The Shark Research Unit’s dynamic Shark Development Program offers individuals from diverse backgrounds a unique opportunity to cultivate hands-on expertise for a fulfilling career centred around the study and interaction with tropical shark species. This comprehensive program encompasses a variety of essential skills tailored for engaging with remarkable creatures such as tiger sharks, blacktip sharks, and sand tiger (ragged-tooth) sharks.
As a pivotal member of the Shark Research Unit team, you will play a crucial role in driving our educational and conservation initiatives. Your contribution will be instrumental in sustaining the continuous triumph of our research projects, both on an individual species level and within the broader ecosystem context.
Beyond mere theory, program participants will actively engage in shark diving and snorkelling encounters with up to five distinct shark species. These immersive experiences take place in the pristine expanse of the Aliwal Shoal Marine Protected Area, a pivotal hub of marine biodiversity in South Africa.
The Shark Research Unit’s – Shark Development Program allows people from all walks of life to develop practical skills for a career working and interacting with tropical shark species, including tiger sharks, blacktip sharks and sand tiger (ragged-tooth) sharks.
PROGRAM TYPE – Shark Development Program PROGRAM LOCATION – Scottburgh, South Africa PROGRAM FOCUS – Career training to work/dive professionally with tropical shark species
Immerse yourself in captivating snorkelling expeditions exclusively focused on observing tiger and blacktip sharks (available seasonally) within the breathtaking expanse of Aliwal Shoal, South Africa. For those seeking a more profound encounter, our program also includes specialized SCUBA diving expeditions aimed at tracking sand tiger sharks, designed to enhance your understanding of both shark research and advanced diving techniques. Additionally, we extend our reach through impactful outreach expeditions to local schools and eager learners, fostering awareness and understanding of these incredible marine species.
Participants will focus on practical work and can participate for a minimum period of two weeks and a maximum period of three months.
Eligibility:
The Shark Development Program warmly welcomes individuals from all walks of life who possess the passion and availability to forge a career centered around sharks within realms such as shark research, conservation, education, ecotourism, or media. For those aspiring to partake in the team’s SCUBA diving endeavors, an open-water SCUBA certification is a prerequisite. This certification can be either obtained prior to or during your engagement in the program. However, having an advanced open-water SCUBA certificate is strongly recommended.
Expedition numbers are estimates based on a 4-week participation period on the shark development program. The real expedition numbers will be proportional to how long you participate on the program.
The program encompasses:
Attending the Shark Development program is an investment in your career. No matter your current expertise, you will be working toward improving your employability by mastering new social skills, gaining further technical expertise, and potentially earning an additional qualification. 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 research team.
Photographic Identification:
Learn various techniques and utilize specialized software programs to accurately identify individual sharks within a population. This includes capturing clear and valuable images for mark-recapture studies, as well as analysing and comparing identification features using advanced tools.
Education Officer
Build skills to become an effective communicator, educating and engaging divers during shark ecotourism expeditions. Share current research and conservation initiatives with local communities, resident divers, and international visitors drawn to Aliwal Shoal’s unique marine ecosystem.
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Research Scientist
Conservation Scientist
Accommodation and full catering is offered throughout the duration of the Shark Development Program. Accommodation is typically in single sex dorms.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
The primary purpose of the program is to offer you extensive real world training and experience in driving shark research, conservation, education and ecotourism operations and campaigns. We believe that shark ecotourism operations also have a duty to drive education, conservation and research initiatives. As such, our participants drive many of these programs. So in addition to becoming an expert shark diver, many of your experiences will empower you in the fields of shark education, research and conservation.
Our program runs from March to November annually. Participants typically book onto the program from 2weeks up to 3 months. Longer than 3 months, requires a special visa to South Africa, and thus we limit participation to the three month period.
If you are getting ready to pack, here is a rough packing list of items you should consider bringing. Clothing
Video and electronic gear You are more than welcome to bring any personal videography or photographic equipment, however, this is totally optional. Miscellaneous
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.
The program consists of both on-site and off-site work. Prior to arrival in South Africa, participants are required to complete a three 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.
On the program, we are flexible with our daily activities, and the Shark Research Unit works out a daily program the night before – using the general schedule as a guide. This works great, as it is difficult to predict weather conditions many days in advance. We try to work 5 days a week (which often covers weekends) with a couple of days break during the week.
No – Many of our adventures are snorkel based, so you will be able to participate in all activities even if you cant SCUBA dive. But many of our students choose this as a time to get qualified with a SCUBA qualification.
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.
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
MOSSEL BAY CENTER
ALIWAL SHOAL CENTRE
Deciding to travel internationally during Covid-19 can be stressful. The Shark Research Unit has introduced flexi-booking guarantees to allow scientists, students and interns to plan trips with confidence and the assurance that neither your time or money will be wasted.
Flexi dates
Book now (lockin earlybird specials) and choose your dates when you are certain you are ready to travel
Rescheduling
Should your personal situation change or a travel restriction be put in place, then freely reschedule without any fees or penalties.
Money-back
If an offical travel restriction occurs during your scheduled dates, then we guarantee a full refund.
South Africa is dedicated to safe and easy travel to and from South Africa. Spend 2-minutes reading the latest official policy on international travel during Covid
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