Large sharks and rays in public aquaria require substantial space, appropriate environmental conditions, and social management. Their welfare science is less developed than for many species but growing in importance.
Shark and ray welfare in captive settings remains an area of developing understanding. The stereotypic circling observed in sharks in inadequate enclosures is the most visible welfare indicator, reflecting locomotor frustration in animals adapted for extended swimming. Some species, particularly great hammerhead sharks, have such high mortality rates in captivity that their exhibition is increasingly considered unacceptable by welfare-aware institutions. Rays in touch-pool settings face the combined stressors of shallow water, high visitor density, and repeated contact that may cause chronic stress. The electrosensory system of elasmobranchs creates an additional concern absent in teleost fishes: electrical fields from pumps and life support equipment may create constant sensory stimulation analogous to persistent noise exposure. Developing welfare assessment tools specific to elasmobranchs is a priority for aquarium welfare science.