Volunteer OverseasFiji Shark Conservation
- Who?Groups of at least 5
- When? Projects have flexible dates and run all year round
- Where? Pacific Harbour, Fiji
Being a Shark Conservation volunteer on a group trip can make a significant difference in the protection and conservation of various shark species. In Fiji, a world-renowned group of islands of sandy beaches and turquoise waters, there is truly the chance of a life-time to work on pioneering shark protection projects alongside respected scientists and shark research experts.
As a volunteer group, this project is for anyone with a true passion for marine wildlife and the great outdoors. The Fiji Shark Conservation Project gives you the opportunity to near to some of the most endangered and mis-understood animals in the world.
As a group on this project, you will be conducting the work of internationally renowned shark research scientists, being directly involved in scientific shark research work, as well as actively working within the local community on mangrove reforestation, recycling and shark education initiatives. Our resident marine biologist and local staff supervise will supervise the group and the conservation work. Projects Abroad also works closely with other local and international marine conservation organisations, including the WWF Global Shark Programme.
Volunteers don’t need any previous diving or shark research experience to take part in the Fiji Shark Conservation Project. However, volunteers need to be able to swim and be medically fit to scuba dive. This project is not available for people who do not want to take part in the diving.
Volunteers who have not dived before receive the PADI Open Water dive course during the first two weeks on the project. Volunteers with an existing dive certification equivalent to the PADI Open Water qualification receive the PADI Advanced course, providing that they are 18 and over. After the dive course, volunteers will also receive the PADI AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Course, which involves both a theory and practical component, as well as a shark dive. Those who already have the Advanced certification or higher will receive the PADI AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Course during their first week, and an extra Shark Feed Dive during their project time.
All volunteers staying for four weeks or more complete the PADI Projects Abroad Survey Diver Distinctive Specialty Course. This course focuses on fish identification theory.
The project is based in Pacific Harbour, on the south coast of Fiji’s main island of Viti Levu, just 3 hours from Nadi. While you are volunteering in Fiji, you will stay in an apartment or hostel. While in Fiji, you get a real insight into the island’s culture. Projects Abroad will also arrange a number of excursions and day trips to various places of interest around the island of Viti Levu.
This placement is fully researched, safety audited and risk assessed in accordance with the British Standard BS8848 for the Adventure Travel Sector.
Sample Itinerary
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First week (Click for details)
Day DATE TIME ACTIVITY 1 Sunday Arrive at Pacific Harbour. Receive dive books for study 2 Monday 09:00 Breakfast 10:00 Induction and local orientation 13:00 Lunch at Uprising Beach Resort 16:00 Dive course study 18:00 Dinner 3 Tuesday 07:00 Group pick up and transfers to Nawaka District 07:30 Dive course day 1 12:00 Lunch at dive shop 17:00 Return to accommodation 18:00 Dinner 4 Wednesday 7:00 Breakfast 7:30 Dive course day 2 12:00 Lunch at dive shop 17:00 Return to accommodation 18:00 Dinner 5 Thursday 07:00 Breakfast 07:30 Dive course day 3 12:00 Lunch at dive shop 12:00 – 13:30 Return to accommodation 18:00 Celebration dinner at Baka Blues Cafe 6 Friday Day trip to Suva – shopping and sight seeing 7 Saturday Beach break! Surf lessons at Beachouse Resort 18:00 Pizza and movie -
Second week (Click for details)
Day DATE TIME ACTIVITY 8 Sunday 07:00 Breakfast 08:00 Shark survey workshop 12:00 Lunch 12:30 Survey dives 17:30 Debrief and data entry 18:00 Dinner 9 Monday 09:00 Breakfast 09:30 Tagging workshop 12:00 Lunch 13:00 Volunteer shark research assignment 13:30 – 15:30 Tagging project at river to observe scientists catch and tag juvenile sharks 19:00 Dinner 10 Tuesday 08:00 Breakfast 09:00 Village visit with traditional welcome 11:00 Mangrove nursery and reforestation with villagers 12:30 Lunch in village 15:00 Volunteer shark research presentations 18:00 Dinner 11 Wednesday 07:00 Breakfast 07:30 Survey dives 13:00 Lunch 14:00 Shark conservation diver course 18:00 Dinner 12 Thursday 07:00 Breakfast 07:30 Shark dive 13:00 Lunch 14:00 Shark dive debrief 18:00 Celebrate dinner and fire show at Uprising Beach Resort 13 Friday 08:00 Breakfast 08:30 Beach clean with school children 12:00 Lunch 14:00 Shopping at Arts Village 18:00 Traditional Lovo dinner cooked underground 14 Saturday Leave for Nadi and fly home
