Sharklife Research Assistant

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fondée en 2005
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Clou

Get close to sharks
Get Freediving training
Examine real shark and ray specimens
Study in a World Heritage Site
Encounter diverse marine mega fauna and dive in warm clear ocean environments
Sharklife has been driving shark conservation initiatives since 2005 and has a wealth of experience to offer enthusiastic research assistants. This volunteer program is especially suitable for:
Âge 18+
Seul voyageur
Couples
Groupes

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 developmenthands-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 developmentpractical 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.

  • PADI Open Water Course - $350
  • PADI Advanced Diver Course - $350

 These courses are delivered through our PADI 5 Star scuba training partner.

 Highlights:

  • 10 - 20 boat-based research trips
  • Shark encounters
  • 30 - 60hrs in the field 
  • Research freediver training (5 - 10m)
  • 5 -10 research scuba dives (if certified)
  • Shark workshops

 Duties:

  • Prepare the boat and dive gear
  • Prepare research equipment
  • Assist with crewing the boat
  • Perform water data collection tasks
  • Maintain dive gear and boating equipment
  • Data collection, input, and analysis

 Deliverables:

  • 1 page (500 words) blog article on a relevant conservation topic
  • A 10-minute presentation on an elasmobranch species you encountered here
  • Short structured report on research findings for the month 

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.

Journée Typique

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. 


Activités de Loisir

  1. The most popular free-time activity is a day trip to the Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game Reserve. The park is home to Africa's big five: elephant, rhinoceros (black/hook-lipped and white/square-lipped), Cape buffalo, lion, and leopard.
  2. You can just relax on the pristine beaches of Sodwana Bay.
  3. There are also quad bike tours of the local lake systems and forests. 
  4. You can scuba dive on the world-renowned reefs of Sodwana Bay. 
Natation
Tourisme
Plongée /
plongée en apnée
Safari /
Zoo

Conditions

Pour participer à ce programme tu dois avoir au moins 18 ans quand le programme commence. Il peut y avoir des exceptions si tu peux montrer la permission de ton tuteur légal ou si tu es accompagné(e) par l'un de tes parents.
Compétences Linguistiques
Tu dois parler anglais (niveau moyen)
Exigences de Formation
Marine Sciences, Biology & Conservation (not essential) à niveau High school
Restrictions de Nationalité
Aucune restriction. De l'aide venant de tous les coins du monde est bienvenu.
Autres Compétences
Being able to swim is a requirement.
Engagement de Temps
Nous avons besoin de ton aide le lundi, mardi, mercredi, jeudi et vendredi de 07:00 - 16:00

Services inclus

Services de Sharklife Conservation Group
As the project is based in a remote rural area there are extra expenses involved in providing similar services to those found in developed countries. Nonetheless, we have tried our best to balance the costs to make your trip both affordable and comfortable. 

Costs Include:

The majority of your program cost goes towards the implementation of research projects.

  • Research expense contribution
  • Airport transfers 
  • Private room  
  • Lectures, materials, freediving certification
  • Dive gear
  • Wifi
  • 24hr support  

Excluded:

  • Scuba Courses: (PADI OW or PADI ADV, EFR, Rescue, DM, and any specialties) 
  • Game Park tours
  • Flights 
  • Travel Insurance
  • Meals *
  • Vaccinations 
  • Weekend Activities: These can be scuba diving or field trips

* 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. 

Transfert de l'aéroport King Shaka International Airport

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.

Logement

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.

Chambre simple
Accès à Internet
Bon accès sur le site du projet
NE SONT inclus dans le prix:
Visa, billets d'avion, assurance voyage ne sont PAS inclus dans les frais de programme. Aliments, collations et boissons sont disponibles contre supplément.
Billets d'avion
L'aéroport le plus proche est King Shaka International Airport (DUR) à Durban. Nous t'aidons à trouver des vols pas chers pour aller en Afrique du Sud.
Assurance Voyage
Partir à l'étranger est une aventure et c'est toujours mieux d'être bien préparé. Que ce soit une maladie soudaine, une blessure ou du vol - une assurance voyage pour Afrique du Sud te protège en cas de situation imprévue.
Vaccins
Si tu envisages de faire du bénévolat en Afrique du Sud, nous te conseillons de consulter un médecin avant le début de ton voyage. Renseigne-toi sur les vaccins nécessaires pour Afrique du Sud.

Dates et Prix

PAS DE FRAIS DE CARTE DE CRÉDIT

Informations sur l'arrivée

Start Dates:
1-Month Shark research assistant dates: 
14th Aug - 11th Sep 2023
11th Sep - 9th Oct 2023
9th Oct - 6th Nov 2023
6th Nov - 4th Dec 2023
4th Dec - 2nd Jan 2024
2nd Jan - 30th Jan 2024
30th Jan - 27th Feb 2024
27th Feb - 26th Mar 2024

2-Month Shark research assistant dates:
14th Aug - 9th Oct 2023
11th Sep - 6th Nov 2023
9th Oct - 4th Dec 2023
6th Nov - 2nd Jan 2024
4th Dec - 30th Jan 2024
 2nd Jan - 27th Feb 2024
 30th Jan - 26th Mar 2024 
 27th Feb - 23rd Apr 2024

3-Month Shark research assistant dates: 
14th Aug - 6th Nov 2023
11th Sep - 4th Dec 2023
 9th Oct - 2nd Jan 2024
6th Nov - 30th Jan 2024
 4th Dec - 27th Feb 2024
 2nd Jan - 26th Mar 2024
30th Jan - 23rd April 2024
 27th Feb - 21st May 2024
 

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.

Disponibilité
janv. févr. mars avril mai juin juil. août sept. oct. nov. déc.
Durée
4 - 12 sem

Frais de Programme

Frais: Prix en USD
4 sem (durée min.)
$1 995
8 sem
$2 995
12 sem (durée max.)
$3 995
Coût moyen
$416 /sem

Merci de noter que les prix ci-dessus sont des prix estimés et qu'ils sont soumis aux fluctuations des taux de change. Sharklife Conservation Group t'informera du prix final au cours du processus de candidature.
Acompte (15%)
L'acompte sert à réserver ta place avec l'organisation. Les paiements sont effectués par Paypal, notre partenaire de confiance pour les solutions de paiements internationales. Si tu n'as pas Paypal, tu peux également utiliser ta carte de crédit.
Montant Restant (85%)
Le paiement du montant restant doit être organisé avec Sharklife Conservation Group durant le processus de candidature. Très souvent ce paiement est effectué par virement bancaire ou en espèces.

Pourquoi partir avec Volunteer World

Couche supplémentaire de sécurité de Volunteer World
Volunteer World est la plateforme comparative principale pour des missions humanitaires internationales. Nous te guidons tout au long de ton processus de candidature - y compris tous les paiements nécessaires. Planifier ton prochain voyage humanitaire avec Volunteer World te permet d'accéder gratuitement à:
Assurance qualité
Normes éthiques élevées & impact social vérifiable
Option Flex
Modifie ta réservation sans frais supplémentaires
Garantie de remboursement
Si l'organisation annule ton séjour, nous te remboursons les frais
Support & Médiation
Nous te soutenons quelles que soient les circonstances
Notre service est gratuit
Les frais de programme sont perçus directement par Sharklife Conservation Group.

Ce qu’on dit sur Volunteer World

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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