This Saturday July 19 marks a powerful moment for shark lovers, conservationists, and curious coastal Texans. The much-anticipated documentary Gulf Great White Sharks: Return of an Icon officially launches online July 19—but this weekend, excitement comes ashore with a special event in Orange, Texas.
From 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 19, the Gulf Great White Shark Society will host a free shark book giveaway in the Walmart parking lot on MacArthur Drive. It’s a chance for families, ocean enthusiasts, and young aspiring marine biologists to connect with the rising movement to protect—and understand—the great whites of the Gulf. Shark books will come with decals, bracelets and more for kids.
“This is about highlighting the return of great white sharks in the Gulf and connecting people—especially young people—to the importance of them and other large sharks in the region’s ecosystem,” said Chester Moore, founder of the Society and Editor-In-Chief of Texas Fish & Game.
The Gulf Great White Sharks: Return of an Icon documentary debuted in June to a packed house at the Museum of the Gulf Coast in Port Arthur. The event, held on the 50th anniversary weekend of Jaws, drew over 350 attendees and marked the official launch of the Gulf Great White Shark Society—a grassroots community dedicated to awareness, advocacy, and education around sharks in the Gulf of Mexico.
The documentary premieres at 7 p.m. Saturday here.
The Society isn’t just about science—it’s about people. It brings together researchers, shark enthusiasts, and everyday citizens to form a coalition of voices standing up for the Gulf’s apex predators. Through media outreach, school programs, public events, and mentorship, the Society is bridging the gap between fear and fascination.
During the Port Arthur premiere, the Society presented three inaugural awards:
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Youth Award: Ericashea Borel, for her tireless work promoting conservation.
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$500 Scholarship: Marina Wilson, a marine sciences student with a passion for shark research.
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Grassroots Award: Fortune Ford, for organizing a catch-and-release shark division of a tournament and her ongoing volunteer conservation work.
The Society is also closely tied to Moore’s Wild Wishes® and Higher Calling Wildlife® programs, which bring hope to foster youth, trafficking survivors, and critically ill children through wildlife experiences. Many of those young participants have a deep fascination with sharks—and now, they’re writing, drawing, and even planning to dive into hands-on conservation.
Learn more at www.gulfgreatwhites.com, and follow their mission on Instagram at @gulfgreatwhitesharksociety. Don’t miss the free book giveaway this Saturday in Orange—where conservation meets community, and the ocean’s most iconic predator takes center stage once again.