Being attacked by sharks while swimming off the coast of Australia or South Africa seems like a likely event to most of us. Luckily, there’s actually a very small chance of that ever happening. Not only because nobody should be swimming in undesignated or unsupervised waters, but more importantly, humans aren’t really on the shark’s menu anyway! When they do attack humans, it’s usually an accident, mistaking the human for a similarly sized fish or marine mammal which is much more appetizing to them.

Great White Sharks get their name from their white underbelly which is lighter than their gray-blue black. This special coloring allows them to blend in seamlessly into the ocean décor and becoming unnoticeable to their prey.

Inhabiting the coastal surface of temperate waters around the world, great white sharks can be found on every continent except Antarctica. Although it’s impossible to know exactly how many of these predators populate our planet, the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species has listed them as a vulnerable species. You’re probably wondering why we should be contributing to saving a creature which is a threat to friendlier creatures like dolphins, seals, sea lions, etc… Consider the great white shark as a caretaker of the ocean. Top of the food chain, they eat carcasses along with the sick and weaker marine life. Sharks basically maintain a clean and healthy underwater world, preventing illness and disease from spreading.

A study conducted in February 2010 by Barbara Block of Stanford University estimated the world population of Great White Shark at less than 3,500 individuals, making the species more vulnerable to extinction than the tiger, whose population is in the same range.

To sum up, these are the biggest threats great white sharks are facing today:

• Illegal fishing
• Bycatch
• Pollution
• Climate change
• Slow reproduction rate

California & North America

The Great White Shark is commonly found on the coasts of North America from Newfoundland to southern Mexico in the Atlantic Ocean and from Alaska to southern Mexico in the Pacific Ocean. You can work with Great White Sharks in Baja California Sur in the USA. This is another great white shark hub where volunteers will be sure to encounter them and contribute to an array of meaningful activities to help decrease the speed of their population decline.

South Africa

Outside of America, there’s a substantial population dwelling in the waters of South Africa and Australia. They can also be found in the Mediterranean Sea and Japan. Volunteers who are drawn to the sea and exceptional dramatic landscapes will be packing their bags in no time knowing their shark saving adventure will most likely lead them to South Africa! Kleinbaai is a bay at the south point of this touristic hotspot where fearless volunteers can take part in some adrenaline-pumping activities.

We’re happy you asked! First of all, we can all help! As a consumer, we can help by refusing to buy or consume any products made of shark’s fins or teeth. When the demand for these objects declines, there will be no longer be an incentive to catch sharks for this purpose!

Tourists can make a difference by selecting sustainable tourism options for their holidays. There are various organizations offering shark cage diving for example. This is an incredible experience first of all and besides being introduced to a whole new (underwater) world, your contributions will support the great white shark conservation efforts.

You understand the importance of the great white shark and want to join a program, and now you’re wondering: What will I be doing as a volunteer?

First all you’ll most likely be heading to South Africa which is an adventure in itself. We don’t need to go into detail about the exquisite views and landscapes which are simply a well-known fact. As a volunteer, there are many different tasks waiting for you both on the land and out on the sea:

• Dive amongst one of the scariest predators on the planet (don’t worry, you’ll be in a steel cage amongst other divers)
• Collect data about the sex, size, markings and behavior of the sharks
• Learn basic seaman skills including boat maintenance, packing and cleaning of equipment, knots, cage diving deployment
• Assist the tourists on the boat where necessary
• Spread the word about the importance of white sharks to tourists and locals

Seeing great white sharks in their natural habitat is a once-in-a-lifetime experience in itself. The prospect of this adrenaline-inducing event is enough to get any adventure seeker to pack their bags and volunteer to conserve the great white shark. But there are actually many benefits of volunteering.

Boost your career

Besides the thrill and excitement this experience is sure to bring, participating as a volunteer and actively contributing to a greater good demonstrates that you take responsibility and are motivated by a meaningful cause. Above all, volunteering shows awareness of our environment and a willingness to take action. These are all qualities that are highly appreciated in any future career.

Improve your language skills

Volunteering with great white sharks in South Africa will require knowledge of the English language. Depending on where you are from, this could be a chance to improve both your English and communication skills.

Make new friends

Besides a fun-filled agenda with extraordinary activities, what usually makes an experience unforgettable are the people! You will be surrounded by like-minded individuals who share your passion and excitement for sharks and marine life. Encounters on an adventure like this are bound to forge meaningful friendships!

Live like a local

Engaging with the community around you will give you an insight into the life amongst locals who share the same environment as the great white sharks. You can make a difference in their lives too by engaging in educational outreach programs that teach about sustainability and business knowledge.