Jaws Drop at Royal William Yard: A Sustainable Shark Makes Waves for Shark Month

By
Louis Chadwick
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The Basket Shark on display for shark month Photo credit: H Hawke Creative.

Plymouth’s historic Royal William Yard is making a significant splash this July, not just with the return of its popular “Shark Month,” but with the dramatic arrival of a spectacular and sustainable shark sculpture.

This impressive 20-foot wicker creation, aptly named the “Basket Shark,” is setting the tone for a month dedicated to raising awareness, promoting art, and advocating for marine conservation for Shark Month at RWY (Royal William Yard), all in partnership with the Plymouth-based international conservation charity, the Shark Trust.

It’s constructed entirely from salvaged bamboo, willow, and pallet wood, transforming discarded materials into an evocative symbol of marine life.

Crafted by Falmouth University’s Duncan Cameron, the life-size basking shark is a true testament to sustainable artistry. Its prominent placement at the Shark Trust Pop-up Shop within the Yard serves as a striking visual centrepiece for the month-long programme.

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Art, Awareness, and Advocacy for the Ocean

The “Basket Shark” perfectly embodies the spirit of Shark Month at RWY. This annual event, building on last year’s resounding success, aims to immerse visitors in the incredible world of sharks and rays while highlighting the urgent need for their protection.

Paul Cox, CEO of the Shark Trust, expressed his enthusiasm:

“We were absolutely thrilled with the response to last year’s inaugural Shark Month at Royal William Yard – it exceeded all our expectations and really demonstrated people’s appetite for engaging with sharks, rays and ocean conservation. We’re excited to build on that success with an even more diverse programme of events.

We’ve created lots of fun and fascinating ways for all the family to engage with the vital issues of conservation whilst diving into and celebrating the incredible world of sharks.”

Dive into a Month of Shark-Themed Events

Beyond the stunning sculpture, Shark Month at RWY offers a packed schedule designed to engage all ages:

  • Shark Trust Photographic Competition Exhibition at Ocean Studios (1st-31st July)
  • Shark Quiz Night at Steel Brew (3rd July)
  • Shark Trust Activity Day (6th July), featuring a new VR shark encounter
  • Shark Trust Pop-up Shop at Melville Corner (selected dates throughout July) for expert chats and film screenings
  • “Living with Sharks in The Bahamas” evening celebration (17th July)
  • ‘Great Whites’ Wine Tasting at Le Vignoble (24th July), exploring wines from Great White habitats
  • Shark Films at Everyman Cinema (26th-27th July), with screenings of Finding Nemo and The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou
  • Great Eggcase Hunt/Rockpooling at Firestone Bay (27th July), a citizen science opportunity to discover marine life.
For more details about Shark Month, visit www.royalwilliamyard.com/shark-month where all events are listed with booking details. To learn more about the Shark Trust’s conservation work, visit www.sharktrust.org

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