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GREAT WHITE SHARK RESEARCH INTERNSHIP

The Shark Research Unit’s great white shark research internship allows people from all walks of life to participate in shark research, education, conservation, and edu-tourism in Mossel Bay, South Africa.

Our great white shark research internship offers a diverse itinerary to suit the expectations of a broad cross-section of participants. Our great white shark internship provides an experiential approach to observing and learning about great white sharks and other species in the area. 

The ultimate goals of the great white shark research internship are education, public awareness, the advancement of shark science, and the conservation of all shark species. We hope you will bring your skills and passion for helping to understand and conserve these incredible animals!

Orcas won’t ruin your internship training program.

The occurrence of orcas attacking great white sharks at Mossel Bay can lead to a temporary displacement of the local shark population. In such an event, our internship program has contingencies in place to ensure that our research and edu-tourism expeditions can continue smoothly. If such an event occurs during your internship, we will relocate to our research facility at Aliwal Shoal, where we will continue conducting expeditions on sand tiger sharks, blacktip sharks, and tiger sharks.

Although the displacement of great white sharks may cause temporary disruptions to our research efforts in Mossel Bay, our base team will continue to monitor and conduct long-term programs in the bay until the white sharks return. This will help us to gather valuable data on the impact of the orcas’ predation on the local shark population and their behavior upon their return.

By having a contingency plan in place, we can ensure that our interns and researchers can continue their work, even in the face of unforeseen events. Our priority is to provide a safe and enriching learning experience for our interns while contributing to the understanding and conservation of marine ecosystems.

Overview

Overview

The Shark Research Unit’s great white shark research internship allows people from all walks of life to participate in shark research, conservation, edu-tourism and education projects in Mossel Bay, South Africa.

Our great white shark research internship offers a diverse itinerary to suit the expectations of a broad cross-section of participants. Our great white shark internship provides a hands-on approach to observing great white sharks and other species in the area. We offer you the chance to visit and learn with a loyal and dedicated team behind you!

The ultimate goals of the great white shark internship are education, public awareness, the advancement of shark science and the conservation of all shark species. We hope you will bring your skills and passion for helping conserve these incredible animals!

Eligibility

Unlock the opportunity of a lifetime through our Great White Shark Research Internship Program, a gateway for individuals with the passion and availability to make a tangible difference in great white shark conservation, education, and citizen science initiatives. Whether you’re an enthusiast or an aspiring marine biologist, this program welcomes all who share our commitment to safeguarding these incredible apex predators.

For those eager to delve deeper and venture into the underwater realm alongside our research team, participation in recreational SCUBA dives is an option. To ensure safety and competence, an open-water SCUBA certification is a prerequisite. If you’re not yet certified, you have the flexibility to attain this certification either before embarking on your internship journey or during your time with us.

If you’re new to the world of SCUBA diving, our program accommodates your learning curve.  Alternatively, if you’re already a certified diver, you can take strides to enhance your SCUBA certification level through collaboration with our partner local dive centres.

Enrich your experience beyond theory and books. Immerse yourself in the ocean’s depths, working side by side with our team of dedicated researchers and marine enthusiasts. Make a lasting impact as you engage in meaningful projects while expanding your understanding of marine ecosystems and conservation strategies.

Join our ranks in the noble pursuit of safeguarding the great white shark population. Your contribution matters, and together, we propel scientific discovery and conservation efforts forward. Dive into a transformative journey with the Great White Shark Research Internship Program and be a catalyst for change.

Program Highlights

Experience the thrill of a lifetime with our unparalleled Great White Shark expeditions in the captivating setting of Mossel Bay, South Africa. Immerse yourself in the world of these majestic creatures through an array of unforgettable activities meticulously designed to offer you an in-depth understanding of their behavior and habitat.

Embark on exhilarating cage diving ventures that bring you face-to-face with these awe-inspiring predators. Capture their magnificence through both photographic and underwater video recordings, enabling you to preserve the memories forever. Engage in meticulous behavioral observation studies, gaining insights into their natural instincts and interactions.

