The museum exhibition begins on the second floor of Palazzo Grassi with the Shark Room. Welcoming us is Olivia, a female basking shark, from one of the largest fish in the world. The specimen on display is about eight meters long and was accidentally caught off the coast of chioggio in 2003.

The animal was taxidermied, so today it is possible to admire its true size and original skin. It is hard to believe that the survival of such a large animal could be threatened, yet this species is on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List and is protected by several international conventions that prohibit its fishing, marketing and consumption.

Using the basking shark as an example, this room presents the different marine environments and talks about the factors that threaten biodiversity, inviting reflection on the concepts of vulnerability, overfishing and responsible management.

Once we have made Olivia’s acquaintance, we are ready to continue our knowledge of the marine world and its inhabitants upstairs.