Marine biology internship in South Africa (sharks, dolphins, whales...)

PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES
- Population assessments of white sharks, dolphins, whales
- Population structure, trophic and movement ecology of sharks and marine mammals
- Shark stress physiology and behavioural studies
- Intertidal community assessment
- Surveys of plastic pollution
- Marine Mammal Stranding Response workshop
- Science Communication Course

LEARNING AND SKILL SETS:
- Seamanship and crew in a research vessel
- Ethical fishing for research: how to use catch, tag & release data to monitor shark populations
- Deploy, operate Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV) equipment, Remote Operated Vehicles (ROV) and drones
- Gain experience in how to maintain research boats and scientific equipment

PROGRAM STRUCTURE:
- Arrival 1st of the month
- Work: Mon-Fri (7am to 6pm)
- Weekends are for resting and additional recreational activities

PRICE INCLUDES:
- Research fee
- SCUBA OWD, AOWD or RD certification
- Dorm-style accommodation
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Local transport
- Local airport pickup/drop off
- Internet

PRICE EXCLUDES:
- Airfare
- Insurances
- Laundry
- Tourism

ADDITIONAL OUTPUTS
- Gain course credit (up to 15 credits/month to be coordinated through professor/university)
- Datasets available on request
- Certificate of completion

FURTHER INFO:
- Our town is safe for tourists as many towns in Europe
- No need of vaccinations
- Our region is malaria free

STUDENT FEEDBACK:

- Dr Ryley Elliot (New Zealand). "Without such experience I would not be able to undertake my research on marine megafauna. I owe my career to this organisation".

- Dr Lauren Peel (Australia). "The program brings like-minded people from all over the world together...I witnessed some of the most spectacular displays of wildlife behaviour I will ever see. The gained experience shows prospective employers that you have the ability to apply theoretical principles to practical research in the real world."

- Mr Dorien Schroder (The Netherlands). "The skills I learned during my 3 months in the program, would have taken me years with other organisations... It helped set me apart from other people in the same field".

No previous experience required. You don't need to be a marine biology student. You will be accompanied all the times by experts in the field and professional skippers.