Shark Ecology & Population Studies

Shark Ecology and Population Studies

Sharks have been an apex predators in the oceans of 450 million years, shaping the ecosystem and playing a major role in driving the evolution of many of the other marine species. Populations around the world are now being threatened with over 90% decline in many species and complete population collapse in some areas. This course will teach you about the importance of sharks, their highly evolved senses and the threats they face. You will be given the skills to practice monitoring shark populations and contributing to national and internal databases that can help drive legislation to protect them

In order to start the course

Hold an advanced diver certification from a leading diving organization such as PADI or SSI.
Be 12 years of age or over
Be self-aware in the water and demonstrate proficient in buoyancy

What the course involves

Understand the importance of sharks in the marine ecosystem, global and local threats to shark populations, and shark identification.
Learn how to survey for sharks and the various methods available to estimate abundance and diversity.
Practice surveying for sharks while diving and record data on the sharks observed
Know how to enter data into the Conservation Diver database and also partners such as SharkTrust.org.

Diving

Students must complete 1 shark monitoring dive and collect data on any sharks observed.

Classroom

Students must attend 1 lecture on Shark Ecology and Population Studies and record any data into the database

For full details on the course please visit the Conservation Diver website to view the Standards and Requirements

Expected Course Time: about 4 hours, over 1 day

Minimum of 1 dive

Price: $89.00