The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) Center for Fisheries and Research Development (CFRD) and the Mississippi Aquarium are gearing up for Shark Weekend, set for Saturday July 26, and Sunday, July 27. CFRD has collaborated with the Aquarium on this fin-tastic event since the Aquarium opened five years ago.
During the two-day event, Aquarium visitors will have the opportunity to stop at interactive stations throughout the facility to learn fun facts about sharks, explore shark research conducted by USM, and discover more about the shark species that inhabit Mississippi’s coastal waters.
Dr. Jill Hendon, CFRD director, looks forward to the event each year.
“Shark Weekend is our favorite time of the year, and we are honored to continue collaborating with the Mississippi Aquarium on this event,” said Hendon. “It is so exciting to see all the shark lovers out there, and we hope to help spread the word on how important sharks are to our coast.”
The Mississippi Aquarium shares that enthusiasm.
“Sharks are some of the ocean’s most fascinating and important predators, helping to keep marine ecosystems balanced and healthy,” said Hadiya White, vice president of guest experience and education at the aquarium. “Despite their tough reputation, many shark species are threatened due to overfishing, habitat loss and misconceptions. By learning more about these incredible animals, we can better understand their role in the ocean and take action to protect them for future generations.”
Hendon’s team has conducted population assessments on sharks for more than two decades.
“Mississippi’s coastal waters have some of the greatest shark diversity in the entire Gulf,” said Hendon.
In addition to population studies, CFRD researchers also examine age, growth, reproduction, diet and movement studies on these fish. They work with state, federal and community partners to use this critical data to help create management strategies.
Shark Weekend isn’t the only time the public can get involved in shark science at Southern Miss. The university offers hands-on shark experiences for enthusiasts of all ages:
- Sea Camp: A fun, weeklong day camp for elementary students, held each summer.
- Shark Fest: A summer day camp for middle and high school students, featuring real research cruises conducted by CFRD.
- Shark Biology: A four-week, six-credit undergraduate/graduate field course offered as part of USM’s Summer Field Program. Students live on-site and take a deep dive into both classroom and field lessons on sharks and rays.
Hendon recently completed teaching the 2025 Shark Biology course, which welcomed students from nine institutions across eight states. These newest “sharkologists” will take part in Shark Weekend activities.
If you are a shark lover, we hope to see you at the Aquarium for Shark Weekend! Registration is not required for the event, but general admission to the Aquarium is necessary to attend.