Go on whale watching trips that are not just magical but rewarding too. See penguins dancing on the sand, they defy imagination and touch your heart. Laugh at the antics of hundreds of seals in their colonies on Dyer Island. And of course there's the Great White Shark, the greatest predatory force of the seas that remains a mystery to man.

This programme offers the unique opportunity for volunteers to engage in the important research and conservation of great white sharks in Cape Town, South Africa. You’ll also have the unforgettable experience to see whales, dolphins, seals and penguins, as well as many species of rare pelagic birds that reside close to the shore. If you are adventurous and love the outdoor lifestyle then this is the perfect programme for you to have the most incredible once in a lifetime experience, as you get up close and personal with these infamous creatures!

Shark populations worldwide are increasingly threatened, and in scientific circles there is still research needed to fully understand and interpret shark behaviour. Shark education features as a prominent part of the programme. It is only by getting to know these complex creatures more intimately, that we will understand the impact of their current continuing decline. Therefore the programme is particularly suited to those who are willing to take up a challenge and play a pivotal role in observing and promoting these graceful and majestic creatures. The programme will enable you to see sharks in their natural environment, either from a boat or from a cage. You will learn about coastal eco systems in the region, and about what work is going on to help preserve them. Each link of the chain needs to be supported in order to ensure ocean sustainability. Because of this you will have a wide variety of tasks and activities to participate.

Location

Kleinbaai, a small harbour town, part of Gansbaai in the Western Cape of South Africa. This area is known as the best place in the world to see Great White Sharks in their natural habitat. Gansbaai is 160 km from Cape Town.

Activities

As a volunteer you will be part of the shark team. This project gives you a unique opportunity to view this magnificent animal in its natural environment. This will either be by boat or even more excitingly in an underwater cage.

The learning part of the programme will consist of the following:

• How shark cage diving operates
• Shark behaviour and biology
• The history of shark attacks
• Learning about climatic conditions pertaining to seamanship
• Lectures by qualified marine biologists
• How to film and photograph marine wildlife
• Ocean conservation needs at the tip of Africa
• Learning about South Africa’s conservation organisations

Practical experience will include:

• Experience out at sea, weather permitting
• Photographing sharks and observing them around the boat
• Learning how to Identify individual animals through newly discovered dorsal fin recording, measurement and markings
• Boat safety and seamanship. Learning how to maintain standards and equipment needed for the operation
• Assisting with the monitoring other marine animals in the area, and learning about hierarchy in the ecosystems
• Participating in rescue and data collection
• Field work in and around the area of Gansbaai, which is dependent on the ocean and tourism for its survival

Additional projects included:
Background:

Founder and owner of the company is a committed marine conservationist. He works closely with a number of conservation bodies to address conservation challenges and improve living conditions for the local communities and the wildlife. To further efforts he has been instrumental in establishing the following projects:

• Marine anti-litter campaign
• WWF Southern African Sustainable Seafood Initiative (SASSI)
• Faces Of Need
• White Shark Foundation

Marine anti-litter campaign

Pollution is a long-term danger, not just to people, but birds and animals too. The aim of this initiative is to encourage people to look after their own stretch of coastline, by showing them the effects that can be caused by inconsiderate littering of everyday items. Plastic bags play a big role in sea bird and animal mortality, by either being ingestion or entrapment. Oil dumped into the sea causes the deaths of penguins and sea birds, as well as changing the chemical balance of the ocean. Unused fishing wire winds itself around the fins of seals, penguins, dolphins and turtles, as well as making its way into their stomachs, causing a slow and painful death. An integral part of this project is to educate the commercial fishing community.

WWF Southern African Sustainable Seafood Initiative (SASSI)

A pocket guide and chart has been developed by WWF South Africa to highlight edible fish in the ocean by colour code. Those that are shown with a green dot are still in plentiful supply in the sea and can be fished within reason, those with an amber dot are species that are now threatened, and fish indicated by a red dot are those that are banned from appearing on restaurant menus and may not be caught by fishermen. Dyer Island Cruises and Marine Dynamics have helped to publicise and market this concept.

Faces of Need

A charity established to assist with marine wildlife conservation projects, the most recent of which is a habitat rehabilitation scheme for the declining African Penguin population through the design and implementation of artificial homes. The positive impact of the project has captured the imagination of public and media worldwide, and has been extremely successful in raising awareness to this cause.

White Shark Foundation

A resource to collate information regarding global efforts in shark conservation, to counter the rapid decline of all shark species worldwide.

