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Introduction:
The Whale shark (Rhiniodon typus), the giant of all sharks and fishes, is said to reach a length of 20 m and a maximum weight of 34 tons. But the biggest specimen actually measured was only 13,70 m long for a 10 tons weight, still very impressive. The king of sharks has nothing to do with a "Jaws" monster type. The Whaleshark, together with other species belonging to the Elasmobranchii class (sharks and rays) living in a pelagic environment in a depth range from 0 to 700 m, will be the subject of study of this expedition. The Tanzanian coast and islands are a gigantic reserve of food where we can observe movements of large pelagic fishes. Seasonal variations in current patterns thus have a major effect on the distribution of such species.

The goal of this expedition is to help filling the scientific database on pelagic species evolving in the Tanzanian waters. The behavior of these animals is closely linked to their need to survive as long as possible, until the reproduction period that will ensure the survival of the species. For this purpose, the animals need to maintain three essential physiological functions: breathing, eating and reproducing.

To realize this video study, we will adapt our equipment according to the natural environment, using the right professional device to get the best results and pictures. Each of you, as a member of the expedition, will take part in this study, bringing your own knowledge, ideas and actions to this exciting adventure.

Diving Spots:
The diving spots are selected according to criteria determined by the Expedition Leader for the video shots. Many of them are unexplored, or even hardly known, due to their remote location or difficulty of access.

M/V KAIROS will particularly cover the area around Mafia, Pemba and Latham Islands, as the strong East African Coastal Current (EACC), going northward, provides food supply in plenty.

Tanzanian coast and islands topography offer a large variety of diving spots, allowing the encounter of all kinds of marine habitats, thus a large range of pelagic and benthic species. Indeed, when Mafia and Zanzibar islands are yet attached to the continent, Pemba and Latham islands are separated by a deep channel shaped by the continental plateau. This situation offers dramatic drop-offs, tendered drift-diving along walls covered by assortment of corals and surrounded by schools of pelagic life, and also protected bays where multi-colored fishes and a wide range of hard and soft corals are all gathered in a perfect harmony.

During their migration (from October to April with a pick during February and March), Whale sharks evolve in open ocean and also inshore water. Due to the pelagic nature of this expedition, it is most likely that dives will occur in deep blue water, with potentially very strong currents during the dives aimed at the study of mammals and all other open-sea species attracted by the surrounding bloom of nutriments. Among them whales (Right, Humpback, short-finned Pilot), dolphins (Common, Spinner, Bottlenose), sharks (Silvertip, Grey Reef, Silky, Hammerhead), barracudas, marlins, swordfishes, tunas and trevallies.

The visibility stays around 40 m / 126 feet during this time of the year. The water temperatures stay around 28°C (3 mm is enough but 5 mm is more comfortable for long immersion).

Expedition step by step:
The stays will follow a 10 days pattern, 9 nights aboard.

Day 1/ Meeting at Dar es Salaam airport before 3:00 pm, then transfer to Kairos's mooring. Guests are welcome by Kairos's crew, who will make an exhaustive presentation of the ship. The boat will leave its mooring to navigate at night to the selected area of investigation.

Day 2/ Briefing by the Expedition Leader concerning the expedition's detailed objectives.
The morning will also be dedicated to the distribution of specific equipments (wet suit for water T°, buoyancy, using of Wings...) and a dive will be organized so that everyone can accustom to the new diving environment and material.
The afternoon will be dedicated to explanations, demonstrations and in-water testing of the specific equipments needed for the fulfillment of the expedition, as well as the setting up of courses required.

Day 3 to 9/ Current research and expedition involve visual tracking and behavioral study, using microlite.

Several workshops will be set up about pelagic data files, underwater filming, shooting and editing, according to each guests skills and experience. Each dive is carefully prepared with all guests, covering detailed objectives and concise logistics and timing.

Divers will take part into the evening briefings, a process that involves the review of the day's video shots, the diving investigations results and the planning of the following day.

Return to Dar es Salaam in the night of day 9.

Day 10/ In the morning, breakfast is served before the transfer to the airport for the return flight home.

Level required:
This expedition requires a ** CMAS / Advanced Open Water Diver with a minimum of 20 dives. According to the expedition needs, Nitrox and Rebreather certifications can be obtained during the stay (CMAS, TDI or PADI certificates).

The video and photo techniques are taught and demonstrated during daily briefings. Non-divers can also take part in the organization and logistics of the dives, a way for them to discover the richness of the spots visited.

Although this expedition requires a personal involvement from the guests, especially in time and attention, no special physical training is needed to take part in this adventure.

Please note we might dive with strong currents.

For more information
Contact:
Dive Discovery
@
1 800 886-7321
ph- 415-444-5100
or
Request Info

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