Sharklife Research Assistant Program
Highlights
- 10 - 20 boat-based research trips
- Marine wildlife encounters
- 30 - 60hrs in the field
- Free research diver coaching (5 - 10m)
- 5 -10 scuba dives (if certified)
Overview
The Sharklife Research Assistant program offers a unique opportunity for students and volunteers to gain hands-on experience in shark research within South Africa's largest coastal Marine Protected Area. With direct involvement in all research aspects, participants can develop their skills through knowledge building, practical training, and extensive time spent at sea. This program maintains a maximum of 10 research assistants at a time, ensuring more meaningful field experiences and personal growth.
Sharklife, with its extensive experience in shark conservation since 2005, welcomes early career marine biologists, students, and dedicated volunteers to contribute to their shark research initiatives. Importantly, all data collection methods are non-invasive and do not harm the studied animals. The program focuses on enhancing fieldwork experience, watermanship skills, freediving, scuba diving, and workshops on shark identification, behavior, and biology. Participants also learn data collection, input, and analysis methods for ongoing projects.
- Research expense contribution (fuel, equipment, consumables, etc.)
- Airport transfers
- Private room
- Shark Lectures and materials
- Dive gear/air fills
- Wifi
- 24hr support
- Scuba/Freediving Courses
- Flights
- Travel Insurance/ DAN Insurance
- Meals *Meals - The research accommodation has a fully equipped kitchen where you can prepare your meals. There are daily trips to the local supermarket where you can purchase all common food items. Alternatively, there is a restaurant on site where you can order lunch and dinner from a large menu.
- Vaccinations
- Weekend Activities: These can be scuba diving or field trips
Important Information
Sodwana Bay is a small rural town that borders the pristine world heritage site known as the iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
The park includes South Africa's largest coastal Marine Protected Area, spanning 180 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 as well as a variety of 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 a short drive from a selection of Big 5 Game Reserves which you can 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
Sharklife conducts several research projects with varying focus and seasonality. These projects enable research assistants to gain insight into fundamental marine research methodologies and implementations.
RESEARCH:
Current Studies include:
Ragged-tooth Shark Movement Study:
The study, in collaboration with Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, aims to identify key congregation areas and movement patterns of pregnant spotted Ragged-tooth sharks within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
Skill Development Areas:
Freediving
Scuba Diving
Underwater Photography
Shark Behavior
I3s ID Database Management
Elasmobranch Assessment Study:
The study aims to describe the species diversity, relative abundance, distribution patterns, and habitat associations of elasmobranches occurring in Sodwana Bay.
Skill Development Areas:
Freediving
Scuba Diving
Underwater Photography
Shark Behavior and Identification
BRUV Deployments
Bathymetry Mapping
Turtle Assessment Study:
The study, in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela University, aims to describe the ecology and population dynamics of non-nesting sea turtles occurring in Sodwana Bay. Season: Year-Round
Skill Development Areas:
Freediving
Scuba Diving
Underwater Photography
Turtle Behavior and Identification
I3s Database Management
VERY IMPORTANT FLIGHT DETAILS:
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 King Shaka Durban via Johannesburg O.R Tambo Airport. Please try to arrive no later than 2pm as it's a 4hr drive back to Sodwana Bay.
If you need assistance with travel arrangements please let us know in the booking form.
A Sharklife staff member will pick you up from the airport on your arrival day.
If you are unsure please do not hesitate to ask for help.