SHARK INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
We are not taking internship applications for 2023-2024 until further notice
>>>
We are not taking internship applications for 2023-2024 until further notice >>>
No aceptamos solicitudes de estancias para 2023-2024 hasta nuevo aviso
>>>
No aceptamos solicitudes de estancias para 2023-2024 hasta nuevo aviso >>>
We are searching for driven, upbeat and hard-working individuals who are concerned about conservation issues, interested in scientific research and eager to join our team
Who can participate?
Our Internship programs are open to absolutely ANYONE. No previous experience in a marine conservation or any scientific background? Not a problem for us! We welcome people of all ages, capacities, and nationalities. We are not prejudice to race, religion, gender or sexual orientation. We have found that it is the diverse skills that our interns bring that make a huge impact on the research and its involvement with the community.
Interns at Pelagios Kakunja, will be integrated into all aspects of the organization, its research objectives, and are expected to participate in many of the following activities, some of which are dependent on the time of year and commitment level of participants.
Internship Program Tasks
Terrestrial & underwater surveys of sharks
Passive & active acoustic telemetry tracking of sharks
Assisting with shark tagging trips
Supporting our team with biopsy & blood sampling techniques
Morphological & visual estimation techniques
Diet & nutritional analysis of sharks
Habitat sampling (Plankton sampling, eDNA sampling)
Underwater & Arial drone surveys of sharks
Photo Identification techniques & Software
Deployment of Underwater video camera stations (BRUVS)
Data entry work
Fish Camp Survey for sharks & Rays
SHARK INTERNSHIP PROGRAM DONATION AND OPTIONS
What is included in the internship donation:
Airport transfers (Arrival & Departure)
Accommodation for the entire duration of your stay (Private Studio Apartments)
A comprehensive series of lectures given by our scientific team & Directors
Shark handing workshops & training
Statistical training in a number of analysis software
Training in field-based scientific monitoring techniques
Field trip expenses (including food, accommodation & boat expenses whilst in the field)
Experience in marine conservation with us and our affiliated partners
Discounted SCUBA diving courses, free-diving training & first response certification
Study with us?
If you are interested to study with us, we also welcome the proposals of students to develop their own personal projects & research goals around our focus shark species.
Contact our internship team for more information: internships@pelagioskakunja.org
Past intern students
We are proud of our intern students who have accomplished their thesis and research with us!
Eleonora Barbaccia, An evaluation of whale shark (Rhincodon typus) disturbance behaviours during tourism interactions in La Paz Bay, Mexico.
Alice Beneyton, Scarring pattern of juvenile whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) and its implications for conservation in La Paz Bay, Gulf of California, Mexico.
Giulia Boldrin, Assessment of heavy metals and trace elements in Scalloped Hammerhead Shark (Sphyrna lewini) from an artisanal fish camp in the Bay of La Paz, Baja California Sur (Mexico).
What is not included in the internship donation:
Flights & Personal Medical Insurance
Food (but a full kitchen facility is provided in each studio with a fridge and freezer)
Out of office-based activities during free time (discounted rate available)
Matteo Bertoni, Influence of environmental factors on the seasonality and distribution of several species of pelagic sharks off the southern tip of Baja California Sur, Mexico.
Joel Gayford, The selective drivers of allometry in sharks.
Jacopo Gobbato, Assessment of Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus) seasonal residency, distribution, and social patterns in Bahia de La Paz, Mexico.
Nadine Hermann, Assessment of the management of whale shark tourism in La Paz, B.C.S for a comparison on a national and international scale.
TESTIMONIALS
Thank you for making me feel welcomed and comfortable. I really hope I can come back. Nadine, 24
Pelagios gave me for the first time the opportunity to get into the world of shark research. Gador, 29
I gained hands on experience allowing me to follow my dream of studying sharks. Katy, 28
Thank you Pelagios for the opportunity to grow and learn so much about sharks. Carmen, 32
My experience in Pelagios was amazing! I had the opportunity to meet amazing friends with the same interests, sharks. Belen, 28
If you like sharks, Baja is the right place to be. Pelagios has many different projects going on. Candy, 25
FAQs
Do I need a visa?
A visitor visa allows you to stay in Mexico for a period of up to 180 days if carrying out any unpaid activities. This includes tourism, volunteering, studying courses shorter than 6 months, transit and attending business meetings, among others, as long as you are absolutely sure that no monetary earnings will be derived from your activities in Mexico.
Do I need to be a certified SCUBA dive to participate?
No, you do not have to be a certified scuba diver to participate. The majority of our intern roles and responsibilities can be done either from land, boat or in water, using regular snorkel equipment. If you have a valid SCUBA or similar certification you may be able to be involved with additional duties during your internship. You may even get certified during your stay with us by our partners and dive team.
Do I need any vaccinations?
There are no vaccinations required for entry to Mexico. But since the COVID-19 global outbreak, it is now required that you have the COVID-19 vaccine to participate in our internship program.
What if I can’t make it to my internship?
We understand that things can happen and in the unexpected event that you cannot make your internship placement for some reason we cannot return your donation fees given our non profit and charity status. But, we can hold your reserved placement on the program and allow you to join us at a later date which suits you. This means you will never lose your placement on our program and you will have the complete flexibility to re-book and join us at your next convenience.
How do I get to La Paz?
There are two main routes to get to our research center in La Paz, BCS, Mexico. The first option is to fly into the La Paz international airport (LAP). The second option is to fly into San Jose Del Cabo (SJD) which is only a couple of hours from La Paz and there is a number of transportation shuttles everyday of the year. Currently we are experiencing that the SJD option appear to be the most economic route but it will always depend on your origin airport.
When is the best time to come?
Throughout the entire year we have shark-based activities but if you are looking to interact with a certain shark species it is best to contact our internship team and they can guide you on which time of the year is best for you. Contact us at internships@pelagioskakunja.org
Internship Deposit & booking fees
A non-refundable 10% deposit needs to be paid no later than one week after being accepted into the internship program. Then the remaining internship program donation fees must be paid in full 2 weeks prior to your arrival date.
Am I able to get a Refund if I need to return home during my stay?
We understand that unexpected events can occur back home with family or work related issues. As a non profit we cannot refund your donation fees from the internship program. But we can freeze your placement and the time you had remaining, and allow you to join us at a later date to complete the remaining internship placement. This means you will never lose out on your internship, giving you the peace of mind that you can return at a later date to our program.