Venturing beyond Mossel Bay, our expeditions take you to Plettenberg Bay’s Robberg Reserve. Here, you’ll participate in a bird’s-eye scientific survey, witnessing the great white sharks as they patrol and hunt around the dynamic seal colony. This vantage point offers a unique perspective to comprehend their strategic prowess in their natural hunting grounds.

For those seeking even closer encounters, our SCUBA or free diving expeditions provide the chance to interact with shy sharks and catsharks. Feel the rush as you navigate the underwater realm they call home, forging a connection with these lesser-known but equally fascinating species.

But our expeditions go beyond mere adventure; we are committed to conservation and education. Contribute meaningfully by dedicating two days to volunteer at the SAPREC bird rehabilitation center, actively participating in the rehabilitation of precious seabirds and playing a role in preserving the delicate marine ecosystem.

To further enrich your experience, we offer an Introduction to Free Diving course, accompanied by immersive practical sessions. Develop newfound skills that connect you even more profoundly to the underwater world.

Join us in Mossel Bay for an expedition that transcends ordinary adventure. Gain insight, preserve memories, contribute to conservation, and forge an unbreakable bond with the ocean’s most magnificent inhabitants. Your journey of discovery and connection awaits.

Program Details

PROGRAM TYPE – great white shark research internship

PROGRAM LOCATION – Mossel Bay and Aliwal Shoal, South Africa

PROGRAM FOCUS – shark research, shark conservation, shark education, shark edutourism

Specific projects conducted subject to permit permissions held at the time of participation

Duration & Prices

Duration and Price of Program

The program consists of both on-site and off-site work. Prior to arrival in South Africa, participants are required to complete a two – three week online eLearning program aimed at giving your a thoretical grounding in the shark and research skills required to enable you to make a meaningful contribution to the program. Onsite, participants will focus on practical work and can participate for a minimum period of two weeks and a maximum period of three months.

Cost of Program for you
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Incl. / Exclu.

Expedition numbers presented are based on a 4-week participation period on the great white shark research internship program. The real expedition numbers will be proportional to how long you participate on the program. 

Includes

Comprehensive Training Programs

Elevate your skills and knowledge with our diverse range of training courses tailored to your interests and aspirations.

Guided Expert Training Onsite

Benefit from hands-on, expert-led training sessions conducted right at our facility. Our experienced professionals ensure you gain practical skills that are both valuable and immediately applicable.

Thrilling Great White Shark Excursions (Subject to Weather)

Experience the apex predators of the ocean up close during our captivating Great White Shark trips. Note that these expeditions are subject to weather conditions for your safety and comfort.

Plettenberg Bay White Shark Expedition

Participate in our unique land observation expedition in Plettenberg Bay during the peak shark season. Witness the great white sharks in their natural habitat from a new perspective.

SCUBA and Free Diving Shark Expeditions

Dive into the depths and encounter these majestic creatures on SCUBA or free diving trips. Immerse yourself in their world while adhering to safety protocols and responsible practices.

Seabird Rehabilitation Conservation Journeys

Make a meaningful difference by joining our conservation trips dedicated to seabird rehabilitation. Contribute firsthand to the protection of these vital marine species.

Engaging Learner Awareness Trips

For those eager to learn, our awareness trips offer an immersive educational experience. Gain insights into marine conservation and ecology through engaging activities and discussions.

Introduction to Freediving Course

Embark on a journey of discovery with our Introduction to Freediving course.

Comfortable Accommodation (Dormitory Style)

Rest and recharge in our comfortable dormitory-style accommodations. Connect with fellow participants in a relaxed and welcoming environment.

Delicious and Nutritious Meals

Indulge in three daily meals that cater to your culinary preferences: enjoy a continental breakfast, a hearty cooked lunch, and a satisfying cooked dinner.

Stay Connected with Internet Access

Stay in touch with the world with included internet access, allowing you to share your experiences and stay updated during your stay.

