Food, fun and fintastic trivia await at the 2026 Suds for Sharks Saturday, Aug. 29, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Savard Beer & Board hosted by the NC Aquarium Society to raise funds for shark conservation. Shark experts from the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher (NCAFF) will make this an unforgettable afternoon with trivia, bingo, one-on-one chats and exciting updates on shark conservation. This family-friendly event will also feature fun for children as our teams are committed to inspiring the next generation of shark conservationists. NCAFF is a division of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
Guests can take home prizes, inspiration and a greater respect for the awesome role that sharks play in ocean health. Enjoy shark-themed drink specials in a commemorative 50th Anniversary pint glass. A portion of all pint sales support shark conservation through SAFE: Shark & Ray.
Hear from Hap Fatzinger, NC Aquariums director, shark expert and program leader for SAFE: Shark & Ray and Windy Arey-Kent, SAFE: Shark & Ray conservation program manager.
Sharks and their relatives, skates and rays, make up one of the most fascinating and charismatic groups of marine wildlife. Many of their species are also threatened with extinction. Suds for Sharks is an opportunity for the community to raise funds to protect them and raise awareness of the critical role sharks play in the ocean ecosystem.
NCAFF Shark Conservation
The Aquarium mission is to inspire care and conservation of nature by connecting people with the aquatic world. In fulfillment of this mission, NCAFF staff and volunteers create connections to sharks and work on different fronts to save them.
- As an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, NCAFF collaborates with SAFE: Shark and Ray which harnesses collective action to build diverse partnerships to deliver effective action for the conservation and recovery of sharks and rays by 2035.
- NCAFF also works to protect them through the sand tiger shark tagging project. For years, the sharks at the Aquarium have provided a perfect backdrop to engage visitors in their conservation.
- The NCAFF promotes Spot A Shark USA, a community science program that engages anyone who spends time on the water in sand tiger shark research along the Atlantic coast.
- NCAFF environmental educators inspire visitors to take a deep dive into where they are buying their seafood through the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
1. Learn as much as you can about sharks.
2. Do not use shark products which can be found in anything from cosmetics to souvenirs and even fish sticks.
3. Choose sustainable seafood by visiting SeafoodWatch.
4. Refuse, Reduce, Reuse & Recycle. Refuse single-use plastic—the other big threat to sharks is plastics in the ocean. See our green practices at NCAFF Sustainability.
5. Donate to shark conservation organizations like SAFE: Shark & Ray or the North Carolina Aquarium Society.
For the Aquarium, the most important takeaways are that individual actions can make a difference. Even during this time when the Aquarium is closed for construction and a transformative renovation and expansion is underway, NCAFF is committed to community engagement opportunities that foster greater understanding of sharks and inspiration to protect them.
About the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher
The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is just south of Kure Beach, a short drive from Wilmington on U.S. 421 and less than a mile from the Fort Fisher ferry terminal. The Aquarium is one of three Aquariums and a pier that make up the North Carolina Aquariums, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. While NCAFF is closed for a transformative renovation and expansion, visitors are encouraged to stroll into Discovery Bay at Independence mall, a complimentary experience or reserve their tickets at NCA Pine Knoll Shores and NCA Roanoke Island or to visit Jennette’s Pier for some great fishing. The mission of the North Carolina Aquariums is to inspire care and conservation of nature by connecting people with the aquatic world.
About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina — its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. At more than 100 sites across the state, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.
About the North Carolina Aquarium Society
The North Carolina Aquarium Society is the nonprofit partner organization of the North Carolina Aquariums, celebrating 50 years of connecting people with the wonders of aquatic life. NCAS raises private funds to champion the Aquariums and enhance the aquarium experience for all visitors. The private support raised by NCAS ensures the Aquariums can support their priorities – opening new habitats, nurturing aquatic life, and facilitating educational programs and conservation research.