GiliSharkConservation

What GiliSharkConservation does

GiliSharkConservation is a marine conservation education and citizen-science program founded in 2016 and based in Gili Air, Indonesia, operating within the Gili Islands reef ecosystem. Its core offering consists of fee-based participant programs in which divers, students, and volunteers contribute to reef and shark monitoring while receiving structured training, with the organization functioning simultaneously as an education provider, a field-data collector, and a conservation advocate.

The organization holds PADI authorization to deliver a proprietary Scientific Diver Distinctive Specialty Course and is positioned as the only globally authorized provider of that curriculum, which gives it a credentialed training product distinct from generic eco-tourism dive trips. It has also aligned with the UN Decade on Restoration and accumulated multiple conservation and program awards, indicating a deliberate strategy of building reputational and institutional capital rather than scaling primarily through commercial channels. Revenue mechanics are participant-fee driven, supplemented by donations and partnership in-kind support, with operations run by a small team of 1-10 staff and field personnel.

Name

GiliSharkConservation

Legal name

Gili Shark Conservation

Website

https://gilisharkconservation.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

GiliSharkConservation is a Gili Air, Indonesia-based marine conservation nonprofit founded in 2016 that runs fee-based citizen-science diving programs, reef and shark monitoring, and a proprietary PADI Scientific Diver Specialty Course serving international divers, students, and volunteers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Conservation Education

akta.pro primary industry

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Marine Conservation & Citizen-Science Experiences (reef monitoring, turtle walks) (THAAAIAH), Dive Centers & Scuba Training (PADI/SSI, certifications) (THAAAIAA)

Keywords

• Marine conservation education
• Scientific diving programs
• Coral reef restoration
• Shark population research
• Citizen science volunteering

Headquarters

HQ city

Pemenang, Nusa Tenggera Barat

HQ country

Indonesia

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Research Assistant Program Fees: Participants pay program fees to join conservation education programs that include scientific diver training, PADI certifications, accommodation, and hands-on marine conservation work. The programs run for varying durations (typically 2-8 weeks).
2. Divemaster Conservation Program: Training program combining PADI divemaster certification with conservation work, targeting individuals pursuing diving careers.
3. Shark Specialist Program: Intensive shark research program running twice yearly, offering immersive experience in shark ecology and research methodology.
4. Coral Research & Restoration Program: Specialized coral conservation program including coral monitoring, restoration techniques, and ecosystem assessment.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Gili Shark Conservation operates paid volunteer marine conservation programs on Gili Air, Indonesia, combining scientific diving, PADI dive certifications, and hands-on research on sharks, turtles, and coral reefs. Participants enroll as 'Shark Warriors' in structured programs (Research Assistant, Divemaster Conservation, Shark Specialist, Coral Research & Restoration) that contribute data to the Gili Matra Marine Park authority. The organization also offers a citizen science mobile app (Gili Ocean App) for reporting marine sightings.

Product overview

Gili Shark Conservation is a conservation education and training program operated by Gili Conservation Dive Center, offering volunteer-based marine conservation experiences on Gili Air, Indonesia. The organization provides multiple structured programs including the Research Assistant Program, Divemaster Conservation Program, Shark Specialist Program (Shark Research Month), and Coral Research & Restoration Program (Coral Month). Participants receive diving certifications including PADI courses (Open Water, Advanced Open Water, Rescue, Scientific Diver) and Conservation Diver specialty courses (Shark Ecology, Sea Turtle Ecology, Marine Ecology). The programs combine underwater scientific diving with coral restoration, shark research using photo identification and Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV), and community-based conservation work. Supporting offerings include the Gili Ocean App for citizen science data collection, DAN diving insurance, and the Plastic Free Paradise Campaign. The organization partners with PADI, Conservation Diver, Oceans5 Dive Resort, and Coral Catch Indonesia.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Coral Catch: A woman-based scholarship program set up through Gili Shark Conservation providing opportunities for local Indonesian women in marine conservation.

