One of the world’s most feared and misunderstood creatures is without a doubt the Great White Shark. Their sheer size alone is highly intimidating as they can reach up to twenty-three feet in length and weigh up to four tons.
One of the greatest misconceptions about sharks is that they prey upon humans. Contrary to popular belief, sharks have a diet that consists primarily of fish, dolphins, seals, sea lions, turtles, otters and seabirds rather than humans.
When sharks do “eat” or rather attack humans it is highly likely that they have mistaken the human for a seal.
Often times, sharks do not even come close to eating humans, because they cannot swallow the bones. However, due to the impact of the bite, humans that are attacked by sharks may bleed to death.
The Great White Shark Project
If you want to work in conservation, especially marine conservation, you should consider one of the world’s most renowned shark projects, the Great White Shark Project, which takes place in South Africa.
The project brings together conservation organisations, students, eco-tourists and marine resources (including sports divers, dive operators and subsistence fisherman) who all gather information about sharks and actively work to eliminate the negative misconceptions associated with them.
100 million sharks are viciously slaughtered on an annual basis and when you join the Great White Shark project you will be a part of a huge movement to reduce the mass killings.
Where the project takes place
If you chose to join the Great White Shark Project and work in conservation in South Africa you will spend a great deal of your time near Dyer Island as that is where there are always high volumes of sharks.
Dyer Island is also home to Jackass Penguins, Gannets and Cape Cormorants. Just a few miles from the island is Geyser Rock, which is home to a large population of Cape Fur Seals.
Dyer Island and Geyser Rock are two of the greatest places to spot sharks not only in South Africa, but also in the entire world.
Knowledge you will gain from your work in conservation
While you are working as a conservationist you will receive classroom style training about shark behaviour and biology. Once you have gained a bit of knowledge about the Great White you will then partake in research studies regarding shark attacks.
Once your classroom training is complete it will be time to get on a boat and see the textbook theories in real life. While on board, you will have the opportunity to learn about basic seamanship including anchoring positions and wind directions.
When you are out at sea the scientists who accompany you will teach you how to observe the behaviours and interactions with the sharks around the boat.
You will also have the exciting experience of getting face-to-face with the creatures while in a steel cage under water. From the cage, you will work with a scientist to record observations about the sharks you see such as their sex, size, markings and any peculiar behaviour.