SHARKS: On Assignment with Brian Skerry Exhibition Now Open at Mote Marine Laboratory

February 28, 2022 – Sarasota

Mote Aquarium visitors now have the opportunity to come face-to-face or, rather, face-to-nose with one of the world’s most awe-inspiring predators in the new photography exhibition “SHARKS: On Assignment with Brian Skerry,” which opened to the public on Sunday, Feb. 27. National Geographic Explorer and award-winning photojournalist Brian Skerry has spent more than 10,000 hours underwater exploring the world’s oceans with a camera to show why sharks need to be protected and appreciated as an integral species within the ecosystem. The exhibition gallery, located in the WAVE Center at Mote, includes large-scale images—all highlighting Skerry’s passion, skill and life-long commitment to the conservation of the world’s oceans. “SHARKS: On Assignment with Brian Skerry” will remain open at Mote until August 7, 2022. The exhibition is included in Mote Aquarium admission and free for Mote Members and is sponsored locally in part by Sarasota County Tourist Development Tax revenues.

SHARKS: On Assignment with Brian Skerry allows visitors to dive into the depths of the oceans to view 16 species of sharks, including tiger sharks, great white sharks, oceanic whitetips and more, while learning about each species’ habitat and threats they face. Guests will also learn more about Skerry and some of the extreme techniques he’s undertaken to capture his images. 

“Sharks represent an endless well of inspiration, a blend of grace and power that lures me into the sea time and time again in hopes of producing a new rendering that truly captures their essence,” says Skerry. “As a journalist, I’m driven by a sense of responsibility and a sense of urgent need to broadcast that sharks are in trouble and need our help.”

“We’re excited to showcase this exhibition and provide our guests with a new way to learn about our oceans through the power of photography,” said Evan Barniskis, Mote Associate Vice President for the Aquarium. “Since Mote’s founding in 1955, our shark researchers have dedicated their careers to teaching people the importance of sharks and helping to shift perceptions, so this exhibition is a perfect fit with the work we’re already doing.” 

“This exhibition is another example of the ways in which National Geographic uses its powerful storytelling to make a meaningful impact on conservation efforts,” said National Geographic Society’s vice president of public programming, Kathryn Keane. “Brian’s life story and his powerful photographs take the standard perception of these feared and iconic predators and turn it on its head. Through their sheer majesty and beauty, his photographs help us gain a deeper understanding of the world’s sharks and see them in an entirely new light.”

Award-winning photojournalist and conservationist, Brian Skerry has dedicated his life to telling the story of marine wildlife and underwater environments—from tropical coral reefs to polar ice. While on assignment, he’s lived on the bottom of the sea, spent months aboard fishing boats, and traveled in everything from snowmobiles to canoes to the Goodyear Blimp to get the picture. A National Geographic magazine photographer since 1998, Skerry’s work has also appeared in a wide range of other prestigious outlets, including BBC Wildlife, U.S. News & World Report and Sports Illustrated. He’s won the coveted Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition 11 times, in addition to many other prizes. In 2014, he was named a National Geographic Photography Fellow and in 2015, a Nikon Ambassador. Additionally, Skerry was honored as the Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year at the 2017 National Geographic Explorers Festival in Washington, D.C.

Skerry’s remarkable photographs can be taken home in a beautiful National Geographic book aptly titled: SHARK, which is available for purchase at Mote’s gift shop. The book contains 250 photographs in which he’s captured the beauty and power of great white, whitetip, tiger and mako sharks. The book serves as an intimate portrait of an elusive predator and an important reminder of the integral role sharks play in the life of our oceans.

SHARKS is organized and traveled by National Geographic Society.