Shark Conservation Project - Gansbaai
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Volunteers join a team of full-time marine biologists studying the Great White Shark and other marine species. Work is conducted on land and on sea from two vessels - a dedicated research boat and a state-of-the-art shark cage diving boat.
Volunteers learn about the behaviour and biology of Great White Sharks and the other species. The marine biologists are there to help, support and encourage volunteers to get the maximum benefit out of their stay. Volunteers have access to research facilities and lectures as well as visits to local marine organizations.
Project highlights
- You will learn about the behaviors and biology of Great White Sharks and the other species in our oceans.
- Marine biologists will be there to help, support, and encourage you to get the most benefit out of your stay
- Join the permanent team of full‐time marine biologists studying the Great White Shark and other marine species
- Join the fully dedicated research boat conducting studies into the biology and behaviour of Great White Sharks
- Every volunteer and intern becomes completely involved in our eco‐tourism (cage diving) and conservation work throughout their stay
- Access to research facilities and lectures by our own and visiting speakers, as well as visits to local marine organizations
- Individualised schemes for interns are tailored to maximise opportunities for research and data collection
- Everyone spends the majority of time at sea aboard Slashfin – our cage diving boat – or our newly commissioned research boat Lwazi (“seeking knowledge”)
Based on feedback from our volunteers and interns from all over the world we have developed an educational and research project which gives you many opportunities. That’s why so many former
volunteers and interns return for further visits.
Project details
Project starts: Every Friday
Location: Gansbaai, Cape Town
Minimum duration: 17 nights
Learning opportunities
Research interns are mentored in:
- Shark behaviour and biology in lectures and demonstrations such as dissections
- Assessing and recording animal behaviour
- Learning about climate and seamanship
- Recoding environmental conditions
- The history of shark behaviour
- Photographing and documenting marine wildlife
- Ocean conservation
Practical experience
Interns can expect to gain experience in:
- Experience working at sea
- Photographing dorsal ID’s and observing behaviour
- Identification of individual animals through newly discovered dorsal fin recording, measurement and markings
- Where possible, assisting with shark tagging
- Manual tracking of sharks over several days
- Boat safety and seamanship – learning how to maintain standards and equipment needed
Working days
- Projects run for 3 – 5 days a week normally from Monday to Friday
Volunteer requirements
- CV/Resumé
- Basic level of competency in English
- Copy of return flight itinerary
- Acceptance subject to availability of position
Accommodation
Volunteer house
- Shared rooms sleeping 2 ‐ 4
- Communal lounge and kitchen
- Accommodation is provided in our comfortable, self‐catering house close to our headquarters at the Great White House from which tours depart and research is coordinated
Meals
- Welcome BBQ is included on first night
- Breakfast and lunch only included on working days, all other meals at own cost.
- Shops are within walking distance and a selfcatering kitchen is available
Transport
- Airport pick up from Cape Town International Airport
- Volunteers will receive a return transfer from Cape Town to Gansbaai
Included
- Airport pick up
- 3 nights in Cape town
- Accommodation on project
- Cape Town Orientation tour
- Return Transfer from Cape Town to Gansbaai
- Breakfast and lunch on working days
- 24 hour support and supervisor on project
- Donation to the NPO to assist with projects
- Certificate of appreciation
