‘City of the Shark’ Swims Into the San Francisco Ocean Film Festival

World Premiere of Documentary by David McGuire Highlights Aquarium of the Bay’s Landmark Sevengill Shark Research Program

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 10 /PRNewswire/ — Joining a prestigious lineup of ocean and environmentally-conscious films, “City of the Shark” will premiere at the 2009 San Francisco Ocean Film Festival on Saturday, February 21. The short documentary, created by Bay Area filmmaker and shark conservationist David McGuire, will debut during a special block of shark-focused films.

“San Francisco has a vibrant arts community, iconic architecture and bridges, but we forget what really shapes this City: the San Francisco Bay and its diverse ecosystems and unique marine life, including sharks,” said filmmaker David McGuire. “‘City of the Shark’ reminds us that sharks are here, shows how we are impacting them, and shares the steps some are taking to protect our rich and diverse marine life.”

“City of the Shark” dives into the enigmatic shark species living beneath the waves of the San Francisco Bay. The documentary provides a close-up look at local species, focusing on the sevengill shark; accompanies scientists out on the Bay; and shares an overall look into the state of the local shark species and the issues that endanger their existence. Since July of 2008, researchers from Aquarium of the Bay Foundation and UC Davis have conducted groundbreaking research on sevengill sharks, using acoustic tagging to monitor and learn more about the species.

Following the shark block of films, McGuire will lead a panel discussion on myths and misconceptions surrounding local and international shark species. For additional information on the film festival, visit www.oceanfilmfest.org. A trailer for “City of the Shark” can be found at www.aquariumofthebay.com.

About Aquarium of the Bay

Aquarium of the Bay is a unique nature center dedicated to creating experiences that inspire conservation of the San Francisco Bay and all marine environments. It is the only aquarium featuring exhibits focused specifically on the rich and diverse aquatic life and distinctive ecosystems of the Bay and its surrounding waters. The Aquarium is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and certified as a Green Business by the city of San Francisco. Additional information is available at www.aquariumofthebay.com.

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Christina Slager

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SOURCE Aquarium of the Bay