An Ambassador for His Species

One issue that has reoccurred over the past few years is whether or not great white sharks should be held in captivity. I believe that as long as the shark is not being harmed while in captivity, it is okay for them to be held in facilities such as the Monetary Bay Aquarium. Keeping an animal, like this shark, in a safe environment like this can be beneficial to both the shark and people. In an aquarium, this great white is not being exposed to the dangers of the open sea, and it is in an excellent setting for research. Great whites are misunderstood creatures, and in order to address this issue, they need to be researched and I believe that this is an ethical way to achieve this. The definition of an ambassador is “an accredited diplomat sent by a country as its official representative to a foreign country.” While a shark is not necessarily a “diplomat” or from a “foreign country,” it is acting as a representative of it’s kind from a place that is different from where we live. Through the study of this shark, we can better understand others of this species and it’s natural environment. While I am not against the idea of this great white being held in this aquarium, I do believe it has its limits. According to past experiences, the other sharks that have been brought to the aquarium have not lasted over six and a half months, and have stayed for as short as eleven days. As long as the circumstances are right and safe, I believe that the captivity of this animal is fine.