Great White Shark & Marine Conservation Internship Detail

Great White Shark & Marine Conservation Internship

Project activities

Great White Shark Research:

Currently, our research programme into Great White Sharks includes studies of:

• Population dynamics within the area and the effect of changes in the marine environment throughout the year
• Feeding habits
• Comparisons between the habits of the Great White Sharks in the Atlantic area of Klein Bay and those in the Indian Ocean near Mossel Bay
• Interactions between Great White Sharks and the breeding population of diverse cetaceans.

This research is being conducted together with university departments and institutes in South Africa including the Universities of Cape Town, Pretoria and the North West. We work closely with scientists from Oceans and Coasts, the government’s national co-ordinating coastal management agency.


Your time at Sea: 

Every effort will be made to maximise your time at sea collecting data and conducting research from Lwazi and the two other vessels of our eco-tourism partners including:

Tracking White Sharks

24-hour tracking shifts follow sharks for as many days as conditions allow and data collection requires. Tracking needs you to spend a night at sea as shifts are rotated between crews. As part of a tracking team you will handle the VR100 and directional hydrophone (the equipment that picks up and processes the signal from the tagged sharks) as well as controlling the boat (while overseen by the skipper). Tracking of sharks is a unique experience allowing you to follow the shark as it patrols, rests and, most excitingly, as it hunts. Note: Participation in tagging and tracking cannot be guaranteed as this is dependent on various factors

Cage Diving

Cage diving is a vital aspect of white shark conservation when professionally conducted under guidance from marine biologists. Responsible cage diving minimizes the impact on the shark’s behaviour and promotes their conservation. From this experience you will help our international guests learn about white sharks in their natural environment. As a crew member you will be expected to assist clients into wetsuits, explaining the methods of cage diving as well as chumming and decoy handling. You will also log each shark and record behaviour as well as photographing dorsal fins and other identifying characteristics such as scarring.

‘Chum Trips’

Chum trips assess populations of sharks by bringing them close to the boat. The methods involved are the same as those employed by cage diving vessels. By attracting sharks we collect dorsal fin IDs, and tag sharks with acoustic transmitters. During chum trips aboard a research vessel your tasks will include chumming (being in charge of the fish oils used to attract white sharks), photo identification, data collection, bait handling and decoy handling.

Other work at sea

Opportunities will arise to work with the other marine life in the area including:

• Whales
• Dolphins
• African Penguins
• Cape Fur Seals
• Numerous sea birds.

The project starts on the first Monday of each month with a minimum time commitment of 4 weeks, you may join us for up to 12 weeks on this internship programme.

Land-based duties

At the end of a day’s field research you will electronically capture data. Interns also play a part in the day-to-day upkeep of records and write blogs. The research team is always available to discuss collaborations on projects and publications.

In addition, Interns may also get involved in other land based activities including assisting in an Animal Rescue Centre, or conducting Environmental education with the local community in the form of beach clean-ups, and conservation education.

Great White Shark, Marine conservation, Internship in Africa, Marine Biologist