SHARK ECOLOGY
Academic
PADI speciality course to Specialty Diver Course is to facilitate assessment of the presence of different species of sharks at different diving sites in an area.
Prerequisites and standards:
- PADI Advanced Open Water Diver or equivalent.
- 50 logged dives.
- Recommended 30 hours
- Minimum 4 training dives
- Four workshops training
Note: Training dives and PADI certificate will charge fees.
CONTENTS
The diploma consists of 10 units with objectives as below:
Unit 1: Biology, Ecology
and Behaviour of Sharks.
Classification.
Morphology, swimming and buoyancy.
Mouth & teeth. Respiration.
Reproduction. Sense. Colour. Feeding. Diet.
Mutualism. Bevaviour.
Ecological importance of sharks.
What are the major threats contributing to declines in shark populations?
Unit 2: Shark Monitoring Program.
What are the aims of the monitoring?
What are the procedures for data collection?
What are the shark ecology data?
What are the human impacts data?
What is the standard form for observations of sharks?
How can filming different shark behaviours underwater?
How can report shark sighting using a digital form survey?
Unit 3: Photo Identification Techniques.
What is the importance of photo-ID for sharks?
What are the requirements to take suitable photos for shark identification underwater?
What are the three steps for sharks’ photo processing?
How can matching the sharks’ photo for identification?
What are the steps for catalogue preparation of identified sharks?
Unit 4: Underwater Laser Photogrammetry.
What is the importance of underwater laser photogrammetry?
What is the protocol of laser photogrammetry?
How can the diver prepare the video footage?
How can analyze sharks’ photos using ImageJ software?
What are the main morphological measurements for sharks?
Workshop training to measure shark features.
Unit 5: Oceanic Whitetip Shark Awareness.
What is the distribution and movement of the Oceanic Whitetip (OWT) shark?
What is the biology and ecology of the OWT?
What are the main tips for safe diving practice with OWT?
What is the status of the OWT in the Egyptian Red Sea?
Unit 6: Reporting Shark Attack Event.
What is the main information for Shark attack victims?
How does the diver describe the attack site?
Describe weather, sea conditions, and sea environment.
What is the shark information?
How does the diver document the attack sequences?
What are the first aid and treatment after the attack?
Unit 7: Questionnaire Survey for Shark Fishing.
What is the background information of fishers?
What are boat and gear characteristics?
•What is the main information for shark catches?
What are the perceptions and participation for shark trends in the future?
Unit 8: Case studies on Red Sea Sharks, Egypt.
What is the status of sharks’ presence at diving sites?
How can diving activities affect the presence of sharks?
What are the types of fishing violations on sharks?
What is the suggested management plan for sharks in Elphinstone Reef?
What are examples of shark attack events?
Unite 9: Shark Survey
Organize and plan a shark survey dive.
Data collection.
Data entry.
Data analysis.
Unit 10: Reporting Shark Encounter.
How can the divers calculate the work efforts?
What is the main analysis for shark ecology data?
How can the diver document shark sighting on Google Earth?
What is the main output of the photo ID catalogue?
What is the main structure of a shark survey report?
FIELDWORK
By the end of each dive, student divers will be able to:
Dive One: Encounter sharks underwater.
Dive Two: Take standard shots for photo identification and shark behaviour underwater.
Dive Three: Use and practice underwater laser photogrammetry techniques for shark measures.
Dive Four: Plan, organize and apply shark survey dive.
Open Water Training Dives
Contents
Dive One
Look for the presence of shark species in different habitats (i.e. reef, blue, and deep).
Record each shark encounter per dive.
Report any associated animals with sharks.
Apply main tips for safe diving practice with sharks.
Dive Two
Look for the presence of shark species in different habitats (i.e. reef, blue, and deep).
Record each shark encounter per dive.
Report any associated animals with sharks.
Take photos of the dorsal fin, and tail to identify the individual. Identify shark sex.
Take videos for shark behaviour description.
Apply main tips for safe diving practice with sharks.
Dive Three
Look for the presence of shark species in different habitats (i.e. reef, blue, and deep). Record each shark encounter per dive. Report any associated animals with sharks. Open and close the laser unit underwater. Focus the two laser dots on a shark's body in a standard way. Take photos of the dorsal fin, and tail to identify the individual. Identify shark sex. Take videos for shark behaviour description. Apply main tips for safe diving practice with sharks.
Dive Four
Look for the presence of shark species in different habitats (i.e. reef, blue, and deep). Record each shark encounter per dive. Report any associated animals with sharks. Open and close the laser unit underwater. Focus the two laser dots on a shark's body in a standard way. Take photos of the dorsal fin, and tail to identify the individual. Identify shark sex. Take videos for shark behaviour description. Apply main tips for safe diving practice with sharks. Collect the available ecological behaviour data of the shark encounters per dive.
Book your place now!
For booking your place and any inquiries about the next course, please use the contact form.
Date & Time: Soon
Location: Marsa Alam, Red Sea, Egypt