SOUTH AFRICA GREAT WHITE SHARK PROJECT
GANSBAAI, SOUTH AFRICA

Roaming the world’s oceans, the Great White Shark is undoubtedly the greatest predatory force of the seas. Cloaked in myth, misunderstanding and fear, this majestic animal remains a mystery to man.  This project offers a unique opportunity to view the Great White Shark in its natural environment, either from a boat or an underwater cage. Volunteers will also have the opportunity to see other wildlife species, including Cape Gannets, Bryde Whales, Cape Fur Seals, Dolphins and Jackass Penguins.  Volunteers will learn a lot about the Great White and then put that knowledge to use by assisting in conservation and research into this awesome animal.

	Location:	GANSBAAI, SOUTH AFRICA	Dates:	Any date throughout the year
	Fees:	£785 - 2 weeks £1,075 - 3 weeks £1,355 - 4 weeks	Payment:	£180 deposit at time of booking – balance of project fee due 8 weeks before departure
	Reference:	AV025

General Information

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 - doing their best to survive.  This project is coordinated by a leading organisation focusing on Great White Shark conservation. Founded in 1989 purely as a research centre, it has since grown to include an excellent film department, diving and viewing centre and a separate conservation and educational department.  The dedicated Shark Team have been conducting population dynamics and behavioural research since 1991.

The Project

Volunteers will receive training in White Shark biology, research, behaviour, conservation, changing attitudes, shark attacks, basic seamanship which will include anchoring positions, wind directions, underwater filming, still photography and shark tourism.

Weather permitting volunteers will go to sea frequently. At sea, they will 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. Volunteers will be taught how to get in and out of the cage and how to remain secure and safe in the cage. Once in the cage, they will record observations of the White Sharks. This will include sex, size, markings and behaviour.

This training is designed to provide the level of competence of a field assistant. During the training, volunteers will be evaluated on how they handle teamwork, use their own initiative and take interest in the work.

Location

The programme will be based in 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. It is a popular holiday resort for boating and fishing enthusiasts, and whale watchers; Dyer Island, near Gansbaai, is a breeding colony for jackass penguins while seals breed on nearby Geyser Island. There is a narrow channel in the sea between Geyser Rock and Dyer Island which is home to up to 60,000 Cape Fur Seals. The sea around these islands has become the feeding ground of the endangered Great White Shark and regular shark safaris are undertaken from Gansbaai.

The shark team document a lot of shark activity using aerial surveys of the island.  In season whales and an occasional dolphin can be spotted. This is a perfect habitat for the Great White.

The Programme

• Welcome and induction by team leader
• Daily lectures on shark related 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
• Weather permitting, volunteers may have the opportunity to go kelp snorkelling near Dyer Island
• Volunteers edit their own video-diary
• On certain days, the boat will be chartered exclusively for volunteers.

Please note that as this project is also open to tourists, you may be asked to help with this side of things from time to time. However, this won’t deflect from the overall aims of the project.

Support

Support and advice is available from Project Managers whilst on the project and from the UK Amanzi Travel Team.
Find out more about Amanzi Travel support

Orientation

A comprehensive information pack will be sent to volunteers upon booking their placement and further advice and information will be provided via telephone and email before departure. A full orientation will be provided on arrival at the project by the local support team.

Accommodation and Meals

Volunteers will accommodated in a dedicated volunteer house and will receive breakfast and lunch when on the boat. There are facilities for volunteers to prepare their own evening meals.  Laundry services are provided.

Getting There

Fly directly into Cape Town International Airport where you will be met on arrival and transferred to your accommodation.

(There may be a number of ways to reach your destination airport - for further information or advice please contact Amanzi Travel)
Let Amanzi Travel arrange your flights for you

Project Fees

What is included

• A contribution towards the project itself
• Transfers to and from Cape Town (you will be picked up from your accommodation)
• Full orientation on arrival
• "On-the-job" educational activities and support from local staff
• Daily transfers to and from the project for the duration of the visit
• Accommodation at the volunteer house including breakfast and boat lunches

What is excluded

• Travel insurance to cover your placement (to include cover for repatriation)
• Personal items eg clothes, travel goods
• Dinner in the evenings (there is facilities for volunteers to prepare their own food)
• Email/internet and all telephone calls
• Visas and any trips undertaken other than in the planned programme. eg volunteers may wish to travel along the Garden Route
• Soft drinks, wines and spirits