Living Sharks Museum

07/14/2026

It’s Shark Awareness Day, and we’re excited to tease the completion of a project that’s been in the works for some time… Living Sharks Magazine! This is a short run collector’s magazine in print that will focus on shark science and conservation. This first issue will be available this summer, with the formal release date being announced during Shark Week!

Our mission has also always been to use Living Sharks Museum as a platform to elevate the work of other researchers and conservationists. Living Sharks Magazine will provide yet another venue for that cause.

To kick it off, the Summer 2026 issue features contributed articles by Alexandre Carrier, Lauren Romeiro, MJ Algarra, Ryan Dacko, Meaghan Sorce, Cash Daniels and more! We hope you’re excited about this too!

07/09/2026

Uncovering the secrets of the Basking Shark’s bizarre skin

New research reveals the unusual shape, size and pattern of the dermal denticles that cover basking sharks – thought to be unique to this species. Researchers propose that the shape and arrangement of the skin’s scales protects the skin while also allowing for the stretchiness required t...

07/03/2026

Come find out! Living Sharks Museum is open for the holiday in downtown Westerly, RI. Always free admission (and cool AC!)

July 3 - 10AM-8PM
July 4 - 10AM-5PM

Come visit America’s first shark history museum with artifacts from all over the world detailing the story of the shark! Learn about current shark science and conservation gear and methods, as well as a little something for the Jaws fans!

07/02/2026

Holy Mola! Thank you for sharing all your videos and messages with us yesterday regarding the alleged shark spotted off Misquamicut Beach in Westerly, RI! After reviewing everyone’s messages, we were able to conclude that Westerly had a visit from an Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola), not a shark.

Sunfish are mistaken for sharks a few times per year off Westerly beaches. While their fins are not as rigid as many shark species, they can still appear rigid and reminiscent of shark fins. These photos taken by Keith M. Cowley show a sunfish fin off the Cape looking almost triangular while swimming vertical, close to shore.

Ocean Sunfish are the heaviest bony fish on Earth, visiting our coastal waters in the summer to feed on comb jellies and jellyfish!

06/30/2026

06/19/2026

Living Sharks Museum will be CLOSED this weekend (6/20-21) as we are special guests at the Return to Amity events on Martha’s Vineyard!

Normal hours will resume next week. Apologies for any inconveniences!

06/08/2026

World Ocean Day! 🦈🌊 What you can do every day:

🔹Document. See concerning behavior by marinelife or humans? Take notes! Report the trends. Sometimes something small isn’t small at all.

🔹Use your voice. Stand up for vulnerable marinelife and habitats. Choose your platform carefully to assess if your efforts will have a functional impact.

🔹Follow the facts. In a world of virtual bombardment, it’s easy to be influenced by skewed information. Investigate the sources!

🔹Get political. Most action takes foot in policy. Be open to learning all perspectives of each issue and the impacts of decision-making.

🔹Discover your own ocean story. No matter where you live, the ocean has provided for you and you have a personal connection to it. Learn to tell that story and seek out new chapters.

🔹Give back. Find ways in your community to improve ocean health, through daily commitments and acts of conservation. Protect your watersheds, recycle or make smart seafood choices.

Share this message and make waves!
Words & Image by Keith M. Cowley

05/17/2026

A Porbeagle Shark stranded this morning up near Billington in Point Judith Pond here in Rhode Island. A rescue attempted by the fishermen who discovered it, Bill Huggins, but it did not survive. A necropsy was conducted before being towed back out to sea.

Video shared with permission.

04/17/2026

A lot happening behind the scenes… Living Sharks Museum has been getting a refresh!

Bringing our shark research and conservation collection back to the forefront with some incredible new additions. Crazy to think that it’s been 9 years open to the public. Keep an eye out for our soft re-opening evening event on May 1st!