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M/V Kairos
Sharks and Whale sharks behavior study
with Shark Research Institute
Introduction:
Since its foundation in 1991, the Shark Research Institute (SRI) is probably one of the most famous and efficient non-profit scientific research organization focused on research and conservation of sharks of the world.
SRI (ref:http://www.sharks.org/) works with the scientific community, individuals and organizations concerned about the health of our marine ecosystem, and marine resource users: subsistence fishermen, sport divers, and the dive tourism industry. SRI works to correct misperceptions about sharks and stop the slaughter of 100 million sharks annually.
 The mere mention of the word shark is sure to provoke either shivers of terror or curiosity. Through its actions, SRI endeavors to strengthen the feeling of fascination instead of fear with which most people react to shark. In order to change behaviors towards sharks, it is necessary to better understand who they are, how they live, and be able to identify them. Indeed, sharks have proven difficult to identify, even by well-trained scientists: similar forms, uniformly colored... Moreover, scarcity of specimens for study is another recent problem scientists have to cope with, most of large species of sharks being often not preserved. Seasonal variations in current patterns can also have major effects on the distribution of sharks, highly mobile animals able to range into all the oceans.
Though some regional investigations were made in Africa, more especially about sharks of the east coast of southern Africa, no data have been collected yet on the various groups of sharks in the Mozambique channel, and more particularly in its northern part, off Tanzanian coasts, where the Kairos Company will organize, in partnership with the Shark Research Institute, a shark expedition.
To collect data on the most feared and fascinating animal of the oceans, we will be using high-performance underwater devices. 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. Indeed, scuba diving in Tanzania is still very limited and little or almost nothing is known about its many islands, archipelagos and open-sea shoals.
 M/V Kairos will cover particularly the area around Pemba Isl., Mafia Isl. and the surrounding archipelagos in order to collect data on local shark populations. Latham Isl., 45 nautical miles east of Dar es Salaam will be explored too: crystal clear water, together with a wide range of pelagic fishes in plenty, dramatic drop-offs are typical from this beautiful and isolated island.
Yellowfin tunas show there all the year round, together with various species of sharks, among them Black and White tips, Mako, Hammerheads and Tiger sharks wander around the island.
Due to the purpose of this expedition, it is likely that most dives occur in mid-water. Please note we may encounter very strong currents during the dives with the pelagic fishes attracted by the concentration of nutriments brought. Encounters with whales (Right, Humpback, short-finned Pilot), dolphins (Common, Spinner, Bottlenose), barracudas, marlins, swordfishes and trevallies are to be expected according to the period.
The visibility stays around 40 m / 126 feet during this time of the year. The water stays around 28°C (a 3 mm diving suit is enough but 5 mm is more comfortable for long immersions).
Expedition step by step:
The stays follow a 10 days pattern, 9 nights aboard.
Day 1/ Meeting at Dar es Salaam airport before 3:00 pm, then transfer by car to the beach for boarding on M/V Kairos by the end of the afternoon. 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 exploration.
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 on sharks' 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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New Tanzanian Dive Sites Exploration | Sharks and Whale sharks behavior study with SRI
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