Internship Description

About the Organization:
One of 22 Parks in the South African National Parks (SANParks) stable, the Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) was established in 1998. The vision of Table Mountain National Park is “A Park for All, Forever” and our goal is to be recognized as the world's premier urban national Park by 2010. Unlike the other parks, the TMNP is surrounded entirely by a city and for this reason it is fragmented by urban development and privately owned land. This, combined with the fact that it is primarily an open access Park with only three managed pay points, has resulted in it being the most visited of all National Parks receiving an annual quota of 4.2 million visits annually.

The TMNP's jurisdiction also includes 1,000 square kilometers of the seas and coastline around the Cape Peninsula. The seas around the peninsula are rich in marine biodiversity because this is where the cold Benguela and warm Atlantic currents mix. In 2004 the Table Mountain National Parks created the Marine Protected Area (MPA) to help ensure that commercial and recreational use of the ocean is sustainable.  While fishing is allowed in the majority of the MPA - subject to Marine and Coastal Management (MCM) permits, regulations and seasons - it also includes six restricted or "no-take" zones where no fishing or extractive activities are allowed.  These no-take zones are important breeding and nursery areas for marine life and through leaving these unmolested there will ultimately be an increase in marine stock and threatened species are given a chance to regenerate.

The MPA is run by TMNP in conjunction with Marine and Coastal Management (MCM). TMNP undertakes the administrative and inshore law enforcement and educational activities while MCM is responsible for issuing permits, quotas and law enforcement.

Local Activities:


Job Description:
The 16-strong Marine Team is faced with the challenge of combating poaching and educating the fishing communities around sustainable use. Poaching is the single biggest threat to the marine environment and has resulted in strict regulations and even out right bans on some recreational activities. On this conservation-oriented internship, interns will work with the Marine Team, who patrol the waters of the MPA on a regular basis. Some of the daily activities include checking fishing quotas, checking permits, chasing poachers and assisting with researchers. Interns will spend most of their time outdoors on the sea rather than indoors behind a desk.

Additional Information:
For more information about TMNP, visit its web site at: http://www.sanparks.org/parks/table_mountain/conservation/marine.php.

For more information about the South African National Parks in general, visit www.sanparks.org.  This internship is offered in conjunction with Volunteer Adventure Corps of Cape Town, South Africa.

Click here to view a report by Michael Calcagno of the Oregon Daily Emerald on IE3’s internships and partnership with Volunteer Adventure Corps of Cape Town. 

Click here for a YouTube film about the Cape Town internships.  

Start Date:
This internship is available fall, winter and summer terms.   

Duration:
One or two terms

Number of Positions:
3 per term

Intern Qualifications

Academic Background:
Biology, marine biology, conservation, wildlife science, environmental studies, oceanography

Skills/Experience:
Ability to work with a team, positive attitude, passionate about ocean conservation, understanding and appreciation of the ocean environs, prior academic study in the general areas of environmental studies, marine biology or oceanography. Ability to drive a boat is a plus.

Language Requirement:
English

Other Requirements:

Internship Costs

Program Fees:
The program fee includes tuition, internship site development and placement, pre-departure orientation, international health insurance, internship monitoring and follow-up.
Click here for application information, including the program fee, for your school.
Note: The program fee does not include airfare, housing, living expenses or any other estimated costs noted below.
Note:  An additional local program fee of $700 applies to this program, and covers airport transfers, local orientation, internship management, 24-hour support, and placement.

Note:
Any financial or in-kind support provided by the host organization is explicitly indicated.

Compensation:
None

Accommodation:
If space is available, interns may be accommodated in the Marine Team house.  Alternatively, housing in the Observatory neighborhood will be arranged through Volunteer Adventure Corps. 

International Travel:
$2,200 round trip from Oregon to Cape Town, South Africa

Cost of Living:
Interns should plan to spend $300-$350/month for food, entertainment and personal expenses.

Note: Students who have participated in Africa internships have suggested that interns may want to bring additional money so that they may participate more in uniquely African activities, such as visits to game parks, buying local clothing and crafts, contributing to local organizations, and bringing home gifts for friends and family. Therefore, depending on your interests, you may want to budget additional funds.

Budget Note:
Applicants should use these estimates for preliminary budgeting purposes.
IE3 will issue an official budget after acceptance by the host organization.

Application Information

Academic Credit:
Up to 12 credits available as per arrangement with supervising department.

Application Materials:
IE3 is a program of the Oregon University System.
Students from participating partner universities are also eligible to apply.
Click here for application information and select your school from the list.

Created/Revised:4/25/08