Sharklife Marine Biology Internship Program

location
2 - 12 settimane  ·  Età 18 - 50+

rating  Eccezionale 4.9  · 
  Verificato da Volunteer World
  Tasso di risposta eccellente

Punti Salienti

  • Experience working in challenging ocean environments
  • Learn essential boating operational skills
  • Bridge the gap between scientific theory and practical application

Punti Salienti

  • Experience working in challenging ocean environments
  • Learn essential boating operational skills
  • Bridge the gap between scientific theory and practical application
  • Develop your work ethic
  • Encounter diverse marine mega fauna and dive in warm clear ocean environments


  • Particolarmente adatto per

    Età 18+
    Singoli
    Gruppi

    Sul programma

    Based in the heart of the Zulu Kingdom, this marine biology internship offers adventurous students and volunteers a unique platform to gain hands-on experience.

    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 ...

    Sul programma

    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 - $ 470
    • PADI Advanced Diver Course - $ 470

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

     Highlights:  

    - Up to 3 boat based field trips per week (weather dependent)

    - Diverse marine wildlife encounters

    - Crewing a research vessel

    - Snorkeling and freediving (5 – 10m)

    - Rolling over VR2 receiver stations

    - Deploying stereo-BRUVS

    - Collecting water samples

    - Rolling over RUVS

    - Conducting intertidal zone surveys


     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


    Sodwana Bay is a small rural town bordering the pristine world heritage site, 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, various 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 several 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.





    Giornata tipica

    Depending on weather conditions, your days will be divided into land and ocean days.

    Typical Field Days: 07:00 – 15:00 

    After preparing the boat and equipment for the sea we head to the beach. Interns and volunteers are an integral part of the team and assist directly with all beach and boating ...

    Giornata tipica

    Depending on weather conditions, your days will be divided into land and ocean days.

    Typical Field Days: 07:00 – 15:00 

    After preparing the boat and equipment for the 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 sighting data, and change out equipment. Interns get the opportunity to develop seamanship and diving skills while encountering a wide variety of marine life. 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 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. 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


    Attività del tempo libero

    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 ...

    Attività del tempo libero

    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. 

    Requisiti

    Requisiti

    Età minima: 18 anni

    Per partecipare al programma è necessario avere almeno 18 anni alla data di inizio del programma. Potrebbero esserci delle esenzioni se si è in grado di fornire il permesso del proprio tutore legale o se si è accompagnati dai propri genitori.

    Competenze linguistiche

    È necessario parlare di Inglese (livello intermedio)

    Requisiti di formazione

    Marine Sciences, Biology & Conservation (not essential) a livello High school

    Restrizioni sulla nazionalità

    Nessuna restrizione. Gli aiuti da tutto il mondo sono benvenuti.

    Altre competenze

    be enrolled as a marine science student or post-grad be a passionate ocean conservationist be between 18 – 35 yrs old be from any country speak English at an intermediate level enjoy communal living and work well in a team

    Impegno di tempo

    Il vostro aiuto sarà richiesto lunedì, martedì, mercoledì, giovedì e venerdì da 07:00 - 16:00

    Servizi inclusi

    Servizi inclusi

    Servizi per 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 toward the implementation of research projects.

    • Costs include

      Boat-based field trips (research expenses)

      Scuba surveys and Park entry

      Airport transfers

      Private room

      Workshops

      All dive gear

      Wifi

      24hr support

    Excluded: 

    Scuba courses (see pricing)

    Flights 

    Travel insurance / DAN Insurance

    Meals * (Budget $50 -$100 p/w)

    Weekend activities: (scuba diving or out-of-town trips)

    * Meals – The research accommodation has a fully equipped kitchen where you can prepare your meals. There are regular trips to the local supermarket where you can purchase all common food items.  Alternatively, there is a restaurant across the road where you can order lunch and dinner from a large menu. 


    Cost Structure Explanation

    At Sharklife, our pricing for interns reflects the high costs involved in running a remote marine field station.

    Initial Weeks: The first few weeks of your stay not only include the high costs of airport transfers but also include scientific workshops, lectures, and scuba courses if required. This intensive training period is essential for equipping you with the necessary skills and knowledge to contribute effectively to our monitoring and research efforts.

    Extended Stays: We encourage students to stay for longer periods because, as you gain more experience, you can take on more responsibilities and assist with a wider range of tasks. To incentivize longer stays and recognize your increased skill sets, we reduce the costs progressively after the initial 4 weeks, making the program more affordable. By structuring the costs this way, we aim to provide a high-quality educational experience while also fostering long-term commitment and contribution to the conservation projects.

    Prelievo dall'aeroporto a Richards Bay 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 Richards Bay airport via Johannesburg O.R Tambo Airport or Cape Town International Airport. Please book your flight to arrive no later than 1 pm as it's a 4-hour 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 1 pm you would need to arrive the day before and stay over in Richards Bay to meet us at the airport the next day at the arranged time.

    For the departure flight please book a flight for after 1 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.

    Alloggio

    You will be situated within the intern camp located next to the Sharklife Ocean Center. 

    We have a total of ten rooms.

    Nine rooms are small yet secure and private, these nine 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.

    Restaurants within walking distance.

    Accesso a Internet

    Accesso limitato al sito del progetto

    Cosa NON è incluso?

    Cosa NON è incluso?

    Cibo e Bevande

    Cibo, snack o bevande sono a pagamento.

