The Great African Sea-Forest Marine Volunteer Programme, South Africa

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Volunteers will be involved in citizen science initiatives where you will join biologists on snorkel trips observing and monitoring endemic fish and shark species along the Cape Peninsula, and collecting data and taking Photo IDs of the small shy shark species. You will be given presentations on the various work involved; including biological talks such as shark biology and ecology, and explore the benefits of using citizen science as a scientific monitoring effort.

Volunteers will be involved in community outreach in local schools and community events to spread their passion and newly developed knowledge of the area’s marine life. Beach cleans in and around the harbour and sea wall cleans are organised to raise awareness of the pollution issues and make a positive difference to the local area. You can also assist with the local marine conservation exhibition at the museum, whereby you can actively contribute and be involved in the design process. There will also be the chance to head out on sunset paddleboard trips to monitor beach users, seal movement and carry out kelp distribution mapping.

• Endemic fish and shark survey’s (snorkel)
• Kelp forest density and distribution fieldwork
• Microplastic sampling fieldwork
• Public outreach: Conservation education initiatives in local schools and at public events.
• Public events: beach cleans, public lectures, sea plastic cleaning events, kayak/paddleboard marine safaris
• Investigating intertidal rock pools
• Fish, Mollusc, shark, cetacean biology and ecology presentations
• Shark egg collection and recording
• Assist with local marine conservation and education museum curation
• Introduction to freediving (learn the basics of this skill to develop your snorkel surveys)
• Drop camera fish diversity fieldwork + video analysis