Volunteering for Maldives Whale Shark Research

Volunteering as a diver for any marine conservation project is a great opportunity for passionate divers. My passion is working as a citizen scientist volunteer with sharks and other megafauna.

I spent 10 days on the MV Felicity dive boat with an exceptional group of ocean lovers. We studied, surveyed, took photos, observed, and identified whale sharks in South Ari Atoll, Maldives, with the Maldives Whale Shark Research Program.

There are specific steps to approaching a whale shark. They are not tactile creatures, so touching one may cause it to dive. Never block a whale shark's path, so avoid swimming directly in front of a whale shark and on top of one, which may prevent its surfacing. Stay away from the tail fin. A sudden movement may cause serious injury if hit by a whale shark fin.

The typical research day starts with breakfast between 7:30 and 8:30, then getting on a dive dhoni (small boat) and looking for sharks. Volunteers record whale shark sightings and include megafauna such as sea turtles, mantas, other rays, and dolphins. In the evening, we input our information into the MWSRP laptop computers, which is compiled into a worldwide network studying the movement, behavior, and threats to the whale shark population.

The 10 days I spent on the MV Felicity with the other volunteers were an extraordinary experience, and MWSRP welcomes people of all talents.

- Bill Mashek, Undercurrent Correspondent

To read my full report and information about signing up, Click here. https://tinyurl.com/mtzw8nxn