Job opening in paradise!

I just got an email from Project Abroad they have an opening for an in country (Fiji) Marine Biologist/Field coordinator. I'm not sure if this is for the same position we wrote about earlier.

Here is what I got.

Due to further expansion, Projects Abroad Fiji - Shark Conservation Project is seeking a new Female Marine Biologist/Field Coordinator to join the ever growing team. Shark Diving, cage diving, shark adventures, swimming with sharks, great white sharks,
Your Role: 
- To carry out shark research in line with our Conservation Management Plan, under thesupervision of our lead scientist. 
- Coordinate scientific work with our international and local project partners.
- Help develop and grow future scientific projects on a local and global scale. 
- Train and educate research volunteers in all aspects of our scientific and awareness work. 
- Daily, weekly and monthly schedules. 
- Organisation and coordination of all field and related activities. 
- Supervise research volunteers on water and land based work. 
- Data collection, analysis and reporting. 
- Assist with diving, underwater surveys and equipment deployment and retrieval. 

Requirements: 

-Marine Science Degree or similar 
-PADI DM or higher 
-First Aid certification 
-Fluent in English, other language a bonus 
-Must be able to work as part of a team and willing to put in long hours 
-Very flexible approach to work Experience of shark research 
-Long term commitment (min 1 year) 

We offer: 

- 1 year contract with view to extend, subject to a 3 month probation period. 
- Basic salary - Accommodation - 3 meals a day 
- Comprehensive insurance 
- Return flight to your home country after 1 year 
- Visa related expenses 
- Internet and phone 
- Two days off a week 
- Excellent in country support and benefits 
- Working with some of the world's most renowned shark scientists and experts. 

Please only apply if you have the relevant experience.!

Only success applicants will be contacted.
Closing date for applications is: 31st March 2014.
Send a cover letter, CV and photo to Andy Hill:
Email: andyhill@projects-abroad.org
http://www.projects-abroad.co.uk/volunteer-projects/conservation-and-environment/fiji/

Vinaka!
Andy Hill
Project Manager
Projects Abroad Fiji

Good luck! This is truly a dream job! Living in paradise and doing something worthwhile, what could be better?

Cheers,
Martin Graf
CEO 
Shark Diver 

About Shark Diver. As a global leader in commercial shark diving and conservation initiatives Shark Diver has spent the past decade engaged for sharks around the world. Our blog highlights all aspects of both of these dynamic and shifting worlds. You can reach us directly at staff@sharkdiver.com.

Richard Branson, voice of reason?

Most of you are aware of the recent "shark cull" policy enacted in Western Australia. Since they actually started to use baited drum-lines, there has been a public outcry to stop the killing of the sharks. Many argue the the drum lines indiscriminately kill, not only large Great White - and Tiger-Sharks, but smaller sharks and different species of sharks as well. Some even suggest that the sharks and other animals that are caught in the lines are attracting other predators, essentially acting as chum.

In 13 years of diving with Great White Sharks at Isla Guadalupe, I have observed that the smaller sharks are actually more inquisitive than the larger individuals and are likely more apt to bite something in order to investigate what it is. So even if the drum-lines would only catch the large sharks it intends to, we have to ask ourselves, are we even trying to catch the sharks that are most likely to bite a human?

Here is the problem with the approach with us shark experts and conservationists. We look at the problem from a shark related perspective. There is nothing wrong with that, but we have to address the real reason the shark cull was started.

Sir Richard Branson, foto wildaid.org

Since Western Australian premier, Colin Barnett, has indicated that his goal is to protect a way of life and the tourism industry, I think that Richard Branson, head of the Virgin Group, has a better approach. In this article he is quoted as saying, "I'm sure one of the reasons he [Western Australia Premier Colin Barnett] did it was because he was thinking it would encourage tourism. It's going to do quite the reverse, I think. You're advertising a problem that doesn't exist in a major way and you're deterring people from wanting to come to Perth and your beautiful countryside around it. All you're going to achieve, I think, is to worry people unnecessarily."

I believe that Richard Branson knows a thing or two about tourism and promotion. Hopefully premier Colin Barnett will listen to his voice of reason, if not for the sake of the sharks, then for purely economic reasons, to protect the way of life and the tourist industry of Western Australia.

 
Cheers,
Martin Graf
CEO
Shark Diver


About Shark Diver. As a global leader in commercial shark diving and conservation initiatives Shark Diver has spent the past decade engaged for sharks around the world. Our blog highlights all aspects of both of these dynamic and shifting worlds. You can reach us directly at staff@sharkdiver.com.