Conservation Program

Dive Master and Research Diver Internship

Indo Ocean Project is an Indonesian NGO founded by marine biologists, dive professionals, and ocean enthusiasts from around the world in 2017. Our standardized training program includes Dive Master and multiple research specialty certification courses. We work together with government agencies, other NGOs, local communities and universities to carry out scientific research to address marine conservation issues in the Indo-Pacific region.

Pictures by @oceanspirit.photography

Our field expeditions across Indonesia host international and local research projects focused on marine mega fauna and coral reef conservation. Combining the dive master course with hands-on underwater research techniques, interns have the ability to kick-start their career in marine research or the professional diving industry. Interns play a crucial role in all that, being the ones that actually gather all the scientific data, making all of this possible.

The Bira Project

Bira boasts some of the most diverse and abundant populations of sharks and rays (elasmobranchs) in Indonesia. Elasmobranchs are some of the oldest living creatures on this planet and have survived multiple mass-extinction events. Today, however, critical habitat loss and increased fishing-induced mortality have meant that many elasmobranch species are currently experiencing global population declines. A quarter of known species are threatened with extinction in our lifetime. The research in Bira is focused on the effects of marine reserves on sharks and rays.

Marine reserves are one of the premier conservation approaches to elasmobranch conservation and we need to thoroughly investigate their implementation on community function. The ocean surrounding Tanjung Bira is currently not protected and it is this project’s goal to identify and locate key habitat areas and together with the local community, create a marine park and shark sanctuary. We employ various techniques to examine questions regarding ecosystem dynamics and the ecological and economic roles of sharks and rays such as BRUVs, abundance survey dives, and biodiversity mapping.

BRUVs are a non-invasive and easily scalable survey technique that is perfect for implementation for use in marine reserve development. One of the leading problems facing conservation biologists is lack of data from remote regions. Indonesia sits in the highest region of the globe for shark and ray biodiversity, however they are one of the world’s leading shark fishing nations and many local populations are near collapse.

Life as an Intern

Why become a Dive Master?

The Divemaster course is your first level of professional training. Working closely with your mentoring Dive Instructor and Blue Planet’s team, you’ll fine-tune your dive skills, like perfecting the effortless hover, and refine your rescue skills so you anticipate and easily solve common problems. You’ll gain dive knowledge, management and supervision abilities so you become a role model to divers everywhere.

As a Divemaster, you’ll lead others as you supervise scuba diving activities and assist with diver training. Divemasters are respected dive professionals who are aligned with the largest and one of the most respected dive organization in the world – SSI (Scuba School International).

Before you can be a good research diver, you first must be a good diver. The Dive Master and Research Diver Internship will give you the skills needed to work either in marine conservation or the diving industry. You will meet like-minded individuals and be able to network with experienced and aspiring marine biologists and organizations from around the world.

Current Project

• BRUV (Baited Remote Underwater Video)
• Roving Survey Dive
• Marine Plastic Pollution Assessment (With Save The Plastic)
• Unite Bira
• Shark & Turtle Photo Identification
• Coral Biodiversity Mapping

Who Can Apply?

You don’t need to be a diver or a marine biologist to join the team! Diversity is what makes us strong and we accept applications from all countries with all types of backgrounds. All our programs have a minimum age requirement of 18 years old.

Program Fees

Projects like ours rely on the generosity of our partners and interns to develop and grow. In order to create an amazing adventure for you we do require a tuition to cover your expenses while on program.

For more information on the various packages offered check out our partner’s website here:

https://indooceanproject.org/bira/