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Shark Awareness Day

Join us in celebrating Shark Awareness Day and help raise awareness of the threats facing sharks and how you can help protect them!

Tuesday

July 2026

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEJuly 14

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYAnimals

SUBCATEGORYWildlife

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Get ready to celebrate Shark Awareness Day on July 14! This day was created in order to raise awareness and appreciation for these incredible creatures. Sharks have been around since before the dinosaurs, with estimates saying they've existed for more than 400 million years! They are incredibly powerful predators that play a vital role in keeping our oceans healthy.

TIMELINE

Shark Awareness Day Timeline

Earliest Shark Studies

Scientific focus on sharks increased during this period, leading to the study of shark anatomy, behavior and distribution.

"Jaws" Released

Steven Spielberg's thriller "Jaws" was released, involving a man-eating Great White Shark, which ignited public fascination and fear of sharks.

Shark Conservation Begins

The first shark sanctuary was established by Palau to protect sharks from overfishing and promoting their conservation.

UN Agreement on Shark Conservation

United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization adopted an International Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks.

"Sharkwater" Documentary Released

The award winning documentary raised awareness of the devastating impact of shark finning, resulting in bans in several countries.

Shark Awareness Day Established

Shark Awareness Day was established to raise awareness and advocate for the preservation and protection of sharks globally.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate Shark Awareness Day

Watch a documentary

Take the time to learn more about sharks and their importance in the ocean ecosystem by tuning into a documentary about them. There are many available to watch online or on television.

ORGANIZE

Organize a beach cleanup

Help protect sharks by organizing a local beach cleanup. This will help remove trash and debris from the beach which can be harmful to sharks, and other marine life.

DONATE

Donate to a shark conservation group

Donating money to organizations that are dedicated to protecting sharks is an easy way to celebrate Shark Awareness Day. Research reputable organizations such as WildAid or Oceana and make a donation.

HOST

Host a shark movie night

Invite friends over for Shark Awareness Day and host a shark movie night. Have everyone bring snacks and watch one of the classic shark movies, such as Jaws or Deep Blue Sea.

ATTEND

Attend a local aquarium

Visit your local aquarium or zoo and take in some of the awesome species of sharks on display there. You can learn more about sharks in their natural habitat and even have the chance to touch them in some cases.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why Shark Awareness Day is Important

To Boost Advocacy for Sharks

Shark Awareness Day also helps amplify voices advocating for sharks. By bringing attention to this cause, we can encourage governments around the world to take action and implement better laws and regulations regarding conservation efforts and protection measures for sharks.

To Raise Awareness About Shark Conservation

Shark Awareness day is an important reminder of the need for shark conservation. Sharks are vital to their ecosystems and help maintain the balance of the oceans. By bringing awareness to their plight, we can ensure that these delicate species remain protected and have a chance of survival.

To help Educate the Public about Sharks

One of the goals of Shark Awareness Day is to educate people about sharks and dispel common myths and misconceptions. Many people fear sharks due to their portrayal in movies or stories, but with more understanding comes more respect for this fascinating creature.