During our core marine conservation course you will discover how the marine environment and related ecosystems moderate the world we inhabit.

You will also learn how climate issues and anthropogenic impacts are detrimentally impacting these crucial environments.

More importantly, you will learn what can we do to turn the tide of marine degradation.

Our standard core marine conservation course includes the coral propagation module as standard. If you would prefer, you can customize the content by replacing coral propagation with a different module.

Course Outline

You will get 1 checkout dive and 6 course dives during this exciting 5 day internship,. You will also learn all about marine biology and conservation through a unique course written by our in-house marine biologist – James Campbell. 

Your course schedule will be organized as follows:

Day 1/ Ecological principles, the blue planet and a check out dive.
Get up to speed with biological lingo and increase your understanding of the practice of ecology before learning all about our oceans and the role they play in climate control. You will also do one dive to check your buoyancy skills to ensure the reefs aren’t harmed during our subsequent dives. 

Day 2/ Coral reef ecology theory and two dives.
Learn all about coral reef ecology, the role coral plays in habitat creation and the subsequent foundation of reef ecosystems. The two dives will look beyond the blue at the coral itself, to help you to see it as more than “just another rock”,

Day 3/ The threats to the reefs: theory and one dive
What impact are humans having upon the marine ecosystems? We will take a look at climate change, marine pollution, destructive fishing practices and a lack of responsibility and ownership of the oceans as a whole. Then we will do a beach clean-up and look at micro-plastics within the benthic substrate. 

Day 4/ Marine Conservation theory, artificial reef / Coral nursery production and two dives
What can we do to rehabilitate and restore the coral reef ecosystems? What legislative and practical techniques can be implemented to reduce and control the persistent damage being done to the marine environment? You will do two dives focusing on reef degradation and artificial reefs and then the group will have a chance to create their own mini artificial reef or coral nursery table.

Read more about our Artificial Reef projects here.

Day 5/ Coral nursery theory and two coral nursery / artificial reef dives
An expanded coral nursery theory workshop where you will learn the techniques to monitor coral nurseries and how to do the associated data collection. The two dives will involve placing the coral nursery, transplanting coral and taking appropriate measurements.

Additional Benefits

During the internships you will have ample opportunity to work on additional projects such as analyzing marine plastic in substrates, identifying and analyzing plankton as well as including your own personal projects. 

We are equipped for plankton sampling and we have a laboratory that is set up for microscope analysis, dissection and other marine biology work. You will have the opportunity to learn some of these skills during your stay with us.

Why do this course?

The Core Marine Conservation course is the first step towards gaining the tools and knowledge you will need to progress into the world of marine conservation. Whether you are doing it for self improvement or as a step towards a career in marine conservation as part of university education, you will acquire valuable experience from this program. Successful completion of the Core Marine Conservation course will qualify you to access all the other course modules as well as our marine science specialty courses.