Effortless Local Transport

We’ve got your transportation needs covered, including airport shuttles. Experience seamless travel arrangements that ensure you focus on what truly matters – your enriching experience with us.

Excludes
    • International Flights
    • Travel Insurance
    • Laundry
    • Weekend experiences
    • Additional drinks and food
    • Souvenirs
    • Single Accommodation (optional addon)
    • Specialized meal plan (optional addon)

Specific projects conducted subject to permit permissions held at the time of participation

Projects

Research Projects

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 vessel.

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.

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 conducted on sharks other than great white sharks under project guidelines of the Oceanographic Research Institute (ORI).

Conservation Projects

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 conservation needs and efforts of sharks throughout the world.

Education Projects

Tourism educator. Adopt 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.

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.

Specific projects conducted subject to permit permissions held at the time of participation

Training

Skills Development

Attending the Great White Shark Research Internship Program is an investment in your career. No matter your current expertise, you will be working toward improving your employ-ability by mastering new social skills, gaining further technical expertise, and potentially earning an additional qualifications. We have helped many of our Alumni discover, move toward, and earn their own personal dream jobs, be in in shark research, ecotourism, underwater filmmaking or conservation. Our program includes introductory workshops, ongoing eLearning presentations, as well as on-the-ground support provided by our very own trained scientists. 

Photographic Identification

Master the photographic skills required to produce mark recapture data on a variety of shark species. This includes establishing the camera settings to ensure clean, sharp and valuable identification photographs.

Visual Tags

Train in the skills to safely and ethically place visual ‘mark recapture’ tags on ragged tooth sharks and small endemic shy sharks.

 

Behavioural Ethograms

Develop and employ behaviour ethograms to understand the behaviour and social interaction of shark species. Including great white sharks, ragged tooth sharks and others.

Education officer

Develop skills to be an effective education communicator who can inform and entertain tourism guests during shark ecotourism expeditions.

 

Seabird Rehabilitation 

Train in providing care and husbandry of oiled and entangled seabirds at the SANPREC seabird rescue centre.

Specific training received subject to permission held at the time of participation

Testimonials

ALUMNI REVIEWS

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Team

Who will you be working with?

Nico Booyens

Research Scientist 

Sophu Qoma

Conservationist 

Ryan Johnson M.Sc.

Research Scientist

Gibbs Kuguru Ph.D. (Cand.)

Associate Researcher

Learn more about our team

Publications

Key Publications

The Shark Research Unit is dedicated to producing tangible scientific result. Be assured that your contribution to our research will benefit the understanding of South Africa’s shark populations.

All publications

Boarding

White Shark Research Interns will stay at our luxury shark center for the duration of the program. The facility offers single sex dorm accommodation or single private accommodation if you request. Catered daily meals will be provided throughout your stay.

FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions
Visa's - Do I need one?

No. You will not be employed by the Shark Research Unit nor paid. On this internship you are entitled to enter on a temporary visitors permit (e.g. tourism permit). Tourist visiting visas are usually issued for three months/90 days upon entry in South Africa. However, we do recommend that you contact the South African Embassy or Consulate in your country and confirm this fact.  If you plan to travel in South Africa prior or after the course for a period extending 90 days, you will have to apply for a Volunteer VISA application through your home embassy.

Quickly evaluate the visa status of your country when visiting South Africa here 

Medication - Can I get my meds?

South Africa is far from Malaria areas, and there are no strange African diseases which you could pick up (that is if you respect the same safety rules as anywhere else in the world).

Please ensure that you bring any medication required. If you will require medication whist in South Africa, please contact us to ensure that it is available.

Extra money - How much must I bring?

A lot of interns enjoy extra trips and tourism activities when time permits. We recommend you have around USD1000 extra per month if you wish to go on these. Please note you do not have to go on ANY of these extra trips. This is simply for your information should you wish to.

Arrivals - What happens when I arrive?

