Contributing to the local economy is a crucial element that should be included in every tour operation.  When you travel to new places your carbon footprint should do everything to give back to the community/economy of the country visited.  In Gansbaai South Africa, the white shark projects will allow you to do just that. They are a white shark dive organization that will allow divers or non-divers to observe the most feared creature on the planet. While creating an awesome experience for you, White Shark Projects also revolves around the 5 cornerstones of fair trade which include:

Fair Working Conditions: White Shark Projects employs 21 people with a range of qualifications. Each employee is taken care of and thoroughly enjoys their job because it enables them to work with and help these creatures. A quote from Gerald, one of the Dive Skippers said, "Changing people’s perspective about the Great White Shark and introducing people to this mysterious creature is what fuels my passion." 

Fair Prices: The price for a dive excursion with the sharks costs $450 per person.  While this may seem expensive, it is actually very reasonable.  Diving with sharks does not come cheap.  After shopping around other companies I could not find anything for less that $900 and up to $3,200.  This dive includes your transportation, breakfast, a lecture on the Great White Shark, all your diving gear, the dive, lunch, and a DVD of your trip. I would say that is a pretty fair price.

Integration Into The Local Economy and Regional Development: The White Shark Project reaches out to the community by helping children help themselves. A program called Swop Shop combines conservation, social improvement, and education. The Masekhane children collect bottles, tins, plastics and other recyclables and bring them in bags to the White Shark ‘Swop Shop’. In return, the children earn buying points that they spend in the shop. The shop carries only worthwhile items such as hygiene products, stationary, clothing, and food basics. This allows the children to learn the value of caring for the environment while helping their families meet basic needs. 

Fair Trade Partnerships Between All Actors in Tourism: Because you must travel to South Africa for this excursion, everyone who participates is most likely staying for at least a week.  This gives them opportunity to spend money in the community and at local businesses. 

Sustainable Resource Use and Environmental Justice: The dive site is 2 hours from the city's center and the tour offers a luxury bus ride.  This this is a more eco friendly approach because it prevents extra exhaust from individual cars that would burn up the environment more. 

Visit them at: http://www.whitesharkprojects.co.za

The White Shark Projects is in cooperation with: http://www.sharkconservancy.org/index.html

Check out the Video below!

Ecotourism is a great way for a person to be involved in a great cause.  The Shark Warriors Program is a wonderful organization that will allow you a chance to help the great white sharks. It is a volunteer, research, ecotourism opportunity in Mossel Bay South Africa. The ultimate goals of the program are education, public awareness, and advances in conservation efforts. 

Three principles that the shark warriors program promotes ecotourism include:
 

• It should involve education among all parties- local communities, government, nongovernmental organizations, industry, and tourists.
  
• Ensure that the long term benefits-to the resource, to the local community, and to industry (benefits may be conservation, scientific, social, or economic). 
• It should provide first-hand, participatory, and enlightening experiences 
  

The company is owned by Craig Ferreira and Christo Kruger. Craig has conducted many research projects including some of the early research that involved his father Theo.  He also published two books on the Great White Shark.  Craig travels around the world to educate others about this species. The shark warriors program is partnered with one of the top white shark research organizations called Oceans Research. Oceans research also promotes education and offers classes for participants to work toward conservation efforts. As a participant in the program you will be involved first-hand in research and data collection. You will experience cage diving with the oceans greatest predator.  There are also opportunities for community education, environmental conservation, Oceans Research lectures and courses.  Entering the domain of the oceans greatest predator may sound pretty scary, but with a cage of steel, you should be safe...Hopefully!
  
 Find the Shark Warriors Program here! 

The Great White Shark has many names including; Jaws, white pointer, white death and it is scientifically known as Carcharodon Carcharias.  White Sharks, are the largest and most prevelant predatory fish in the ocean and can weigh up to 5000 pounds.  They develop in size until about 15 years and have a life span up to 30 years. These sharks are typically found in all major oceans off the costal surface. They survive in water temperatures ranging from 54-75 °F. You might identify a white shark by its white underside and grey dorsal (fin) side.  Oh, and did I forget to mention the enormous mouth lined with rows of serrated teeth? Being such an incredible predator, you may wonder how such a creature could be endangered. Join me next week to find out more about the endangerment of the great white shark.