Great White Project <strong>Province</strong>: Western Cape<br />

Great White Project

Town: Gansbaai

Province: Western Cape

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Rate per week: R 4000 per week

Duration: Min 2 weeks but we suggest 4 weeks. You can extend for any length of time.

Dates: 1st & 15th of every month throughout the year

Introduction: Roaming the worlds oceans, the Great White Shark is undoubtedly the greatest predatory force of the seas. Cloaked in myth, misunderstanding and fear, this awesome animal remains a mystery to man. The Great White Shark Project is a unique opportunity to view the Great White Shark in its natural environment, either from a boat or an underwater cage. You'll also see other wildlife species, including Cape Gannets, Bryde Whales, Cape Fur Seals, Dolphins and Jackass Penguins. On this project you'll learn a lot about the Great White and then you'll put that knowledge to use by assisting in conservation and research into this awesome animal. Sharks are intelligent and vulnerable, deserving of sympathy and respect. Education helps people to lose the Jaws phenomenon and gain the realisation that sharks are a complex and precious species, living in the water - just doing their best to survive. White Shark Projects is a world leading organisation focusing on the Great White Shark. Founded in 1989 purely as a research centre, since 1989 it has grown and broadened its services to include an excellent film department, diving and viewing centre and a separate conservation and educational department. "Everything we do we aim to do in harmony with nature and the environment we are working in." The dedicated Shark Team have been conducting population dynamics and behavioural research since 1991.

Location: The program will run out of Gansbaai, South Africa. The White Shark fieldwork will take place around Dyer Island and possibly other shark locations. Dyer Island (Shark Alley!) is possibly the best place in the world to see Great Whites. Gansbaai is a seaside village, which depends on fishing and tourism for its survival. It is situated approximately two hours south east of Cape Town. The shark team document a lot of shark activity using aerial surveys of the island. On one of the main research sites, Dyer Island, many other wildlife species can be viewed from the boat. It is the breeding ground for Jackass Penguins, Cape Cormorants and Gannets, whilst Geyser Rock opposite, is a breeding mecca for Cape Fur Seals and currently home to approximately 20 000 seals. In season Whales and an occasional Dolphin can be spotted. This is a perfect habitat for the Great White.

Project: Your Programme Welcome and induction by WSP team leader Daily lectures on the above topics Boat and cage inspection Participation in data recording and weekly collation On bad weather days, local excursions could include Cape Aghulhas, Hermanus, Betty's Bay, and the Birkenhead On certain days, the boat is chartered exclusively for you The programme is traditionally 21 days, but volunteers can stay for longer, we recommend that you spend at least 14 days with us. The programme runs from the 1st & 15th of every month throughout the year. You receive Two volunteer T-shirts Our White Shark Projects cap Your welcoming pack Your White Shark Field Book You need to bring Pocket money in the region of R3 000 - R5 000 Some clothing which you will not mind sacrificing. Please bring 3 pairs of shorts / slacks as part of our uniform when on our boat. A rain jacket or plastic windbreaker will be good to have and some warm clothing as it can be quite cool on land and on the water. Non-slippery shoes to use on the boat - we recommend welllington's or 'crocs' Camera Note book You will be working at our Recycle Swop Shop on Tuesdays, if you want to bring some contributions, it will be greatly appreciated. We supply all other diving equipment

Animals: Great white shark, whales, dolphins, penguins and seals.

Program: You'll receive training in White Shark biology, research, behaviour, conservation, changing attitudes, shark attacks, basic seamanship(includes anchoring positions, wind directions, underwater filming, still photography and shark tourism. Weather permitting you will go to sea frequently. At sea, you'll get involved as much as possible with all aspects of sea work. This will be focused on working with the sharks from above and below the water. Much emphasis will be placed on observing behaviour and the interactions of sharks around the boat. You will be taught how to get in and out of the cage and how to remain secure and safe in the cage. Participants in the cages will record observations of the White Sharks. This will include sex, size, markings and behaviour. This training is designed to educate you to a level of competence of a field assistant. During the training, you will be evaluated on how you handle teamwork, take your own initiatives, take interest in the work and activities, show interest in learning.

Program may include: Social development is as important to White Shark Projects as conserving the sharks and our marine environment. Without healthy development in local communities, our business is neither responsible nor sustainable. Our commitment to social upliftment goes further than providing equitable employment; it extends into the social fabric of the local Masekhane community. One of our most recent projects is the Masekhane/White Shark Projects swop shop. It combines conservation, social improvement and education in a unique way. The children of Masekhane collect bottles, tins, plastics and other recyclables and bring them in bags to the White Shark 'Swop Shop'. In return, they earn buying points that they 'spend' in the shop. The shop opens at two on Tuesday afternoons, but the children gather long before that, lining up to earn their points. Happy chatter fills the air as they wait their turn to trade in their points for something from the Swop Shop. For example, one bag of tins might be traded for a bar of soap, two might be worth a pencil, four a second-hand t-shirt and so on. Or the children can 'save up' for something more expensive like a toy they have their eye on. The shop carries only worthwhile stock such as stationery, simple clothing, and food basics, and relies completely on donations. In this way, the children learn valuable lessons about caring for their environment: They learn that it's important to recycle resources and at the same time, they learn to care for their environment by picking up litter. Not only does their village look nicer, but they also earn something through this care. Conservation, they see, has many values. The underlying vision of the Swop Shop is to empower these historically disadvantaged children, helping them grow into self-sufficient, contributing adults. By encouraging them to use what they have around them, they see that in small ways, they can improve their lives.

Includes: - Accommodation - Activities as part of the programme - Trips on the boats - Programme materials - Transport from and to Cape Town - Welcome pack of: 2x T-shirts 1x Cap There will be necessities in the house such as coffee, tea, cereals etc.

Excludes: Flights, Beverages, Insurance

Applicants: This project is open to anyone over the age of 18, fairly fit and in good health. This placement would suit... People with an interest in research and conservation, who aren't afraid of working closely with great white sharks! And a good adventurous attitude and an active outdoor lifestyle is essential!!

Freetime: There is a wealth of activities in the local area with Cape Town offering everything you could ask for.

Volunteers Feedback: Volunteer - Claudia Dahmer When someone asked me how the Volunteer Programme was, I told them they should take a look at my legs, covered in bruises, or my hands, full of cuts. Or even told them I thought I would never stop smelling like Chum. BUT, it was all worth it! Volunteer - Sandra Castro I love spending time on boats and so this programme was ideal for me. Working as volunteer crew on the boat was hard work but great fun. We were out on the boats on most days, sometimes one trip and sometimes two trips a day. Volunteer - Teresa Allen I have always watched documentaries and read books about Great White Sharks, but nothing can describe the feeling of seeing them in the flesh.

Contact Tyron for more info +27 83 661 5393