Oceanogràfic de València has named a grey shark after Ferran Torres. The move highlights the footballer’s role in marine conservation and his ties to the region. The shark’s new name underlines the importance of protecting endangered species.
Oceanogràfic de València has officially named one of its grey sharks after Ferran Torres, the footballer from Foios, in a move that links local sporting pride with marine conservation efforts. The decision, announced by the aquarium, recognizes Torres’s ongoing commitment to raising awareness about the need to protect marine life, especially sharks, and his active involvement as an ambassador for the Oceanogràfic Foundation through 2024 and 2025.
The newly named shark is a male Carcharhinus plumbeus, measuring nearly two meters in length. According to Oceanogràfic, this gesture is intended to reinforce the message that sharks are not only emblematic creatures but also play a vital role in maintaining healthy ocean ecosystems. The choice of Ferran Torres is particularly fitting, as the footballer is widely known by his sporting nickname, ‘el Tiburón’ (the Shark), a moniker that has become part of his public identity both on and off the pitch.
Torres’s connection to the aquarium and the region is longstanding. Born in Valencia province, he has maintained close ties to his roots and previously visited Oceanogràfic to learn about the institution’s work in conservation, research, education, and animal care. During his visit, he explored the Oceans area and the underwater tunnel, gaining insight into shark biology, the threats facing their populations, and the projects underway to support their survival. This collaboration continued into 2025, with Torres’s involvement extending to educational initiatives.
One such initiative included a visit by over a hundred participants from the Ferran Torres Summer Campus, who took part in a day focused on marine biodiversity, animal knowledge, and the urgent need to reduce human impact on the oceans. The event aimed to foster greater understanding among young people about the challenges facing marine species and the importance of conservation.
The grey shark, or Carcharhinus plumbeus, is a slow-growing species with a particularly sensitive reproductive strategy. Females have long gestation periods, produce few offspring, and do not reproduce every year. These biological traits make the species especially vulnerable to threats such as accidental capture, overfishing, habitat degradation, and the trade in shark-derived products. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) currently lists the grey shark as “endangered” on its Red List of Threatened Species.
Valencia has recently seen other notable events involving local figures and animal welfare. For example, the region was the scene of a tragedy when a young cattle breeder from Castellón died while searching for missing livestock, as reported in coverage of the incident in Gátova. Such stories highlight the ongoing relationship between the people of Valencia and the animals—both wild and domestic—that shape the region’s identity.
Spain’s aquariums, including Oceanogràfic de València, play a growing role in public education and species protection. By naming a shark after Ferran Torres, the institution not only honors a local sports figure but also draws attention to the urgent need for marine conservation. The initiative serves as a reminder of the challenges facing sharks worldwide and the importance of community engagement in safeguarding vulnerable species for future generations.
