SAN FRANCISCO – Celebrating San Francisco Bay's enigmatic shark species, Aquarium of the Bay, in partnership with Sea Stewards, presents SHARKtober, a month-long event focusing on the local shark population. SHARKtober celebrates the White Sharks' annual return to the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, while increasing awareness of the five different species of sharks that live in the Bay.

Shark-related activities will take place all month at the Aquarium, including scavenger hunts, movies and shark feedings. Additionally, the Aquarium will host three main celebrations:

• SHARKtoberFest fundraising event on the evening of Oct. 16 will support the Aquarium's Sevengill Shark research and educational outreach projects. Guests can explore the Aquarium's exhibits and enjoy live music, wine, beer, hors d'oeuvres, a silent auction and more. The first SharkSaver award will be given to Jim Toomey, creator of the Sherman's Lagoon comic strip.

• SHARKtober Film Fest on Oct. 17 will feature films including "Rethink the Shark," "White Shark Cafe," "Sharks: Stewards of the Reef," "Requiem" and "City of the Shark." A panel discussion moderated by Sea Stewards founder David McGuire will include Maria Brown, superintendent of the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary; Jim Toomey, author of Sherman's Lagoon; Sal Jorgensen, PhD, Hopkins Marine Station; and Jonathan Kathrein, shark attack survivor and founder of Future Leaders for Peace.

• SHARKtober Family Sleepover on Oct. 17 will give families the opportunity to literally sleep with the sharks as they spend the night in the Aquarium's crystal clear tunnels. Naturalist-led activities, guided tours and more will round out the unique overnight experience.

"San Francisco Bay is literally steps away from our entrance, and serves as a nursery ground and home for many shark species," said The Bay Institute President and CEO John Frawley. "SHARKtober provides new opportunities for visitors to learn about these underwater neighbors, dispel myths about sharks, and support Aquarium of the Bay's efforts to care for, study and protect them."

The five species of sharks living in San Francisco Bay are Sevengill, Leopard, Spiny Dogfish, Soupfin and Brown Smoothhounds. In waters just outside the Golden Gate Bridge, Swell and Angel, as well as White Sharks, a top apex predator, can be found. Aquarium of the Bay houses all but White Sharks in its exhibits, and is leading field research on Sevengill and Angel sharks.

Find the full SHARKtober lineup and purchase tickets at www.aquariumofthebay.org .