Sharks at Blue Planet Aquarium may tune in to heavy metal

A touch of the Pete Townshend’s has added a new string to the Blue Planet Aquarium’s shiver of sharks.

The pair of bizarre-looking blackchin guitarfish are the newest addition to the attraction’s growing collection.

The bottom-dwelling sharks, which get their name from their guitar-like body shape, are set to make their first public appearance over the October half term holidays as part of the ‘Blue Planet Rocks’ event (October 24 – November 1).

The aquarium, which has one of the largest collections of sharks and rays in Europe, suggests new research has shown great white sharks react positively to music, particularly heavy metal and staff have decided to test the theory for themselves.

Phil Jones, marketing executive at the Aquarium, said: “As well as playing a variety of different music in our underwater tunnel to see if we get any reaction from the sharks, some of our dive team are also planning to test out their air guitar skills underwater. We’ve even persuaded a few of the more musical members of staff to perform,” said Phil Jones at the popular feature.

“Even the less-musically gifted among us are planning to join in the fun by dressing up as our favourite rock stars and we’re inviting visitors to get involved as well.

“We are offering one free child admission per standard ticket bought on the day for every child who arrives in 70s or 80s rock fancy dress throughout the event.”

According to experts filmed for a recent documentary on the Discovery Channel’s Shark Week the dense tones of heavy metal music attract sharks because they mimic the low frequency sounds made by an injured fish.

“If proved correct this means that when a shark hears music at the right frequency it’s like somebody rang the dinner bell,” said Phil.

Blackchin guitarfish can grow to more than 2m in length. Found in the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean the species spends much of its time living on the sea floor where it feeds on fish and invertebrates.

Blue Planet Aquarium is home to a large collection of sharks from sand tigers and stingrays to whitetip reef sharks and whitenose guitarfish.

Sharks at Blue Planet Aquarium may tune in to heavy metal

Aquarium's rocking to the tune of £11000

LEFT TO RIGHT: David Gibson, Paul Cox and Mitch Tonks

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A PLYMOUTH restaurateur has donated £11,000 to the National Marine Aquarium – and says it’s all thanks to his customers.

Mitch Tonks, who owns the seafood restaurant next door to the tourist attraction, recently made the headlines when he opened his doors to a group of disadvantaged children and fed them for free.

But the restaurant’s kindhearted ethos doesn’t stop there.

Back in April, Rockfish added a £1 voluntary donation to customers’ bills with all contributions going to the Aquarium.

Mr Tonks handed over the hefty cheque to the Aquarium earlier this month – with the money being used to support the charity in its aims to promote understanding of the sea through education, conservation and research.

Rockfish serves up a wide range of seafood, most of which is sustainably sourced and certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), with much coming straight from local fishermen.

Dr David Gibson, managing director at the National Marine Aquarium, said: “We were thrilled when the restaurant chose to support the Aquarium earlier this year with this scheme, and to now receive a donation of £11,000 is truly brilliant.

“We share many of Rockfish’s values when it comes to helping preserve the marine environment, sourcing only the best sustainable seafood and keep fish stocks at healthy levels, so it is fantastic that the customer donations will be used to support our marine conservation projects to help us achieve our aims.”

Mr Tonks added: “We’re already big supporters of the Fishermen’s Mission charity and the work they do but wanted to work closely with a charity in Plymouth, and we love the work that the National Marine Aquarium is doing.

“With its focus on sustainability and conservation it seemed to be the perfect fit.

“The £1 is optional for diners and we can’t believe how generous our guests have been about this so it is thanks to them that we can make this donation”.

Aquarium"s rocking to the tune of £11000