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Overview
This 4-day intensive programme focused on shark ecology and fish around Koh Tao. The unique roles that different fish and sharks fill in different ecosystems. This programme will also give you first hand experience in shark surveys through participation in some of our underwater research, monitoring and conservation projects.
This programme is designed to provide individuals with a good overall understanding of fish and shark ecology as well as fish biology for identification on surveys around the island.
Students will learn why sharks are so important for promoting reef biodiversity, and will gain experience in identifying different fish commonly found at our dive sites. Students will also learn how to use a range of features and behaviours to identify of sharks and reef fish understanding the ecological roles played by these organisms and their importance in maintaining balanced and healthy biological systems all across the world.
Programme Structure
During the 4 days, students will have a series of morning presentations that introduce new topics surrounding shark biology and conservation. Each afternoon consists of diving activities to put into practice all the knowledge you gain from the morning workshops. These dives will include practicing skills necessary for identification of key fish species and factors associated with reef health. We will also have dawn and dusk shark surveys that will be completed while snorkeling in Aow Leuk bay.
What the week looks like…
Day 1: Intro to Sharks; overview of shark biology and evolutionary development.
Morning classroom workshop: 8:45am-10:30am focusing on shark physiology and ecology
Afternoon boat: two dives focused on buoyancy, finning techniques and estimating distance/size.
Day 2: Surveys; transects and quadrat theory with .
Morning shark survey and classroom workshop: 6:15am - 8:00am Shark Survey,
9am-10:30am Classroom for academic workshop on the theory of different survey techniques.
Afternoon boat: two dives focused on practicing underwater survey techniques without disturbing substrate on dive sites.
Day 3: Fish Identification; practice of survey techniques.
Morning workshop: Lecture on fish common to the Koh Tao waters and how to identify different species.
Afternoon: self study; two dives focused on survey techniques and fish identification
Evening: Shark survey 5:15-7:30
Day 4: Fish Biology; fish physiology and interactions.
Morning classroom workshop: 9am-10:30am focusing on bony fish biology and ecology
Afternoon boat: two dives focused on survey techniques and fish identification, RAID Intro to Shark Manuals, quizzes & exam.
Prerequisites: The Advanced Open Water Certificate (or equivalent), and 20 logged dives.
Price: 12,500 Baht (Includes 9 dives)
Contact our programme director to book your place on one of our programmes today! ecotrust@roctopusdive.com
Still have some questions? Our programme director would be more than happy to email or arrange a video call to chat through them!
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