister for Tourism and the Arts, the Hon. Ben Franklin MLC, said the exhibition is one of the largest and most significant glimpses into sharks that an Australian museum has ever produced.

“It’s so exciting to have this fierce exhibition opening in Sydney, offering visitors the chance to learn more about the history, science and cultural connections of sharks. It’s fantastic to see our state’s own cultural institutions producing world class exhibitions like these, and I congratulate the entire Australian Museum team on the official opening of Sharks,” Minister Franklin said.

Director and CEO, Australian Museum, Kim McKay AO said this is not only an exhibition about sharks, but also an exhibition about us, as Australians.

“Sharks are unmistakeable, legendary, beautiful and among the most fascinating animals on the planet. Yet, they are also misunderstood and are not always given the credit they deserve. I hope that through this exhibition, visitors will realise that our actions and attitudes will decide the fate of these ancient survivors, which play a critical role in maintaining the health of ocean ecosystems around the world, which are also vital to humans,” McKay said.

“We all want a thriving marine environment where sharks can flourish. But according to the ICUN, a quarter of the world’s sharks are threatened with extinction. Sharks can also influence the economy through ecotourism – one whale shark can bring in an estimated $2 million* in its lifetime,” McKay added.

“Some 182 species, nearly half the world’s shark species live in Australian waters, making this country one of the best places on Earth to study sharks in all their rich diversity. As Australia’s first museum, the AM has the fourth largest fish type collection in the world. Our Ichthyology collection, and its staff, play an important role in providing resources and teaching to promote the understanding and conservation of our oceans,” McKay said.

In addition, the AM sought out input from shark experts including conservationist Valerie Taylor AM and science officers from the NSW Department of Primary Industries and CSIRO.

Three years in the making, Sharks has been developed, designed and built by a team across the AM, including scientists from the Australian Museum Research Institute (AMRI) and the AM First Nations team.

Incorporating scientific data directly from the AM’s team of scientists and collaborating partners, the interactive exhibition includes specimens and cultural artefacts that showcase the beauty, diversity and jaw-dropping size and scale of sharks. Visitors will be able to navigate through a shark body, see the world through the eyes of a hammerhead shark, detect swimming sharks from a Clever Buoy, discover how Pasifika Peoples interact with sharks by calling them to shore and be immersed in an ‘oceanarium’ with sharks swimming all around. The very latest information on conservation, shark products and shark safety will also be highlighted enabling visitors to make informed choices.

To add to the exhibition, there is a raft of programs launching on the opening weekend which will help dispel some of the myths and misunderstanding of sharks.

Sharks is supported by the NSW Government through the Blockbuster Funding initiative. The NSW Department of Primary Industries is the Exhibition Partner and Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic, Minderoo Foundation, and Macquarie University are the Supporting Partners. AM visitors can enter for the chance to win a trip for two to see the vibrant Kimberley wilderness with Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic as part of their support of the expedition. ABC Radio Sydney is the Media Partner for the exhibition.