Shark Internship & Volunteer Program

Program Overview:

Our shark internship program offers a unique experience and a platform for students and volunteers to gain hands on field experience working with sharks alongside our team of experienced field technicians and shark experts.

All participants who join our program will have the opportunity to be involved in every component of our shark monitoring programs and you will increase your understanding of shark research through scientific lectures and many hours of practical training in the field, as well as gain experience in an office environment. The internship program has a maximum of 3 internship placements available at any given time as a way to ensure a more valuable volunteer experience and an increased opportunity for personal development during your internship with us. 

Our internship program is open to absolutely ANYONE. Whether you are a graduate of marine biology or someone who is looking to start their early career or even just passionate about sharks and want to help, our program is perfect for you.

Shark Internship Program Activities:

During the internship participants will have the opportunity to take part in several research projects with many different field monitoring techniques in the world of shark research such as:

  • Underwater & terrestrial surveys of sharks in their natural habitat

  • Health assessments of sharks for toxicology and nutritional assessment

  • Tracking of sharks through passive & active acoustic telemetry techniques

  • Artisanal fish camp surveys for shark abundance & composition of species

  • Assisting our scientific team with biopsy & blood sampling techniques

  • Morphological & visual estimation techniques of sharks for growth estimations

  • Diet & nutritional analysis of sharks to understand their health and condition

  • Habitat sampling (Plankton sampling, eDNA sampling, Habitat mapping)

  • Underwater & Aerial drone surveys of sharks (Abundance, Distribution, Behavior)

  • Photo Identification techniques & the use of Identification Software

  • Deployment of Non-Invasive underwater video camera stations (BRUVS)

  • Data entry work & analysis of data techniques through a range of statistical software

  • Outreach projects with schools and the local community

  • Assisting with shark tagging trips with our team and the local artisanal fisherfolk

  • Pelagic shark monitoring for distribution of species and population estimates

SHARK INTERNSHIP PROGRAM FEES

What is included in the program fees:

  • Airport transfers (Arrival & Departure)

  • Accommodation for the entire duration of your stay (In our Research Centers facilitates)

  • Scientific lectures given by our scientific team and our students

  • Shark anatomy and Shark handing workshop

  • Training in scientific sampling techniques (Blood, Genetic, bacteria tissue)

  • Statistical training & Courses in a number of analysis software

  • Training in field-based scientific monitoring techniques of sharks

  • All field trip expenses (food, accommodation, park fees & boat expenses whilst

    in the field)

  • An unforgettable experience in marine conservation with us and our affiliated partners

  • Discounted SCUBA diving courses, free-diving training & first response certifications with our affiliated partners.

What is not included in the internship fees:

  • Flights to and from our research center

  • Personal Medical Insurance

  • Food (but we provide a fully equipped kitchen with a fridge, freezer, stove, microwave etc.. for preparation of meals)

Testimonials

Such an incredible experience! - Sean, 27

I will never forget seeing my first shark - Sarah, 24

I learned so much from an amazing professional team - Nicole, 23

The program helped me gain so much respect for sharks - Ali, 19

From office work to field trips such an rich program for anyone who loves sharks - David, 31

I cant wait to come back such a fulfilling experience full of fun! - Anna, 20

Join us for Shark Studies

Want to make a university or school thesis on sharks? We have a number of placement options throughout the year for both undergraduate and graduate students to join our program and conduct their own research under the supervision of our team.

FAQs

How do I get to the program?

It all depends on where you are located, but there are two easy ways to get to our research base here in La Paz, B.C.S, Mexico. The first option is to fly into the international airport of La Paz (LAP) where we will collect you from the airport and bring you to the intern accommodation. The second option is to fly into San Jose Del Cabo (SJD) and then take the airport transportation shuttles, which run all day everyday up to La Paz. Please reach out to us if you need any more help with this and we will be happy to help you.

I cant make it to my internship?

In a new modern world, we understand that unexpected things can happen and in the unexpected event that you cannot make it to us for your internship we are not able to return your donation fees given our non-profit and charity status. But we will honor your placement with us and adjust your booking to a date chosen by you allowing you to join us then. This means you will never lose your internship placement with us and you will have the complete the opportunity to re-book, adjust and join us at your next convenience.

Do I need a obtain a visa?

For the majority of counties, you do not need a visa to enter Mexico. When you enter Mexico, you are given a free visitor visa which allows you to stay in Mexico for a period of up to 180 days if carrying out any unpaid activities. This covers volunteering opportunities and short study stays at a university or marine institute as long as they are shorter than 6 months. But please check with your countries visa rules at your nearest embassy if you have any concerns.

Are any vaccinations required to join the program?

Mexico as a country does not have any vaccination requirement for entry. Although since the COVID-19 global pandemic, we required that you have an up to date COVID-19 vaccination to participate in our internship program and depending on your origin country you may still need to present a negative test for your return flight. Please check this with your airline or ask us for advice on this or check out the global COVID-19 vaccination guideline for travel. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/proof-of-vaccination.html

Program Donation fees?

All donation fees are used to directly support the running of our non-profit research and to support your accommodation, field trips and training with us. Upon being accepted into our program a non-refundable 20% deposit needs to be paid to secure your placement on the program. Then the remaining shark internship program donation fees will be requested by our administration 3 weeks prior to your arrival date. All transfers are made through our organizations non-profit account.

Do I have to be a certified SCUBA dive to join the program?

No, you do not have to be a certified scuba diver to join our scientific internship program. Almost all of our intern activities and field trips do not require you to be a certified SCUBA diver. If you do have a valid SCUBA or similar certification, we may be able to involve you in other projects with our team and collaborators, but it is not essential. If you want to get SCUBA certified whilst you are with us, we can arrange that for you and help you find the prefect instructor from one of our partner SCUBA dive centers here in La Paz.