Products and services

• Research Assistant Program A conservation education and training program in which participants spend half of their day underwater as scientific divers and the other half at headquarters as research assistants, learning survey techniques used in marine conservation including fish ID, coral health, and photo identification. Targeted at individuals who want to combine travel with meaningful contribution to marine research in the Gili Matra Marine Recreational Reserve.
• Divemaster Conservation Program

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Gili Matra Bersama (Yayasan Gili Matra Bersama)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary research partner and local NGO. Data collected during training dives is donated to Gili Matra Bersama, a registered Indonesian foundation with formal conservation partnership with BKKPN Kupang (Gili Matra Marine Park authority). Gili Shark Conservation supports this NGO in protecting and restoring the coral reef environment within the Gili Matra Marine Recreational Reserve.
• Coral Catch IndonesiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerScientific research and data management partner. Coral Catch runs the women-based scholarship program (Coral Catch) in partnership with Gili Shark Conservation, providing opportunities for local Indonesian women in marine conservation.
• PADIcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational scuba diving certification agency. Gili Shark Conservation is an official PADI dive center offering PADI courses and created the PADI Scientific Diver Distinctive Specialty Course (approved by PADI in 2018). Gili Shark is the only organization authorized to teach this specialty course worldwide.
• Conservation DivercoreTechnology or IntegrationInternational conservation diving organization. Gili Shark Conservation offers Conservation Diver specialty courses including Shark Ecology & Population Studies, Sea Turtle Ecology & Monitoring, and Marine Ecology & Monitoring. Data collection methodologies align with Conservation Diver standards.
• Oceans5 Dive ResortcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGili Shark Conservation collaborates with Oceans5 Dive Resort Gili Air for dive training, equipment provision, and diving logistics. The resort's instructors support Gili Shark programs, and many participants complete PADI certifications through this partnership.
• UN Decade on RestorationflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerGili Shark Conservation is an official global partner of the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021-2031, aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water).
• PADI AWARE FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPADI's environmental arm focused on ocean conservation. Gili Shark Conservation received the 2022 PADI AWARE Community Grant for ocean protection initiatives and participates in PADI AWARE programs.
• Mission BlueminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMarine conservation organization founded by Dr. Sylvia Earle. Partner organization supporting Gili Shark Conservation's efforts in the region.
• The Ocean CleanupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational nonprofit developing advanced technologies to rid oceans of plastic. Listed as partner organization supporting marine conservation efforts.
• Women in Ocean ScienceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization supporting women in marine science. Listed as partner supporting Gili Shark Conservation's women empowerment initiatives.
• MālamaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization supporting Coral Catch, the women-based scholarship program set up through Gili Shark Conservation. Mālama chose Coral Catch as a partner to make long-lasting impact in conservation.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Conservation Diver: International organization offering specialty courses in marine ecology, shark, and sea turtle monitoring; an existing partner of Gili Shark Conservation that delivers overlapping training and citizen-science methodology.
• Reef Check: Global volunteer-driven reef monitoring organization that trains citizen scientists in standardized reef survey methodologies, directly comparable to Gili Shark Conservation's survey dive programs and citizen-science data collection.
• Marine Conservation Philippines: Volunteer-based marine conservation organization in the Coral Triangle offering PADI courses and citizen-science dive programs; directly comparable in model, region, and customer base.
• Biosphere Expeditions: International nonprofit running fee-paying volunteer conservation expeditions, including marine projects, with a similar business model of combining training, fieldwork, and citizen-science data collection.
• Coral Watch: Citizen-science coral health monitoring program whose survey methodology is used by Gili Shark Conservation; comparable in coral monitoring training and volunteer-driven reef data collection.

Emerging players

• Reef-World Foundation: International organization promoting sustainable diving and coral reef conservation with a focus on training and education; comparable mission and adjacent methodology to Gili Shark Conservation.

Broad incumbents

• Earthwatch Institute: Established global nonprofit that recruits paying volunteers for scientific field research, including marine ecology; comparable in business model but operates at significantly larger scale and broader geographic reach.
• Mission Blue: Sylvia Earle-led marine conservation organization and existing partner of Gili Shark Conservation; broader in scope but shares focus on marine protected areas and ocean advocacy.
• PADI AWARE Foundation: PADI's conservation arm funding ocean protection and citizen-science dive programs globally; existing partner of Gili Shark Conservation with overlapping audience of divers and conservation volunteers.

Regional players

• Gili Eco Trust: Local Indonesian nonprofit focused on reef restoration and conservation on the Gili Islands; operates in the same geography and supports overlapping reef and community conservation work.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/GiliSharkConservation
• Instagraminstagram.com/gilisharkconservation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gilisharkconservation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about GiliSharkConservation