    Biglietti aerei

    L'aeroporto più vicino è Richards Bay Airport (RCB) a Richards Bay. Vi aiutiamo a trovare voli economici per Sudafrica. TROVARE VOLI ECONOMICI

    Assicurazione di viaggio

    Andare all'estero è un'avventura ed è sempre meglio essere preparati. Malattia o infortunio improvviso, annullamento o furto: un'assicurazione di viaggio per Sudafrica offre sicurezza ed è un vantaggio da avere. OTTENERE UN PREZZO

    Vaccini

    Se avete intenzione di fare volontariato a Sudafrica dovete chiedere un parere medico prima di iniziare il vostro viaggio sociale. Controllare le vaccinazioni richieste per Sudafrica. CHECKER PER I VACCINI

    Dettagli all'arrivo

    Start Dates: 2024/2025
     

    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 Richards Bay airport via Johannesburg O.R Tambo Airport or Cape Town International Airport. Please book your flight to arrive no later than 1 pm as it's a 4-hour 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 1 pm you would need to arrive the day before and stay over in Richards Bay to meet us at the airport the next day at the arranged time.

    For the departure flight please book a flight for after noon – 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.

    Disponibilità
    gen feb mar apr mag giu lug ago set ott nov dic

    Tariffe del programma

    2 settimane (soggiorno min.) 2.244€
    4 settimane 3.162€
    6 settimane 3.741€
    8 settimane 4.324€
    10 settimane 4.865€
    12 settimane (soggiorno max.) 5.352€
    Tariffe medie 784€/settimana

    Tariffe del programma

    784€ tariffe settimanali 2 - 12 settimane Età 18 - 50+

    Modalità di pagamento

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    NESSUNA COMMISSIONE PER LA CARTA DI CREDITO


    Durata

    2 - 12 settimane

    Deposito

    Il deposito serve semplicemente a prenotare il vostro posto di volontario. I pagamenti sono gestiti da PayPal, il nostro fornitore globale di fiducia. Se non avete un conto PayPal, potete pagare anche con carta di credito.


    Pagamento Finale

    Il pagamento finale sarà concordato con Sharklife Conservation Group durante il processo di candidatura. Le soluzioni più comuni sono il bonifico bancario o il pagamento in contanti presso la sede del progetto.


    Incontra il tuo ospite

    Sharklife Conservation Group

    Eccezionale 4.9 rating (10 recensioni)

    Non-profit - fondata nel 2005

    Verificato da Volunteer World

      Tasso di risposta eccellente

    Ospitato da

    Candice

    Lingue parlate: Inglese, Afrikaans

    Sul progetto

    Established in 2005, Sharklife addresses the alarming exploitation of both shark populations and ocean fisheries in South African waters.

    Incontra il tuo ospite

    Who we are
    • Sharklife is a small organisation with a large reach.  The founding members have a extensive amount of experience with sharks and associated conservation tactics. 
    Our history
    • Sharklife is one of the longest standing shark focused conservation organisations in the world.  We began our organisation in the times when shark conservation wasn't as widely appreciated or accepted like it is today. We still work tirelessly today to drive the urgent need for ocean conservation actions on a global scale. 
    Our Aims
    1. To develop a compassionate desire to conserve sharks by altering public misconceptions about sharks and replacing the "Jaws" syndrome with positive understanding and respect.
    2. Reduce anthropogenic threats to over exploited marine species by increasing awareness and encouraging sustainable seafood choices.
    3. Increase marine tourism and transform shark populations into a sustainable living resource by developing educational ocean experiences for all South African’s
    What we do
    • Sharklife strives to develop and implement tangible marine conservation projects. We have a broad focus addressing shark conservation on many levels.  
    Where we work 
    • The Sharklife Ocean Center is based in Sodwana Bay,  located in Northern Kwa-Zulu Natal South Africa. The village borders the pristine world heritage site known as the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. This small rural village is safe with Cash ATM's, Restaurants, Grocery Shop, Free Wifi, Laundry Service, Dive Shop.
    Who we are looking for
    • Sharklife needs people who are passionate about shark conservation, people who are driven to develop their skills and the experience necessary to make meaningful inroads in the field of marine conservation. 
    Why choose us
    • Sharklife is an established, authentic conservation organisation with a wealth of experience in both shark behavior and the ocean environment. 

    10 recensioni · rating4.9

    I spent one month at sharklife in Sodwana Bay and it was definitely one of the best months of my life and I wish it had been longer. I am not a biologist, but a physicist, so it was very interesting for me to see how work is done in this field of science. During my time at sharklife I was able to ...
    Jasper Venezia rating4.6

    2021 at Sharklife Marine Biology Internship Program

    I spent 1 month with this association. Honestly I was such an amazing experience that I can't put it into words. The staff was amazing, they knew a lot and taught us a lot. They are very interest and motivated with shark conservation. I didn't have any experience with sharks in the past but I left ...
    Isabella Aitkenhead rating5

    2019 at Sharklife Marine Biology Internship Program

    The Sharkklife internship experience was like no other! I learnt so much about sharks and shark conservation, my head was just filled with exciting new information for the two weeks. Not only did I learn a lot of valuable skills and information, the staff at Sharklife have inspired me to become a ...
    Great experience for any ocean or shark enthousiast Had two really great weeks with Sharklife. It's a small but verry dedicated organisation. This makes the program personal and welcoming. It's great to spend time with like minded people exploring the ocean and learning things you always wondered ...
    Sharklife an example of what we need more of! Its a brilliant organisation that truel focuses on what we can do to help protect sharks! Through the internship you really get to feel involved and also learn a lot about sharks and conservation. Grants genuine passion and enthusiasm for sharks comes ...
    Nothing more perfectly summarises what the Sharklife Internship is all about, than the quote above! We got close to sharks, rays, rays and even dolphins, learnt about the critters of the sea, looked into shark biology and learnt how to free dive, all of this is just two weeks. For someone who had an ...

    Posizione

    Africa > Africa del Sud > Sudafrica > Kwa-Zulu Natal

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