To consolidate these efforts, they work closely with the following organisations:

• Marine & Coastal Management – formulating a ‘code of conduct’ for all whale watching operators and addressing issues such as permits, and illegal operators
• WWF Southern African Sustainable Seafood Initiative (SASSI)
• Cape Nature – planning and positioning of artificial penguin nests on Dyer Island and the conservation of habitat
• WWF – World Wide Fund For Nature
• IFAW – International Fund For Animal Welfare
• Dr Peter Best (cetacean expert) and Dr Len Campagno (shark authority)
• SANCCOB - Southern African Foundation For The Conservation Of Coastal Birds
• Avian Demography Unit – University Of Cape Town
• FTTSA – Fair Trade Tourism South Africa

South Africa is the only country in the world to have a ‘fair trade’ label for its tourism products. A strict criteria must be in place to qualify for and earn this prestigious accreditation: fair wages and equal employment, democracy, transparency and environmental conservation. They are the only marine wildlife company in the Walker Bay area to have been given this accolade.

Programme Support

Because we are South African based, you will have hands on support from our South African team 24/7 a day. Just call our number and we will be able to provide you with any advice and assistance that you need through the duration of your stay.
On a day-to-day basis you will be working with the volunteer coordinator. The rest of the team members are all fantastic people – experienced Skippers and other friendly, helpful members of staff. With their combined knowledge and many years of experience in the field of Great White Shark research, ecotourism and conservation, there could be no better team behind you.

Dates

The project starts every 2 weeks.

2009 starting dates:
Jan 12, Jan 26, Feb 9, Feb 23, Mar 9, Mar 23, Apr 6, Apr 20, May 4, May 18, Jun 1, Jun 15, Jun 29, Jul 13, Jul 27, Aug 10, Aug 24, Sep 7, Sep 21, Oct 5, Oct 19, Nov 2, Nov 16, Nov 30, Dec 14,
Dec 28.

2010 start dates:
Jan 11, Jan 25, Feb 8, Feb 22, Mar 8, Mar 22, Apr 5, Apr 19, May 3, May 17, May 31, Jun 14, Jun 28, Jul 12, Jul 26, Aug 9, Aug 23, Sep 6, Sep 20, Oct 4, Oct 18, Nov 1, Nov 15, Nov 29, Dec 13,
Dec 27.

Fees:

We recommend that you stay for four weeks, because the first week you are finding your feet and then the second week you are think that you have to go home again. Four weeks will give you the opportunity to learn as much as you can for the rest of your life.

All payments must be in Rands. Pounds are for illustrative purposes only and based on R14/£1.

What is included in the fee?

• Self catering accommodation in volunteer house
• Airport pick up and transfer to Gansbaai and back to Cape Town
• Welcome and orientation by team leader
• Diving equipment
• Activities as part of the programme
• Trips on the boats
• Programme materials
• Shark cage diving (+- ₤100 per dive – free of charge)
• Snacks and drinks on the shark boat
• There will be necessities in the house such as coffee, tea, cereals etc
• Welcome pack of
  • 2 x Project T-shirts
  • 1 x Project cap
  • 1 x Project Jacket
  • 1 x DVD of one of your trips on the boat

What is excluded from the fee?

• Meals (Budget approx ₤40 per week)
• Use of telephone
• Flights, Visas, Medical and travel insurance
• Excess baggage
• Personal activities

Note:

We also offer tours to the most Southern point of Africa, or horse riding, quad bike, kayaking, skydiving (all additional cost, but can be arranged for special price). We want you to feel as comfortable and at home as we can. There will also a co-ordinator that will take care of you and if you are not satisfied, you have someone to talk to and we will do everything within our power to solve the problem, but we need to know..

What will I do on the boats?

On the white shark dive boat you will work with the tourists, assist the crew with baits, chum, cage, dive gear and cleaning. Here you will gain very good boat and team experience. You will record data and you will assist in logging this data. On the whale boat, you will assist the tourists but your main task will be data collection and observations. We are particularly interested in bite marks on seals, birds and dolphin. You will also be looking out for entangled animals.

The boats (Shark and Whale boat) often do one to four trips per day, depending on the season and we will rotate you accordingly. Please note that we are working with the ocean and weather so it is almost impossible to maintain a strict schedule. You will have to be flexible, just as we are, but this is once again a very good learning opportunity.

What animals will I come into contact with?

You will work very closely with white sharks and you will also get very close to whales at certain times of the years, seals, dolphins and marine birds. The white sharks come right up to the boat and the whales often come very close.

Will I dive in the cage?

You will definitely have opportunities to cage dive. We will allow you to cage dive as much as we can, at no extra charge. (Value per dive ₤100) What will I do on land? You will work with the tourists in the briefings, dressing them with jackets and life jackets, pack the boats, prepare the boats and equipment, wash and maintain equipment, log data and clean your accommodations. You can sometimes assist with penguin nest building and placing or caring for injured birds before they get sent to Cape Town, as our crew does.

Accommodation

Accommodation is in comfortable, private self- catering homes in the immediate area. Here you will be able to relax in your spare time, and mix with fellow volunteers. You have to be willing to share a room with another volunteer. You will not be more than 2 people in one room. The houses are within walking distance of the coast, and Kleinbaai. Provisions can be purchased in nearby Gansbaai. The Western Cape enjoys a temperate climate, with the majority of its rainfall in the winter months of July and August. However, our pleasant winter days compare favourably to European summer days.

