Shark Ecology & Population Studies
The Advanced Ecological Monitoring Program certification is a prestigious certification course for students seeking to gain knowledge and practice in a multitude of research techniques and demonstrate exceptional skill in performing reef surveys and data collection. This certification recognizes your commitment to coral reef monitoring and research and takes several weeks to achieve.
Learn various methods for surveying sharks, including estimating their abundance and diversity.
Recognize the vital role of sharks in the marine ecosystem, along with the global and local threats to their populations, and gain expertise in shark identification.
Understand the process of entering data into the Conservation Diver database and collaborating with partners like SharkTrust.org and the eShark Project to support shark conservation initiatives.
Gain hands-on experience in shark surveys while snorkeling or diving and proficiently record observed shark data.
Program Eligibility and Requirements
To join the Shark Ecology & Population Studies Program, participants need to meet the following criteria:
- Age Requirement: Applicants must be 12 years of age or older.
- Diver Certification: Applicants should hold certification as an Advanced diver from a recognized diving organization such as PADI, SSI, RAID, or similar. Alternatively, Open Water divers can be eligible if they have successfully completed a buoyancy appraisal under the guidance of a professional diver.
- Diving Proficiency: Applicants need to showcase advanced diving skills, including excellent buoyancy control and self-awareness.
Upon Enrollment in the Course, participants will be required to:
- Attend 1 lecture on Shark Ecology and Population Studies
- Perform a dive OR snorkel to observe sharks
- Record data on shark observations
- Enter data into Conservation Diver and partner databases
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