![]() Nicoletti said he hopes the experience will engage and inspire visitors. Often, visitors can also watch marine biologists and scuba divers feeding, interacting with and caring for the aquatic animals. The bridge, which is included with general admission, is accessible in an area that was previously closed to the public, providing a behind-the-scenes look at the daily activity in the tank, which includes operation of the massive life-support system that keeps Shark Realm running. “I thought a shark was going to come and bite me,” the little boy said. He crossed with his father, Tetsushi, and sister, Miyuki, 9. Hiroki, 6, had conquered his initial fear of walking over the sharks and was thrilled by his accomplishment. The Dan family of Wayne, Passaic County, was all smiles when the crossing was completed. While the bridge frightened at least one small child, who was crying by the time he reached the end, most young visitors seemed happy to experience it. “It didn’t bother the sharks’ environment at all,” she said. Nicole Grandinetti, curator of fish and invertebrates, said construction of the bridge had no known impact on the sharks in the tank, and no materials entered the water. "Most guys aren't used to working around sharks." "Anytime we had construction workers on the dock, we had husbandry staff here," Hess said. ![]() As a precaution, staff trained in handling sharks stood by, ready to assist if a problem arose. "There were too many to pull out," he said.Ī floating raft, handrails, scaffolding and life vests protected workers, while the raft also prevented debris from falling into the tank. According to Douglas Hess, the project manager for Shark Bridge, the animals remained in the water the entire time the attraction was being built. In addition to the bridge, the popular Shark Realm tank features a transparent tunnel that allows visitors to walk through it, as well as more traditional viewing areas.īuilding the bridge presented unique challenges to contractors. The aquarium features more than 8,500 species. Karen Fleming and Robyn Jarman agreed, and the group, including 2-year-old Madison Jarman, joined the queue to take another turn crossing the bridge. “Can we go again?” they asked their mothers. Both girls said they liked walking over the sharks. As they completed their initial walk from one end to the other, 5-year-old Kathryn Fleming, of Mount Laurel, and Olivia Jarman, 4½, of Moorestown, were excited. ![]() On opening day, school groups and young children were among the first to cross over the V-shaped bridge. Through a loudspeaker, they'll hear information about the tank, different breeds of sharks and other relevant data. The educational nature of the exhibit extends to those waiting in line. Many plastics and other materials used by humans end up in waters that are home to aquatic life, including sharks, he said. “Shark Bridge will leverage a thrilling experience to encourage guests to make a connection between themselves, the sharks, and what they can do to help long after their visit to Adventure Aquarium.”Īccording to Nicoletti, the staff wants to motivate people to think and act with conservation in mind. “We hope to engage and inspire our guests to revere, not fear, these majestic and misunderstood creatures,” said Vince Nicoletti, executive director and vice president of the aquarium. Instead, aquarium staff is hoping the up-close experience will help to dispel some of visitors' reservations about the sand tigers, nurse sharks and sandbar tigers swimming beneath them. Shark Bridge, which opened to the public April 8, provides an opportunity to cross over the top of the popular 550,000-gallon Shark Realm tank and view the aquatic life swimming underneath.īuilt with nearly 4 tons of steel and enough rope to span the length of 63 football fields, the 81-foot bridge isn't designed to be intimidating. A narrow walkway suspended above shark-infested water is giving a unique thrill and a fresh perspective to visitors at Adventure Aquarium in Camden.
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