Visitors to the Aquarium of Niagara can get up close and personal with sharks as part of a new interactive exhibit.

Shark Shanty opened Dec. 29, 2003. The exhibit features a 17,000-gallon tank with tiger and nurse sharks and a seaside shanty appearance.

A school of fiberglass sharks, including a life-size model of a Great White, floats overhead.

"Shark Shanty is the first significant addition to the Aquarium in several years," said Nancy Chapin, executive director. "Because of its size, it has altered the ambiance of the main floor and hopefully will be a forerunner of many more improvements to come."

The exhibit has been in the works since the spring of 2003. An alcove on the first floor just past the penguin exhibit was converted into the shanty.

The artifacts and new tank came from Canada along with some props used in several of the Jaws movies, including fishing poles and shark mounts and theatrical posters. Shark teeth and jaw displays are available for viewing.

"There is so much momentum and opportunity for tourism in Niagara Falls and the Aquarium has been a major part of that for years," said Dennis Elsenbeck, vice president of business services for Niagara Mohawk, an exhibit sponsor. "It's our hope that the grant for this exhibit will help the Aquarium in its mission to be a first-class tourist destination for the entire region."

The Aquarium receives less than 2 percent of its $1.2 million operating budget from state tax based resources. The remainder is self generated through admissions, memberships, corporate sponsors, grants and gift shop sales.

Aquarium officials expect to add more sharks to the exhibit. Since opening in 1965, the Aquarium has had 7.2 million visitors.