Sharks are kept in public aquariums worldwide, raising welfare questions about space, social grouping, feeding, and the stress of public interactions. The most common species have different welfare profiles and space requirements.
Shark welfare in aquariums requires species-by-species assessment rather than blanket conclusions. Some species - particularly bottom-dwelling elasmobranchs - can be maintained in conditions compatible with good welfare. Pelagic species with high swimming requirements and large natural ranges cannot be kept humanely regardless of tank size. The conservation argument for shark aquarium exhibits is more tenuous than for many vertebrates - most shark species do not breed successfully in captivity and cannot be reintroduced to wild populations. Welfare-positive shark aquarium programs focus on appropriate species selection, space provision, environmental complexity, and management of public interaction to minimize stress.