Join our team for the experience of a lifetime!

The Marine Conservation Volunteer program is a conservation and community focused pillar of the Cape RADD research and education organization. The volunteer program focuses on citizen science research, community awareness, conservation projects and educational outreach.

A group of volunteers are briefed by a marine biologist

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Volunteers participate in our citizen science initiatives alongside our biologists and field course students on various field trips. Collecting data and taking Photo IDs of small shy shark species and observing and monitoring endemic fish and shark species along the Cape Peninsula. Volunteers are also involved in our micro plastics projects that measure the densities of micro plastics in the surrounding waters.

These long-term monitoring projects and conservation programs depend on volunteer contributions to help record and collate data, communicate and engage with the public and join in local environmental events to increase the impact and further our work in the field. This allows Cape RADD volunteers to contribute to the research, education and conservation of the marine world as much as possible.

How will YOU help?

Volunteers play a major role in our projects, assisting our biologists in the field with data collection as well as behind the scenes with data input. You will gain valuable experience in boat-based and land-based field research methods and spend lots of time in the Great African Sea Forest!

Projects & Activities

  • Shark abundance, diversity and movement assessments
  • Endemic fish and shark snorkel surveys
  • Kelp forest sampling
  • Shark tagging and tracking workshop & practical
  • Microplastic sampling field work
  • Public outreach: conservation education initiatives in local schools and at public events
  • Shark egg collection and recording
  • Introduction to freediving
  • Drop Camera fish diversity field work & video analysis
  • And much more…

Program costs

  • 2 weeks: $1,600
  • 3 weeks: $2,000
  • 4 weeks: $2,600
  • 5 weeks: $3,200
  • 6 weeks: $3,500

Costs include all equipment, airport transfers, program excursions and accommodation.

(*South African citizens contact for local rate. Longer periods are available)