A&M-Corpus Christi researcher to appear in Discovery's Shark Week

Local viewers tuning into Discovery's annual Shark Week in late July might notice a familiar face.

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi researcher Kesley Banks will again make an appearance as an expert during the yearly celebration of sharks.

“Sharks are a vital part of our oceans,” Banks said in a news release. “Without them, our oceans are out of balance. By working to understand the importance of their ecological roles and conserving these apex predators, we’re helping to ensure healthy oceans for both current and future generations.”

She will appear in a new episode of the "Monster Mako" series, which will air at 8 p.m. Thursday, July 27, on Discovery. Shark Week begins July 23, including nearly 20 hours of programming.

Banks is an assistant research scientist at the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies Center for Sportfish Science and Conservation. Banks and other Harte Research Institute researchers have been featured in Shark Week programming in past years as well.

Banks' work involves tagging and tracking sharks off Texas beaches and around artificial reefs in the Gulf of Mexico.

The Center for Sportfish Science and Conservation has tagged more than 6,000 sharks in the Gulf of Mexico. The center's online mapping tool shows the travels of some sharks.

The Harte Research Institute will also feature Banks discussing sharks, their importance in the oceans and her inspiration to study sharks in the institute's podcast "The Gulf Stream" on Friday.

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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: A&M-Corpus Christi researcher to appear in Discovery's Shark Week