Shark Experts and Celebrities to be Auctioned Online During Shark Week

Los Angeles, CA, August 11, 2012 --(PR.com)-- What do a shark attack victim, a model, a world-famous artist and a television host have in common? They all love sharks and each would like to sit down and have lunch or dinner (one-on-one) with you and show you why.

More than 50 of the world’s top shark experts and celebrities are on the auction block during Discovery Channel’s Shark Week 2012. Up for auction are filmmakers who will be premiering their films this week on Discovery Channel. There are also scientists, field researchers, underwater photographers, painters, sculptors, and experts representing 16 ocean conservation organizations. If you live in Australia, Canada, Honduras, Hong Kong, Italy, Singapore, South Africa or the USA (Hawaii, California, Texas, Illinois, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, Connecticut, New Jersey and Florida), could be that one of them is your neighbor.

Some of the shark experts and celebs on the auction block are Donald Schultz, host of Nat Geo Wild’s Extreme Animal Rescue. Leonard Compagno, the world’s top expert on sharks; diving legend and developer of the chain mail shark suit Jeremiah Sullivan; ocean activists Dr. Sylvia Earle and Jupp Kerckerinck; filmmakers Jeff Kurr, Joe Romeiro, and Emmy Award winners Jonathan and Christine Bird; shark attack victims turned shark advocates Al Brenneka and Dr. Erich Ritter, field researchers Debbie Smith (whale sharks), and Jeffrey Gallant (Greenland sharks); underwater photographer and model Cat Gennaro; artists Richard Ellis, Ila France Porcher, Wyland, Victor Douieb and Jim Toomey, creator of the comic strip Sherman’s Lagoon. These are just a few of the “shark celebs” that are up for auction. Every one of them has a wealth of expertise and stories to share with their highest bidder.

How it works: Bid on a shark expert or celebrity that lives or works nearby, unless you are willing to drive or fly to their location. The winning bidder pays for the celebrity's meal, and may bring guests. Shark Research Institute will introduce each winning bidder to his or her shark celebrity. The two then set a mutually convenient date, time and place to get together within 365 days of the close of the auction.

The auction starts this Sunday, August 12, 2012, at 6 p.m. Pacific Time, and will run throughout Shark Week. The easiest way to enter the auction is through the link Shark Research Institute's home page at www.sharks.org.