Hand thanks for visiting this page to learn about our great white shark research internship. Like many aspiring marine scientists, I dedicated way too many years at university to achieve my goal. During this time, I did, however, miss out on many practical skills that could have ‘fast-tracked’ my ability as a field specialist marine scientist. Specifically, the practical skills that are so essential to becoming successful as a field scientist, shark wrangler, educator or even an ecotourism guide. 

With my passion for great white sharks, I joined forces with a number of shark conservation and research colleagues to set up the great white shark research internship program. This program is designed to allow students and shark enthusiasts to develop the hands-on skills needed to work with sharks on a daily basis, be it in science, education, conservation or tourism fields. If you are considering joining this internship in South Africa, reach out to our team and we will connect with you immediately. Hope to hear from you soon

Ryan

Our White Shark Internship offers a diverse itinerary to suit the expectations of a broad cross-section of participants who seek to work with the ocean’s greatest predator. The field internship program provides a hands-on approach to working with great white sharks and other species in the area, including conducting novel research, outreach and conservation programs. The ultimate goal of the great white shark research internship is to increase public awareness, advance shark science and assist in the conservation of South Africa’s unique shark species. We are hoping you can bring your skills and passion for helping understand and conserve these incredible animals!

The programs highlights include:

• • Eight dedicated great white shark research expeditions in Mossel Bay, South Africa.
  • A three-day expedition to Plettenberg Bay’s Robberg Reserve for a bird-eye scientific survey of great white sharks patrolling and hunting at the seal colony; and
  • Six research and conservation SCUBA (or freediving) expeditions to conduct studies on sand tiger (ragged-tooth) sharks and small, shy sharks

The great white shark research internship program is open to everyone with the time available and the desire to contribute to our great white shark conservation, education and citizen science efforts. If participants want to join the team on recreational SCUBA dives, then an open-water SCUBA certification is required. This can be gained either before or during your participation in the internship.

Great White Shark Population. Monitor and determine the local population of great white sharks using photo identification of dorsal fins, pigmentation patterns, and additional measures (e.g. CPUE) collected through citizen science research on white shark cage diving tourism vessels.

Colour change in sharks. Conduct colour change study in great white sharks and other species. utilise colour boards, and skin sampling to describe the hormonal control of shark’s colours.

Predator-prey techniques. Conduct visual observations and utilise behavioural ethograms to describe and assess the predator-prey dynamics of great white sharks and Cape fur seals.

eDNA. Contribute to the genetic profiling of the resident great white shark population through environmental DNA sampling.

Diversity assessment. Monitor shark abundance and diversity on local reefs through observation recreational dives.

Tracking. Contribute to ORI shark tracking studies using visual tags. These studies are conducted on sharks other than great white sharks under project guidelines of the Oceanographic Research Institute (ORI).

Beach & reef clean. Assist in our biweekly efforts to keep the beaches and reef systems of Mossel Bay clean with dedicated cleanups.

Seabird rehabilitation. Contribute biweekly to the husbandry and maintenance of injured and oiled seabirds by volunteer working with the SAPREC foundation

Stop shark fining campaign. Assist in our ongoing online social media awareness campaigns fighting for the cease of unregulated shark fishing and the practice of shark fining.

Save sharks production. Host and produce our monthly podcast and vlog series highlighting the conservation needs and efforts of sharks throughout the world.

Tourism educator. Adopt the role of educator on great white shark ecotourism expeditions. Ensure that cage diving is presented correctly and guests depart as ambassadors for shark conservation.

Learner educator. Travel with the team as we visit schools throughout South Africa’s garden route and engage with learners on the importance of ocean and shark conservation.

Surfer kids mentorship. Join our mentorship partnership with the Surfer kids of Mossel Bay. The Surfer kids are a passionate non-profit club for underprivileged and street children who are bettering themselves by learning to surf, swim, develop marine professions and become ocean ambassadors.

Visitor Education. Join in on our biweekly presentations on shark research and conservation to tourists visiting Mossel Bay. Enjoy these evenings of education and enlightenment at some of the towns top hotels.