The NC Aquarium on the Outer Banks has a massive “Graveyard of the Atlantic” exhibit that consists of a 285,000 gallon tank and a variety of sharks.  Ten years after the renovated and enlarged aquarium reopened, the sharks remain the most popular of its exhibits.  The exhibit, including a 300 pound sand tiger shark, is already one of the most popular stops at the aquarium, but it’s about to become even more popular. 

By summer 2010, OBX visitors that venture over to the aquarium will see some additional sharks and additional shark exhibits.  The aquarium is planning to open $75,000 worth of new shark exhibits.

The planned exhibits include:

• Three new sharks already added to the big tank, and more are expected in the coming months.  
• Sharks to replace the audio-visual display about storms that had been in the changing exhibit room.
• Small sharks called chain dogfish to be displayed in a saltwater gallery tank.
• Interactive games, photo opportunities and a touch tank are being discussed as possibilities.
• Tropical fish that are commonly called sharks but are not – for instance, rainbow sharks, red tail sharks, and bala sharks – to be displayed in the freshwater gallery.