Announcements: Shark Bay coming to Sea World Gold Coast

Posted at 9:10 AM EST (1410 GMT)

Apr. 1st, 2004 -- In a massive capital investment by the theme park’s owners, Village Roadshow and Warner Bros., the $13 million dollar Shark Bay, is set to further enhance the Gold Coast’s position as Australia’s family entertainment capital, by offering an experience unlike any other in the world.

History reflects a turbulent relationship between man and sharks - one of the world’s most feared predators.  Sharks are an apex predator and play a vital role in ensuring the balance of the ocean’s eco-system.  Shark Bay will reveal a new dimension of understanding and will unravel the mystery and misconception surrounding this majestic marine species. It will also play a major role in contributing to the understanding and appreciation of the Shark.

Complementing this very important educational role will be the exhibit’s use as a facility to undertake non-invasive, observational research, which will ultimately assist with the preservation of sharks in the world’s oceans.

Warner Village Theme Parks CEO, John Menzies believes the significant investment by the theme park Group’s owners demonstrates a belief in the Gold Coast’s enormous potential.

“The theme parks are ultimately the businesses which stimulate the holiday market with exciting attractions and extensive marketing. The whole Coast benefits, from accommodation to restaurants and transport.”

“Shark Bay will be a very strong drawcard for both domestic and international numbers and we are readying for a return of strength in both markets”.

The focus of Shark Bay is to provide the larger sharks with the most extensive pool surface area possible, utilising the entire area (1 hectare) between Polar Bear Shores and the Waterpark.

The two-level exhibit will provide spectacular viewing for guests both above-water as well as underwater through three 10 x 3 metre windows.

Shark Bay will comprise three main zones all allowing for unsurpassed viewing and interaction.

Inter-tidal Zone

As you enter Shark Bay you will be given the opportunity to interact with some of the inhabitants at the specially designed touch pools.

For $25 children will be able to take part in a Rock Pool Adventure where they will experience a shallow water encounter with the Shark Bay tidal pool inhabitants including clown fish, anemones, rays and sea stars.  This program also includes an educational talk on the animals and their environment. The Shark Bay Rock Pool Adventure has been designed for guests up to 10 years of age inclusive with a minimum height requirement of 110cm.

Reef Lagoon

This feature lagoon will be a reef-themed environment, housing some of the smaller shark species such as Leopard sharks, Blacktip Reef sharks, Nervous sharks, Epaulette sharks, together with Shovelnose rays, Cowtail ray, Moari Wrasse, Red Emperor, and a large variety of colourful reef fish and dwellers.

Here you will be able to scuba dive and snorkel amongst the sharks as part of a new set of dynamic interactive programs. Snorkellers and divers will also have the ability to learn about these magnificent marine animals as they make their way around the lagoon through an innovative underwater education signage trail.

A unique feature of the interactive programs is that the Reef Lagoon will be divided from the Shark Lagoon by two 10 x 3 metre acrylic windows, giving participants the feeling that they are swimming with the bigger sharks who are only centimetres away.

Prices for the programs will be Shark Snorkel $50 and Shark Scuba $85.  All participants will need to meet program criteria, and those wishing to scuba dive will also need to hold a current dive certificate.

For detailed information, including program criteria, for any of the Shark Bay interactive programs visit the website www.seaworld.com.au.

Shark Lagoon

The more sizable lagoon at Shark Bay will house the larger and potentially dangerous species including magnificent Tiger sharks.

The notable feature of this larger lagoon is that it will provide the sharks with the space to perform a 60 metre-long swim glide pattern, which is essential for larger sharks who use the glide movement to rest, and who have historically been difficult to house in smaller exhibits because of the tighter spaces.

The whole exhibit would not be possible without the expertise in water filtration that Australia’s Sea World has developed over its 30-year history.

The filtration system combines four filtration techniques used in the park already– mechanical, biological, chemical and UV technology.

The total water content of Shark Bay is 5.4 million litres which is turned over every 90 minutes.  That’s the equivalent to 1,000 one litre milk bottles being filtered every second.

Shark Bay is proudly presented by Optus.

Optus is committed to providing our community with the opportunity to learn about the environment in which we live.