Sharks and rays have lived in our Ocean for millions of years, yet human activity has put them at risk in just a few decades. Could public exhibits and knowledge-sharing help turn the tide?

Overfishing, habitat destruction, and climate change have pushed marine wildlife and ecosystems to the brink, with nearly 90% of ocean species affected. More than a third of sharks, rays, and chimeras face extinction and many Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRAs) remain unprotected.

Protecting these species isn’t just about policies – it’s also about people. When communities, educators, universities and cultural centers engage with marine life, conservation becomes personal. That’s why we create interactive exhibits, bold visuals, and hands-on learning experiences that highlight why sharks and rays matter and how everyone can help.

At MarAlliance, we believe that knowledge leads to action. Through storytelling, science, and public engagement, we’re making marine conservation accessible and inspiring a new wave of ocean advocates.

MarAlliance’s booth at Reef Fair Belize. Our team member is engaging kids in shark education, giving them a close-up look at shark jaws. CC MarAlliance

The Power of Education in Conservation

It is well known that when information is engaging, relatable, and relevant, people are more likely to pay attention, learn, and take action. Well-designed exhibits are powerful tools for closing knowledge gaps and inspiring conservation efforts.

For example, a study on deep-sea education found that while many visitors were curious about deep-sea life, they were unaware of human activities like deep-sea mining and its environmental risks. This highlights the need for exhibits that not only capture interest but also provide policy-relevant information that empowers action.

Effective exhibits also cater to different learning styles. Research shows that interactive and immersive elements enhance engagement, making learning more memorable. But to drive real change, exhibits must go beyond passive displays. They need to foster personal connections, helping visitors understand the issue, see their role in the solution, and believe their actions matter.

Our groundbreaking exhibit debuted at Honduras’s Museum of National Identity, spotlighting the indispensable role of sharks in the nation’s ecosystem. CC MarAlliance

Models like the Theory of Planned Behavior and the Value-Belief-Norm Model show that when people feel informed and emotionally invested, they are more likely to take meaningful conservation steps. It’s not just about sharing facts – it’s about creating experiences that inspire action.

Bringing Conservation to Life

In Honduras, we piloted the region’s first shark and ray exhibition in partnership with the EduMin program at the Museum of National Identity. Over just 8 days, 400 students from 8 schools visited the exhibit, engaging with marine biology students who served as guides. Their curiosity and enthusiasm reaffirmed the power of interactive education in shaping the next generation of ocean advocates. Though the pandemic cut the exhibition short, it had the potential to reach over 120 schools in its full three-month run, demonstrating the strong demand for marine education in the region.

This year, we are excited to announce a new partnership with the Save Our Seas Foundation, launching an immersive educational initiative to inspire action for endangered sharks and rays across Honduras, Belize, and Panama. With a special focus on hammerheads and the last lifeboat populations of sawfish, this project will raise awareness, drive behavioral change, and promote lasting shark conservation efforts in the regions.

This initiative directly tackles key regional challenges – reducing shark and ray consumption in Honduras, increasing awareness in Belize, and addressing public misconceptions about shark fishing in Panama – empowering communities to take an active role in conservation.

Through this collaboration, we aim to transform public education into a powerful force for change, ensuring a future where sharks and rays can thrive.

How Can We Make Exhibits More Impactful?

We believe that education should be engaging, interactive, and memorable. That’s why our education and outreach projects are designed to spark curiosity and transform learning into action.

• Experiential learning: Virtual reality (VR) dives like our VR180 experience, Jump In with Caribbean Reef Sharks in Roatan, Honduras (view here), offer visitors the chance to “swim” alongside sharks. This immersive experience not only sparks awe but also deepens understanding by allowing people to virtually engage with marine life in a way traditional displays can’t match.
• Hands-on activities: Interactive models and live demonstrations create emotional connections with marine life.
• Storytelling: Real conservation success stories – like rescued sharks or thriving marine reserves – help visitors see the direct impact of action and feel a sense of responsibility.
• Social influence: Pledge walls, signature campaigns, where visitors commit to sustainable actions, reinforce positive behaviors.
• Gamification: Interactive challenges and quizzes motivate visitors to understand their impact and take meaningful steps toward conservation.

The “Prestá tu Voz al Tiburón” (Lend Your Voice to Sharks) campaign in Honduras was designed to rally support for shark and ray conservation within the sanctuary’s boundaries while discouraging demand for illegally sourced meat.. CC MarAlliance

In our efforts to reach a wider audience, we’ve also embraced the digital world. By designing a MetaVerse Exhibit in Spatial, we’ve broken geographic boundaries, allowing people from all over the world to experience our exhibits remotely. This virtual platform enables global access to our work, making it possible for anyone, anywhere, to connect with and learn about sharks, rays, and marine conservation.

Our Metaverse exhibit immerses users in marine conservation through interactive visuals and videos on marine megafauna. CC MarAlliance

By integrating these interactive and technological innovations into our exhibits, we create experiences that do more than inform – we inspire. Our goal is to transform passive viewers into active conservation advocates, empowering them to take action on behalf of marine life, whether they’re in the countries where we work or anywhere else in the world.

Education is key to conservation, and when done right, public exhibits can help shape a future where sharks and rays continue to thrive in our oceans. Whether through VR shark dives, public pledges, or immersive storytelling, exhibits become catalysts for change – pathways that connect people to the ocean and inspire action.

Students immersing themselves in the world of Caribbean reef sharks in Roatán, Honduras, through VR180. CC MarAlliance

Because in the end, nothing compares to the look of amazement on a child’s face when they learn about the species in their waters, the impact of conservation on coastal communities, or the surprising similarities between humans and sharks. And that is the true power of educational exhibits – to spark curiosity, open minds, and ignite a lifelong passion for protecting our oceans.