Recent News

13 International Sea Cadets Visit Bermuda
Thursday, July 10, 2014

The Bermuda Sea Cadet Corps is once again hosting its annual International Exchange programme, welcoming a group of senior cadets and their escort officers from the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States.


Reef Watch survey reveals lack of marine predators
Wednesday, July 09, 2014

While Bermuda’s coral reefs are relatively healthy, there are concerns about a lack of fish such as grouper and snapper.


Making the case for parrot fish — and those plucky Costa Ricans
Wednesday, July 09, 2014

On Saturday I stepped back in time when I was taken to the Bermuda Aquarium Museum & Zoo by two of my children.


Island delights visiting students
Friday, July 04, 2014

The Atlantic Conservation Partnership (ACP) and the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum, and Zoo (BAMZ) recently hosted 12 students and two professors from a Florida college as part of their Coastal Environmental Science major study abroad course


Reef Watch 2014 Hailed A Marine Success
Thursday, July 03, 2014

On Saturday, June 28, the Bermuda Zoological Society [BZS], along with lead sponsor Hiscox, hosted the second annual Reef Watch Citizen Science initiative, which supports the work of the Bermuda Reef Ecosystem Analysis and Monitoring [BREAM] programme, led by chief scientist Dr. Thaddeus Murdoch.



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Latest News

All the latest updates and news from the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum, and Zoo, one of Bermuda's leading visitor attractions!

Ministry On Sightings Of Hammerhead Shark
Bernews
Wednesday, June 06, 2018


Following the most recent shark sighting at Shelly Bay, the Ministry said it is likely the same one as seen over the past few months and said that while there is no need for alarm, “under no circumstances should anyone attempt to approach or handle the shark in any way.”

The Ministry said, “On Sunday 4th June, 2018, the Ministry of Home Affairs was alerted to a shark sighting at Shelly Bay through social media and direct phone calls. An Officer attended the scene within 30 minutes of being alerted but the shark had already departed the area.

“The films circulating on social media indicate that the shark is a hammerhead [Sphyrna sp.] although an exact identification of species is not possible. The animal appears to be the same size as previous sightings over the past few months, and is likely the same animal.

“While sightings of sharks are rare in inshore Bermuda waters, especially along our beaches, it is not unheard of and there are a number of accounts in the records.

“The Ministry would like to state that there is no need for alarm in these types of events. Out of an abundance of caution, it is recommended that swimmers exit the water in a calm manner and wait for the animal to leave the area before entering again. Under no circumstances should anyone attempt to approach or handle the shark in any way.

Video circulating:

 

“Hammerheads are typically not aggressive to humans unless provoked and account for zero fatalities annually. There are only a few instances of unprovoked attacks in all the records worldwide and these have all been attributed to much larger animals than the one sighted.

“It is not known why this animal is moving around Bermuda’s inshore water but it is likely due to the abundance of prey items notably fish, rays, crustaceans and cephalopods such as squid and octopus.

“There are nine species of hammerhead sharks globally with several species classified as endangered on the World Conservation Union’s [IUCN] 2008 Red List of Threatened Species, meaning that they are facing a very high risk of extinction due to human impacts and activities.

“The public can contact the Bermuda Aquarium & Museum and Zoo at 293-2727 or https://environment.bm/contact to a report a shark sighting inshore.”

Last month, local expert Choy Aming had made a similar point, saying he is “almost positive that the same hammerhead is being spotted repeatedly.”