MSU’s Shark Club works to educate people and banish the fear surrounding sharks in addition to showing how interesting the animal is.
To do so, the group holds activities and meetings to spark interest and create discussion.
One of those events being Shark Night, which was held Friday, Nov. 20 at IM Sports-Circle and a collaboration with the University Activities Board.
Tasha Christensen, the president of the Shark Club and zoology sophomore, said the purpose of the night was to help get rid of the negative image surrounding sharks.
“The purpose of Shark Night was to educate campus about the reality of what is happening to sharks, and they’re not the monsters or a man-eating machine,” Christensen said. “They take a cautious approach to the world around them, and will only approach you if they trust you.”
Attendees were able to swim, learn about sharks and watch a documentary titled “Sharkwater,” which was about shark finning, the killing of sharks and the importance of sharks.
The event was based off the Discovery Channel’s Shark Week, which is dedicated to showing programs related to shark conservation and education.
Christensen said the club holds other events and discussions to help promote a positive image for sharks and show people the animal is not to be afraid of.
“Shark Club is a group of shark advocates that aims to educate campus about the conservation of sharks through conservation events like Shark Night and by holding regular meetings in which we bring in speakers to share their knowledge of sharks,” Christensen said.
The Shark Club hopes of having more conversation events in the near future and collaborating with other groups on campus such as the Scuba Club.
Anyone of any major is welcome to join Shark Club if they have a passion for sharks and want to know more about the animal.
“We have members of all majors in our club,” Christensen said. “This club is for those seeking a career in shark conservation or those who are looking to situate their passion for sharks.”
Christensen said the overall goal of the Shark Club is to put an end to the negative stigma surrounding sharks and teach accurate information to the public so the media doesn’t influence their perception of the animal.
“The people who join would be impacted by possibly changing their own views of these creatures, or by learning more about them,” Christensen said.
