Award-winning diving tour operator, blue o two, are excited to announce last minute dates for early 2017, for ‘Project Shark’ trips in the Maldives, hosted by the founder of the Red Sea Sharks Trust, Dr. Elke Bojanowski.
Elke began her Longimanus Project in October 2004 and since this date she has been actively collecting underwater photographs and video clips of Red Sea sharks for cataloguing, review and analysis. Research will be continued by Elke with the extension of ‘Project Shark’ in the Maldives, contributing to existing Maldivian trust research projects, both locally and internationally.
Join Elke on board the newly refurbished M/Y blue Voyager for ‘Project Shark: Maldives’ on any of the dates below:
- 27th February – 7th March 2017, £2295*
- 6th – 14th March 2017, £2395*
- 13th – 21st March 2017, £2395*
- 20th – 28th March 2017, £2295*
Not only will guests have the opportunity to dive some of the most incredible dive sites in the Maldives, hosted by the experienced Dr. Elke Bojanowski, but if any of the dates listed above are booked from now until 13th January 2017, guests will receive £70 discount off the package price, as well as free of charge nitrox for their trip, plus a year’s membership to the Shark Trust, courtesy of blue o two.
The aim of the ‘Project Shark: Maldives’ is to highlight the global issues facing sharks and mantas, with a Maldivian focus, as well as allowing guests enjoying some of the most exciting dive sites the Maldives has to offer. The week will involve close encounters with sharks, manta rays and whale sharks (although these sightings cannot be guaranteed), with the possibility to observe them in their natural habitat and donate vital information to local Maldivian marine research organisations such as the Manta Trust and the Shark Trust.
In 2015, blue o two were the Manta Trust’s 15th top submitter for manta sightings. The Manta Trust has a database of more than 5,000 mantas which have each been identified by the unique spot pattern between their gills, and therefore given names. Guests can expect to begin to recognise and identify mantas from one dive to the next, and there is also the possibility of naming a manta, if a photo of a manta is submitted to the Manta Trust that has not been identified in the Manta Trust database yet.
Established in 1997, the Shark Trust works to advance the worldwide conservation of sharks through science, education, influence and action. blue o two’s ‘Project Shark’ trip is delivered by resident marine biologist Dr. Elke Bojanowski who will conduct seminars, giving divers the opportunity to gain a better understanding of the biology and behaviour of sharks. There will also be the chance to learn about globally endangered marine species and what divers can do to aid their protection, which in turn allows the divers to submit vital information to the Shark Trust to assist with their projects, campaigns and policy work.
The ‘Project Shark’ trips are unique as they include a combination of amazing dives, with the once in a lifetime opportunity to be educated and informed about the issues facing sharks, mantas and whale sharks specific to the area.
For more information or to book your place today, please visit the blue o two website – www.blueotwo.com or contact the expert blue o two travel team on +44 (0)1752 480808
*All package prices include return flights from London – Male (other regional airports may be available on request and a supplement may apply), internal transfers, full board on the vessel (incl. water, tea/coffee and 1 last night BBQ), all diving on 12lt cylinder with weights and Green tax. Package price is subject to change and final package price will be confirmed at time of booking.
