Established in 2005 as a non-profit organization, Sharklife works to address the alarming exploitation of both shark populations and ocean fisheries in South African waters. Our marine internship programs aim to nurture shark conservation ambassadors through knowledge development, hands-on training, and many hours on the ocean encountering a multitude of marine wildlife.
"The overall goal of the program is to imprint a deeper understanding of the shark species in the minds of participants"
The Sharklife Research Assistant program provides a unique platform for students and volunteers to gain field experience working on shark research projects in South Africa's largest coastal Marine Protected Area. With direct involvement in all the research components, you will build your skill base through knowledge development, practical training, and many hours on the ocean.
There is a maximum of 6 research assistants at any time allowing for more valuable experiences in the field and increased personal development.
Sharklife has been driving shark conservation initiatives since 2005 and has a wealth of experience to offer enthusiastic research assistants. So whether you are an early career marine biologist, student, or passionate volunteer we need you to help drive our shark research projects!
Please note: All our data collection methods are non-invasive, and not harmful to the animals we study, and there is no catching, handling, or feeding of sharks in this program. In addition, we dive in small groups to limit the disturbance of marine wildlife.
The core goal of this program is to develop your fieldwork experience and watermanship skills. During this month you will steadily practice freediving, clock-up scuba dives, and learn routine boating tasks. A series of workshops focused on shark ID, behavior and biology are given during this month to enhance your understanding of the animals you are researching. You will also be introduced to the data collection, input, and analysis methods used in the projects we are conducting at the time.
Scuba Diver Training: Optional extra, completed in the first week of your stay.
If you would like to complete one of the following courses whilst you are here, please specify it in the inquiry form.
These courses are delivered through our PADI 5 Star scuba training partner.
Highlights:
Duties:
Deliverables:
Sodwana Bay is a small rural town that borders the pristine world heritage site known as the iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
The park includes South Africa's largest coastal Marine Protected Area, spanning 280 km of coastline, and is one of the top ten dive destinations in the world. The coral reefs contain over 1 200 species of fish as well as a variety of underwater seascapes and marine megafauna. The warm tropical waters (20-27C, 60-80F) year-round and good visibility make for awesome research conditions!
Sodwana Bay is also a short drive from a selection of Big 5 Game Reserves which you will visit on your days off.
“The wetland park must be the only place on the globe where the world’s oldest land mammal (the rhinoceros) and the world’s biggest land mammal (the elephant) share an ecosystem with the world’s oldest fish (the coelacanth) and the world’s biggest marine mammal (the whale).” Nelson Mandela 2001.
Your days will be divided into land days and ocean days, depending on weather conditions.
Typical Day: 07:00 - 15:00 On returning we rinse, de-kit the boat and diving equipment, and break for lunch.
After lunch, we meet in the research office where interns and volunteers are tasked with the daily data management functions or maintenance tasks.
We end off with a debrief and planning session for the next day's research activities.
If we are unable to go to sea due to inclement weather we conduct theory sessions in our auditorium using graphics, videos, and models to enhance your theoretical understanding of sharks. Interns and volunteers use this opportunity to ask questions and discuss prevalent conservation topics.
We also use this time to conduct various examinations of the shark and ray specimens we have preserved, either frozen, dried, or in solution. These specimens enable participants to get a feel of the various anatomical features of each animal.
The rest of the day may be allocated to extra activities happening in the center at the time such as; assisting with school groups, museum display development, boat maintenance, etc.
After preparing the boat and equipment for sea we head to the beach. Interns and volunteers are an integral part of the team and assist directly with all beach and boating logistics. We launch through the surf and make our way along the coastline to the designated study area where we conduct in-water surveys, record sightings data, and change out equipment. Interns get the opportunity to develop seamanship and diving skills whilst encountering a wide variety of marine life.
Costs Include:
The majority of your program cost goes towards the implementation of research projects.
Excluded:
* Meals - The research camp has a fully equipped kitchen where you can prepare your meals and there are daily trips to the local supermarket where you can purchase food. Alternatively, there is a restaurant on site where you can order lunch and dinner from a large menu.
FLIGHT BOOKING IMPORTANT INFO:
If your program starts on the 1st of January you need to arrive at the airport on the 1st of January, not before. If your program's last day is the 2nd of December, you need to book your flight for departure on the 2nd of December.
You need to fly into King Shaka Durban via Johannesburg O.R Tambo Airport or Cape Town International airport. Please book your flight to arrive no later than 2 pm as it's a 4hr drive back to Sodwana Bay and there is a stretch of road that is very dangerous to drive at night due to stray cows, goats, and dogs.
If all the available flights on the arrival date only arrive after 2 pm you would need to arrive the day before and stay over in Durban to meet us at the airport the next day at the arranged time.
For the departure flight please book a flight for after 12 pm – Lunch time.
If you need assistance with travel arrangements, please let me know, I’m happy to help.
A Sharklife staff member will pick you up from the airport on your arrival day, the staff member will more than likely be me, and I will be in contact with you via WhatsApp a few days before your departure date to start planning.
You will be situated within the intern camp located next to the Sharklife Ocean Center.
We have a total of nine rooms.
Eight rooms are small yet secure and private, these eight rooms share four bathrooms.
One room is en-suite.
The kitchen and communal areas are spacious and well equipped. We do have a washing machine in the common area for you to do some laundry.
Restaurant on-site.
FLIGHT BOOKING IMPORTANT INFO:
If your program starts on the 1st of January you need to arrive at the airport on the 1st of January, not before. If your program's last day is the 2nd of December, you need to book your flight for departure on the 2nd of December.
You need to fly into King Shaka Durban via Johannesburg O.R Tambo Airport or Cape Town Internation airport. Please book your flight to arrive no later than 2 pm as it's a 4hr drive back to Sodwana Bay and there is a stretch of road that is very dangerous to drive at night due to stray cows, goats, and dogs.
If all the available flights on the arrival date only arrive after 2 pm you would need to arrive the day before and stay over in Durban to meet us at the airport the next day at the arranged time.
For the departure flight please book a flight for after 12 pm – Lunch time.
If you need assistance with travel arrangements, please let me know, I’m happy to help.
A Sharklife staff member will pick you up from the airport on your arrival day, the staff member will more than likely be me, and I will be in contact with you via WhatsApp a few days before your departure date to start planning.
If you are unsure please do not hesitate to ask for help.
Sharklife Research Assistant
Sharklife has been driving shark conservation initiatives since 2005 and has a wealth of experience to offer enthusiastic research assistants.
$416/week
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