Marine ecology training
Our oceans are home to more than 80% of life on earth but
the vast majority still remain unexplored today.
However, researchers estimate that by 2050,
90% of our reefs will unfortunately be destroyed.
The Geneva Ocean Academy specializes in marine ecology courses and adapts to all levels; whether you are fascinated, scared or interested in the marine world, our mission is to teach you and make you aware of a world that is still little known. The next time you go to sea, we hope you will have a new understanding and vision of a world as fragile as the ocean.
We offer 6 Marine Ecology courses that touch on different subjects. These can be done on your own or in groups and are flexible according to your needs. Our training is given in a classroom but can also be integrated into our diving training.
Price: 120 .- / lesson (special price 600.- for the 6 lessons)
Marine Ecology
More than 70% of the Earth is covered with ocean. The number of organisms and the diversity of species that inhabit this vast space is incredible. How did this diversity come about and how can we begin to organize what we know about life in the ocean? The characteristics and colors, shapes and sizes and physical and behavioral adaptations of species have similarities and differences.
How did they evolve so that they can successfully survive in what they call home?
Only 5% of the ocean has been explored so far. As you explore this chapter, think about the number of different organisms that live in the ocean or depend on the ocean for survival.
Imagine how many more have yet to be discovered. We can learn a lot from the diversity of life that makes up our ocean ecosystem.
WITH THIS COURSE, YOU WILL UNDERSTAND THAT:
1. The ocean is made up of many different ecosystems which have a wide range of defining characteristics.
2. Life in our ocean has evolved into an incredible diversity of organisms that inhabit different ecosystems.
3. The physical components of our oceans, such as the characteristics of water, temperature, salinity and its movements interact with living systems.
4. There are many natural and human impacts on our ocean.
5. Humans can influence the health, management and recovery of our ocean.
This course has 6 chapters:
Marine Ecosystems
Biodiversity of Marine Life
Marine Ecology
Oceanography
Human impact
Management and Conservation
Shark Ecology
When you think of a shark, what images come to mind? What distinctive characteristics do they have? Pointy teeth ? A clean body? Fins?
There are hundreds of different species of sharks. While we can describe these various groups of fish in different ways, sharks all have certain characteristics in common - what makes a shark a shark.
These species live in oceans around the world and some even make it to fresh water. Let's explore sharks, from their biology and behavior to misconceptions and the impact humans have on them, and how this ultimately affects the ocean ecosystem.
From the origin and history of sharks to their current place in the ocean ecosystem, this study of sharks is a comprehensive look at these incredible organisms.
With more than 500 species, we will study their biology, their interactions, misconceptions about them and their conservation.
AT THE END OF THIS COURSE, YOU WILL UNDERSTAND THAT:
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The relationship between sharks and humans is complex because it involves fear and misconceptions. Shark education helps foster a more balanced understanding.
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Sharks are fish. They have specific characteristics, including well-developed sensory systems, that define them.
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Sharks live all over the world and play an important role in the ocean ecosystem.
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The history of sharks began around 400 million years ago and continues to this day.
This course has 7 chapters:
Sharks and humans -
A complicated relationship
Sharks through time
Sharks are fish
How to increase the shark population
The senses of sharks
Sharks and the ecosystem
The strange, the awesome and
the beauty
Manta and ray ecology
Rays and their close relatives sharks, have been around for hundreds of millions of years. Some species appeared long before dinosaurs roamed the Earth, but we know surprisingly little about these majestic creatures, including their age, maturity, and migrations.
When you think of a ray, what image comes to mind? Is it a stingray lurking under the pearly white sand or a majestic spotted eagle ray hovering above a large block of coral? Perhaps it is the grandfather of all these species, the giant manta ray, which can measure six meters from end to end of its fins and glides in the open ocean like a majestic bird.
In this program, you will explore what makes a stingray a stingray, you will distinguish the differences with sharks, you will locate their habitat, you will discover what they eat and you will learn to identify one ray in relation to another.
This course has 5 chapters:
Shark or Ray?
Identify common species
The Manta Ray
Economic value of rays
Tourism
Fish Identification
You have travelled to an exotic tropical island, or you have just watched a big movie with great fish.
When you think of a fish, what images come to mind? What are their distinctive features? Exotic colors? A streamlined body? Unique behaviors? There are thousands of different species of fish in the ocean. While we can describe these various groups of fish in different ways, all fish have some common characteristics - these things set them apart from other marine organisms.
Almost every body of water has at least one species of fish. This program will explore their lives, behavior, from their way of life and behavior to misconceptions and human impact on them, and how this ultimately affects the ocean ecosystem.
We will also discuss how to identify and classify a species, which is an essential skill for anyone interested in identifying fish.
Throughout this program, we will learn to identify different species of fish based on their physical characteristics, behavior, habitat and geographic location.
This course has 7 chapters:
Classification of species
Physical characteristics
and behavior
Discovery of fish families
Caribbean
Discovery of fish families
of the Indo-Pacific
Discovery of fish families
of the Indo-Pacific
Discovery of fish families
of the Red Sea.
Ecology of Sea Turtles
Have you ever wondered how sea turtles can migrate great distances, while returning to the beach where they were born to lay their eggs?
Graceful in the water, sea turtles glide with the greatest ease in the ocean and travel to distant beaches to ensure the survival of their species.
You will study the history of these marine reptiles, the natural and anthropogenic threats to their survival, reproduction and how they cope with the challenges they encounter.
Only a few species of these ancient reptiles survive today. This program will retrace their history, habitat, diet and behavior.
It will also discuss how sea turtles are threatened by natural and man-made sources, and how you can help protect these endangered animals.
You will explore the seven species of living sea turtles and be able to identify them.
This course has 5 chapters:
The different species of sea turtles
Nests, eggs and hatches
Swimming and migration
Living in the ocean
Threats and conservation