The Tiger Shark Conservation Volunteer Research Programme
If you want
to dive in with tiger sharks, and you're already immersed in the world of science
and conservation, this shark research programme is made for you. This exciting
shark protection project puts you deep in the realm of an apex predator for an
unrivalled experience in marine conservation. Volunteering for this research programme
in South Africa will mean working face to face, without the protection of shark
cages, with one of the ocean's top predators on marine biology conservation research
that will get your pulse racing.
Volunteering
for this marine conservation programme will provide: - Practical
field experience in the study of large marine predators.
- Practical
use of ultrasonic tagging equipment and photo-identification techniques.
-
Utilisation of Geographic Information Systems.
- Development and training
of students in marine biology conservation.
- Research and management
of shark protection areas.
- The use of physical tagging in the study
of fish populations.
- Education and outreach experience to local indigenous
communities.
- To have a once in a lifetime marine experience.
|
MORE
INFORMATION ABOUT THE SHARK CONSERVATION PROGRAMME ...
The programme of
marine biology conservation is based on current research into the movement and
behaviour of tiger sharks within the Aliwal Shoal Marine Protected Area. It is
designed with those volunteering for the marine conservation tasks in mind, providing
practical hands-on experience in many aspects of shark conservation and fish research
including ultrasonic tagging and photo-identification.
Volunteers will
form part of a focused research group and gain an invaluable insight into the
field of Marine Biology research and conservation.
There is no other programme
in Africa, or possibly the world, which offers volunteers such a dynamic and comprehensive
marine predator experience, making this is a unique opportunity for people interested
in marine biology, conservation and volunteering to help protect the environment.
Details
of the Shark Conservation Research Programme
Due to the increase in the
local abundance of tiger sharks, the potential danger to humans (both bathers
and divers) has increased, leading to an urgent need to understand both the short
and long-term movement patterns of tiger sharks. Through a series of integrated
telemetry studies and underwater observations, this shark conservation study aims
to understand the behaviour, movements and residency patterns of tiger sharks,
with the aim of assuring shark conservation. Volunteering activities will include: - Underwater
observations of tiger sharks using either snorkel or SCUBA (no cages for protection!)
Sharks will be photographed and identified individually using characteristic body
patterns.
- Manual tracking of sharks to investigate home range sizes.
A shark will be tagged with an ultrasonic tag. The shark will then be tracked
for up to 24-hrs. The track will be downloaded for analysis of movement patterns,
swimming depth and water temperature.
- Location and deployment of VR2
listening stations (SCUBA diving certification required). Information from the
listening station will be downloaded onto a computer to detect the presence and
absence of tagged sharks.
Other marine conservation volunteering
activities will also include: - Fish Tagging: Capture, tag and release
of fish using A or B-type tags to study and conserve fish populations.
-
Educational outreach to indigenous communities: Promotion of science in rural
schools.
The unique combination of top scientists and marine logistic
experience is a key factor in setting this shark conservation programme apart
from projects run by other organisations. The programme is run by Dr. Matt Dicken,
one of the world's leading shark scientists, who has conducted research on almost
all of South Africa's top marine apex predators including tiger shark (Galeocerdo
cuvier), raggedtooth (Carcharias taurus) and white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias).
Blue
Wilderness Dive Expeditions provide logistics and field skills for this project.
Their specialist knowledge is prized by the 'blue chip' natural history, marine
biology and conservation filmmakers; they are the company of choice for the BBC,
National Geographic and the Discovery Channel and have been instrumental in the
production of documentaries such as Blue Planet, Planet Earth and Dive to Tiger
Central.
 | Location
The
shark conservation programme is located at our phenomenal home base "Shark
Park," situated at Rocky Bay on the KwaZulu / Natal South Coast. Shark Park
is less than a hundred metres from the sea and is the perfect surf launch site
for all research expeditions.
The area of shark protection is the Aliwal Shoal
Marine Protected Area, one of South Africa's premier dive destinations. The shoal
is a shallow reef system located approximately 60 km south of Durban. The MPA
is unique in that it has an almost 100% success rate for encountering tiger sharks. | |
In addition to tiger sharks, a wide variety of other shark species are commonly
encountered here and these also merit our respect and protection. Shark species
include: whale shark (Rhincodon typus), raggedtooth (Carcharias taurus), blacktip
(Carcharhinus limbatus), dusky (Carcharhinus obscurus) and Zambezi sharks (Carcharhinus
leucas). Large pods of Indian Ocean bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) and
a variety of whale species are also commonly observed in this area, all of which
highlights the importance of local marine biology conservation efforts.
Click
here to read more about South Africa |
Accomodation
Accommodation
for researchers volunteering for marine conservation projects will be at Ellingham
Resort, located less than 500 m from Shark Park. Situated in beautiful forest
surroundings with unspoilt views of the ocean these wooden chalets are self-catering
with shared bedroom and bathroom facilities.
The chalets are within close
proximity to nearby shopping centres, restaurants and bars. A shuttle service
will provide daily trips to help interns get around during their shark conservation
placement.
Time
Off
General working hours are from 8.00 am to 4.00 pm. Depending on fitness,
motivation and interest students have the option of working longer or shorter
days.
During their days off from volunteering, marine conservation interns
may enjoy additional activities at Rocky Bay, such as surfing, fishing, hunting
for crayfish (which are great to eat), horseback riding, golf, and canoeing, as
well as a host of other activities. There's even a local crocodile farm to visit.
Dolphin and whale watching opportunities are limitless on every excursion to sea.
Shark conservation interns also have the opportunity to visit Ushaka Marine World
and the Natal Sharks Board in Durban. In the evenings there are plenty of local
bars and restaurants to be enjoyed. |
Project
Duration
The Shark Conservation programme will run for a 3-week period:
5th
October- 25th October 2009 (3 weeks)
22nd March- 11th April 2010 (3 weeks)
Ground only rates (excluding flights)
| 2
weeks | 3
weeks | 4
weeks | 6
weeks | 8
weeks | 12
weeks | | | £1,999 | | | | |
Fully
inclusive (including flights) *subject to availability
| 2
weeks | 3
weeks | 4
weeks | 6
weeks | 8
weeks | 12
weeks | | | £2,749 | | | | |
The
intern programme is a research rather than tourism or holiday experience.
As
a result, we are looking for persons with the following credentials: 1. Graduated
scientists or students currently enrolled in an academic institution.
2. Conservationists,
marine biologists and naturalists with an interest in gaining field experience
in working with sharks.
APPLY
NOW
*Please note that there is a follow-up application
|
