The Thresher Shark Research and Conservation Project

  Philippines

• Visayas: 
Cebu City

Term: Throughout the year 
Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: Contact us for further details.

Description: Dive and shark enthusiasts and aspiring marine biologists, are invited to assist "The Thresher Shark Research and Conservation Group" in conducting fieldwork in the Philippines from December 2008 to December 2009. This is a unique opportunity for individuals with a keen interest in marine/shark science to gain hands on experience in shark survey methodology, behaviour, biology, ecology and conservation.

Volunteer research assistants will be based on Malapascua Island and shuttled to Monad Shoal aboard a dedicated research vessel. Ops will run from 05:00 to 20:00 five days a week and include SCUBA survey, underwater video observation, tagging (pending funding) and photographic ID databasing. Evenings will be spent in academics, training, reviewing video observations, analysing data for scientific paper writing, and preparing for the next day's ops.   

All volunteer research assistants will receive comprehensive hands-on training in shark research methodology, marine wildlife photography, marine videography and analytical approaches to behavioral science. Assistants will also receive academics in shark biology, ecology, conservation and ethology (behavior) and will apply learned concepts to the analysis of real data that they acquire on a daily basis. Accepted candidates will benefit from a close working relationship with a specialist.

Highlights: Volunteering as a Research Assistant involves hard work.

05:00 am - Typically, you rise at this time.
05:30 am - Load the boat and head out to Monad
06:00 am - You start your first dive at and survey the shoal and its five established cleaning stations. You then take ent the obsvironmental measurements, seervation camera and spend the rest of your dive attempting to observe Pelagic thresher sharks. If you have an encounter with a shark, you establish if it is a male or female, estimate its size by class, and record any cleaning activity you observe on a dedicated slate. You then return to the boat for a 2 hour surface interval.
09:00 am - You start your second dive, swap cameras, take environmental measurements and spend the rest of your dive seeking to observe Pelagic thresher sharks as before
12:00 nn - Your third and final dive. It is an optional observation dive where you seek to observe and record Pelagic thresher sharks via handheld video and still cameras. You then return to Malapascua Island for lunch and are given a 1.5 hour break.
15:30 - Tank filling, gear maintenance, academics, training, data review and analysis begins and carry on until around 20:00.

You then have supper and relax before retiring for the night to do it all over again the next day.

Weekends are dry days which involve data review and analysis, restocking, rest and recovery.

* When funding becomes available expeditions will involve tagging operations. These will be incorporated into diving and dedicated weekend fishing ops.

Qualifications: PADI Advanced Diver equivalent or higher, 50 + logged dives and a keen interest in sharks and marine environmental protection.

Cost in US$: USD400/wk

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Our volunteers are typically hard working, competent SCUBA divers with a passion for sharks, marine wildlife, marine ecosystems and marine conservation. They come from broad age, education and professional backgrounds.

Age Range: 18 ++

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Philippines Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 1-6

Application Process Involves:

• Other
• Phone Interview
• Resume
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Job and Internship Network
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

The Thresher Shark Research and Conservation Project's Mission Statement: To promote and disseminate shark research, education and conservation to a broad local, regional and international public and scientific outreach.

Year Founded: 2005