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Aliwal Shoal Marine Research Institute - Marine Research and Citizen Science Program - South Africa  

SHARK CUSTODIAN PROGRAM

CONSERVATION THROUGH

EDUCATION

OVERVIEW

Anecdotal data over the years have shown that the numbers of Ragged Tooth Sharks (Raggies) are decreasing on Aliwal Shoal each year. This is an issue, as these sharks are known for using the shoal as a mating site. There have been no other mating sites discovered on the South African coast for these sharks and so the question that comes up is; where are these sharks going if they are not coming back to shoal to mate?

However, anecdotal data is not enough for the marine biologists to know if the numbers are in fact decreasing from year to year.

That’s where you come in!

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

 

This program will tie in with our Shark Photo ID Program where the data will compliment each other and show us whether the Raggies are coming back to the shoal or not. The program will provide students with the needed marine science skills in order to keep a track of the numbers of raggies underwater. The program is designed specifically to provide students with the knowledge and skills to:  

 

  • Practice safe protocols whilst diving with the Ragged tooth shark

  • Correctly apply identification techniques of the raggies (and other shark species)

  • Be able to sex and identify each individual shark

  • Manage effectively the equipment needed to identify sharks

  • Conduct a visual census of the sharks

 

PROGRAM INCLUDES:

 

  • Accommodation

  • Basic meals

  • In program transfers

  • Project Aware Shark Conservation Speciality

  • PADI Digital Underwater Photography Course

  • Lectures

  • Scuba activities 

  • Cylinders and weights

  • Course material

 

PACKAGE EXCLUDES:

 

  • Flights

  • Insurance

  • Scuba Equipment rental

  • Stationary

 

COURSE CONTENT

 

  • Aliwal Shoal shark species identification and shark protocol.

  • The Ragged Tooth Shark inside and out.

  • Scientific diving, general aspects, diving equipment and specialized procedures

  • The aquatic environment. Habitat and aquatic ecosystems. Marine wildlife. Ecological relationships. Hazards. Conservation and pollution. 


  • Marine technology (Photographic sampling, stereo-video surveys, ROVs, etc.). Search and recovery of objects. 


  • Weather and climate of Aliwal Shoal. Preparation of research vessels. Site location and mapping. Natural navigation instruments. 


  • The scuba diver and its role today in citizen science. Conservation initiatives. Marine research programs. Careers in marine research. 


 

APPLY NOW
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