Food

Meals will be at your own cost and volunteers normally put their resources together and cook as a team, or go out for a drink and meal at one of the local restaurants. The local supermarket stocks a variety of food and there are kitchen facilities in the house for cooking. Budget approximately ₤40 per week.

A typical day of a volunteer

Wake up at and get ready any time between 6:30 – 8:00. After breakfast, assuming that the boat trip will take place that day (because the trips are subject to weather conditions, the day will start with making your way to the ‘Great White House’ where, once the tourists have had their briefing, you will help to dress them in their jackets and life vests or go and prepare the boat for the trip.

You'll walk the tourists down to the boat. Once the boat leaves the harbour you’ll spend between 3 and 6 hours out at sea. The Shark Boat will go out once or twice a day depending on numbers and time of year and the Whale Boat normally goes out four times a day (for a duration of roughly 2 hours for each trip).

During your time on the shark boat you'll participate in data collection. Once a shark is spotted, you will need to record as much information as you can about it, including data such as size, sex, any scars or other identifying marks, the length of time it remains around the boat, behaviour, and if it is a re-sight, etc. You'll be informed about what information you need to collect.

If it is decided that it is a ‘good’ shark, the cage will be lowered into the sea and you'll help with preparing the tourists for the cage dives. This will include getting them into their wetsuits.

You may not participate in a cage dive on each occasion, but you should have the opportunity on couple of occasions. Not every boat trip ends in a cage dive – it will depend on whether there are any sharks around at that time, whether the sea conditions are conducive to lowering a cage, and other similar factors.

At the end of the 5 hours, you will return to the shore and here your work will continue. Once back in shore you might have to wash the boat down and pack all the kit up. The equipment needs to be washed and hung to dry for the next day. If it is busy there might be a second boat trip so all the above is repeated. If not, they have the rest of the day off. This can used to do a wine tour, go quad biking, horse riding or explore the beautiful cape.

The work you do will ideally be split between the two boats, Shark Fever and Whale Whisperer. You'll be given information and the necessary material to help you answer any general questions that the tourists on the boats might ask you and you will be expected to know and provide basic information.

Lectures and Activities

During your placement you might have the opportunity to attend some lectures on various aspects of shark and marine conservation. The number of lectures will vary at different times of the year. Wherever possible, a weekly lecture and activity will try to be organised for you. However, due to the workload at the time of the year and other external factors, this may not always take place.

Location

East of Hermanus and at the beginning of the Cape’s Garden Route, Gansbaai has become world famous because of its resident population of Great White Sharks.

Next to Dyer Island, which is a bird sanctuary 7km off shore, is a notorious stretch of water known as Shark Alley, probably the most filmed section of South Africa’s ocean. This is a favoured hunting ground for Great Whites, and is home to a large colony of Cape Fur Seals, the mainstay of their diet.

The area is known for its unspoilt natural beauty, and small bays of white sandy beaches border vast areas of indigenous Cape Floral Kingdom. The cliff sides are littered with a network of small caves that are of significant archaeological and historical value. It is extremely rich in biodiversity.

The town of Hermanus offers an array of attractions, a good commercial and leisure centre. Nearby are a number of prestigious wine estates and golf courses, sports facilities and sightseeing opportunities.

Its proximity to Cape Town makes Gansbaai a perfect choice for a volunteer visiting South Africa.

Not far from the rugged landscape of Cape Agulhas, the geographical marker and meeting point of two mighty ocean currents, this region offers a wealth of sights and experiences.

During your stay, you will have the opportunity to learn about the amazing diversity of marine wildlife at the tip of Africa, and witness first hand the real need to ‘Discover & Protect’.

Telecommunication and medical facilities

There is cell phone reception. It’s best to buy a prepaid sim card in South Africa for R10 (1 Euro). The nearest hospital in a case of emergency is only 60km away.

Qualification and Skills

Love for the outdoor, conservation, marine- and wildlife.

Extra money

This depends on your spending habits. South Africa is not an expensive destination. 20 pounds a week would cover more than the basics.

Immunization & Vaccination

This is a malaria free area. Volunteers can have rabies and anti-tetanus injections should they wish. It is best to contact your local physician before you leave your country.

Weather

Temperatures during the year:

Summers get really warm and winters are cold. This is a winter rain fall area.

Clothing

Bring some old clothing & shoes that can be worn at sea. A rain jacket and warm clothes for evenings

CHECK LIST

It can get very cold in the evenings during the African winter, so please bring a warm jacket and long trousers. Please be aware that your clothes are going to get dirty!

• Powerful flashlight
• Sunglasses
• Passport, Visas and Medical & Travel Insurance documents
• A willingness- to- learn- and- participate attitudes
• A sleeping bag and pillow
• Natural-coloured/camouflage clothing and hat
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Raincoat
• Personal toiletries and towels
• Sunscreen lotion
• Insect repellent
• Malaria tablets (only if visiting a malaria-risk area)