HRI and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Spark Shark Curiosity and Conservation Awareness During Shark Week 2025
Ask 9-year-old Lucas Rivera about sharks, and his eyes light up, revealing a passion that is hard to match.
“They fascinate me,” said Rivera, who is from San Juan, a city in Texas’ Rio Grande Valley. “They are really intelligent, and they’ve been here longer than dinosaurs. The way they’ve been able to adapt so quickly is fascinating because they really are the rulers of the seas.”
Rivera was one of about 150 people, including his mother, Crystal Rivera, who attended the “Let’s Talk Sharks” presentation at the Texas State Aquarium on July 25. The event featured Dr. Kesley Banks ’19, an Associate Research Scientist for the Center for Sportfish Science and Conservation (CSSC) at the Harte Research Institute (HRI) at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (TAMU-CC).
Rivera learned more about sharks, including how specific species are able to eat crabs, and left the presentation even more passionate about these apex predators and the importance of shark conservation.
“We (humans) basically just got here, and if you actually think about it, sharks and a bunch of animals have been here for a long time,” said Rivera, a 4th grader at Sorenson Elementary in San Juan. “They have learned to evolve quickly.”
In addition to local events, HRI scientists shared their experience with a national audience through appearances on Discovery Channel’s Shark Week programming, reinforcing the institute’s leadership in shark research and conservation.
The annual “Let’s Talk Sharks” event — which this year focused on the legacy of the movie Jaws after 50 years — was part of a busy Shark Week 2025 for the CSSC, HRI, and TAMU-CC. The event has grown into much more than a celebration of one of the ocean’s most iconic species — it has become a platform for education, outreach, and community engagement.
Through interactive programs and creative campus involvement, the week sparks curiosity and fosters a deeper understanding of marine conservation across all ages.
“Inspiring ocean stewards is at the heart of what we do,” Banks said. “When a young student walks away from one of the Shark Week events more passionate and informed about conservation, that’s a powerful reminder of why this work matters.”
The week began with the launch of the Fin Finder shark tracker — an innovative collaboration between HRI, outdoor apparel company AFTCO, and the Coastal Conservation Association — and included a unique community event at a Corpus Christi Hooks baseball game, where Banks threw a near-perfect first pitch.
Along with Banks’ first pitch, CSSC researchers were on hand to inform fans about sharks and their research, while also offering a few giveaways along the way. The shark-themed event was even innovative in the world of minor league baseball, where executives are working to find creative ways to promote their local communities.
“We want to continue to partner with ideas that are unique to the local area because there are only a handful of communities and markets that have an institute like the Harte Research Institute,” said Hooks General Manager Brady Ballard. “We want to promote the uniqueness of what this area has to offer.”
On campus, departments decorated offices to reflect fin-tastic spirit, students had an opportunity to present their research, and Break in the Day gave faculty and staff a chance to gather — not only for some good food, but also to learn more about Shark Week and its importance.
“Whether it’s tracking sharks, presenting research, or simply decorating offices, every activity helps connect people to the importance of marine ecosystems and the role we all play in protecting them,” said Dr. Greg Stunz, HRI’s Senior Executive Director. “Shark Week continues to grow at TAMU-CC, and it allows us an opportunity to let the community know about the work being done and to inspire future scientists and conservationists along the way.”
Shark Week offers a chance to broaden understanding of marine life, highlight the importance of protecting our ocean ecosystems, and feed the passion so many have for sharks.
“My favorite reason for loving sharks is that they don’t stop, and that’s my personal mantra, and what I love about them,” said 26-year-old Cassie Reyna, who works for the Hooks and is from Corpus Christi. “I think they are super powerful and misunderstood. I’m wanting to share that excitement.”