When it comes to support, we ensure that each participant is provided with unparalleled, 360 degree support, from your initial contact with the Shark Research Unit, all the way through your program, and even after, as you become part of the SRU Alumni Team.

As part of this promise, we will ensure that one of our dedicated staff will be available to meet you at George airport or the Mossel Bay bus station. We also set up a Whatsapp group to help with managing airport arrivals and assist you during your travel. We will arrange with you prior to your departure that, should you arrive in the agreed upon pick up window, a member of our staff will be there to welcome you, easily identifiable in a Shark Research Unit t-shirt and wearing a friendly smile. This means there will be someone there to greet you as you land, and from there you will be transported to the SRU base base to start your adventure and meet the rest of your team.

Packing - What must I bring?

If you are getting ready to pack, here is a rough packing list of items you should consider bringing.

Clothing

  • Work clothes. Bring what you are comfortable in, but ensure that you have warm, strong work clothing of neutral colours, solid work shoes such as hiking boots or trainers, a good sun hat with a wide brim and a warm hat/beanie. Gloves can be helpful for early mornings. Bring a tracksuit or something similar to lounge around in during the evenings, which can get cold. Also, face buffs help keep off the cold in the evenings.
  • Social clothes. Mossel Bay is a small town, so social clothing should reflect a casual, non-formal style.
  • A swimming costume.

 Video and electronic gear

You are more than welcome to bring any personal videography or photographic equipment, however, this is totally optional. 

Miscellaneous 

  • Covid negative test results
  • Toiletries &  strong sunscreen (there are also plenty of shops to purchase from).
  • Prescription medication.
  • Passport & photocopy of passport.
  • Bank cards (inform your bank of your travels).
  • Spare cash.
  • Phone & cables.

Mail

  • Accommodation address – 182 Aalwyn Way, Aalwyndal, Mossel Bay.
Insurance - Do I need extra insurance?

When you are accepted into this internship program, you will have to sign liability, copyright documents, as well an agreement that you are knowingly partaking in potentially dangerous activities. You will not be covered for accidents, breakages, theft or illnesses, so please do organize your own medical and travel insurances. Chances that you will be injured by a shark are very slim if you follow the safety guidelines, and do not try anything foolish of which we would not approve. However, you will be working in an ocean environment which can result in accidents. So it is important to be covered in case of an emergency or accident. Be sure to have an insurance cover for your entire stay in Southern Africa.

Duration - How long can I participate?

The program consists of both on-site and off-site work.

Prior to arrival in South Africa, participants are required to complete a two week online eLearning program aimed at grounding you in the theoretical skills required to enable you to make a meaningful contribution to the program.

Onsite, participants can participate for a minimum period of two weeks and a maximum period of three months.

Covid-19

Covid-19 Safety Protocols

Since our inception, the Shark Research Unit has prioritised the health and safety of our staff, participants, partners and local community members. In response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, SRU has created the SRU health and hygiene team to put in place new standards of cleanliness, norms and behaviours that meet international recommendations to ensure the ongoing safety of  participants, staff and the local community. Internationally recommended practices, such as advice from the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the governments Australia, UK and US, continue to be monitored and the standards are likely to change if and when international advice changes.

Is your dream to work with sharks?

ABOUT US

The Shark Research Unit is a shark and marine research and conservation institute driven by a passionate team of shark experts. We are located in South Africa and work in two regions of priority – Aliwal Shoal and Mossel Bay. 

Our core purpose is to conduct and support original shark research, conservation and education programs through strategic partnerships with marine scientists, postgraduate students, ecotourism operators and academic institutes. 

Our focus extends to nurturing a new generation (of all ages) of shark scientists, professionals and enthusiasts. We achieve this through our great white shark research internship, learner outreach programs and expert guided shark edu-tours  

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MOSSEL BAY CENTER

  • 182 Aalwyn Way
  • Aalwyndal
  • Mossel Bay 6520
  • South Africa

ALIWAL SHOAL CENTER

  • 34 Edgerton Rd
  • Freeland Park
  • Scottburgh 4180
  • South Africa

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