Sea Watch Foundation – Research Volunteering opportunity
in Cardigan Bay
for 2010
Volunteers are invited to assist the Sea Watch
Foundation (www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk)
with the running of the “Cardigan Bay Monitoring Project”. The project is based
in New Quay, West Wales,
and takes care of the conservation management of the bottlenose dolphin,
harbour porpoise and grey seal populations of Cardigan
Bay, monitoring their abundance, distribution, reproductive
success and population structure using a combination of line-transect,
photo-identification, land-based and acoustic surveys.
The
volunteers will help the Cardigan Bay Monitoring Officer and the Sightings
Officer by taking part in the following tasks:
·
Land-based surveys
·
Boat-based surveys
·
Photo-identification
studies
·
Database entry
·
Awareness raising
·
Education initiatives
·
Acoustic monitoring
·
Assist with and
participate in training courses and public talks.
Volunteers
are required from April until October 2010, for 4 separate periods of 6 weeks
each. Preference will be given to those who can stay for more than one period,
including the whole 6-months field season. Volunteers will be based in New
Quay, West Wales.
Accommodation is provided at a rate of around £55/week. Volunteers are
responsible for their own travel, accommodation and
living expenses, but it is generally quite easy to obtain part-time paid
work in the area if required.
Volunteering periods for summer 2010:
Period 1
26/04 – 6/06, Period 2 7/06 –
18/07, Period 3 19/07 – 29/08,
Period 4 30/08 – 10/10
Important skills/qualifications
Essential:
·
an ability to work in a meticulous
and reliable manner
·
strong commitment to
volunteering work
·
willingness to work long
hours outdoors in often very changeable Welsh weather
·
good IT skills (Office
package)
·
an ability to get on well
with others in a small team and shared accommodation
Desirable:
·
a background in marine
biology/environmental science or similar
·
a strong interest and
knowledge of British cetaceans
·
prior experience in boat-based
survey work
·
good verbal and written
communication skills and in public speaking
·
experience in interacting
with the public
All volunteers
will be trained in cetacean observation and identification, in line-transect
survey protocols and photo-identification of bottlenose dolphins and grey
seals.
To
apply:
Please send your cv, covering letter and contact
details of two references, reporting any relevant experience you have and
specifying the period(s) you would prefer
to volunteer for to Daphna Feingold (daphna.feing...@seawatchfoundation.org.uk)
Deadlines:
31st of January 2010.
Please
specify NEW QUAY VOLUNTEER APPLICATION into your subject title.
Applicants will be notified of the outcomes by the 22nd of February 2009.
The Sea Watch Foundation
The Sea Watch Foundation is a registered marine
environmental research charity that aims to achieve better conservation of
whales and dolphins in the seas around Britain
and Ireland,
by involving the public in scientific monitoring of populations and the threats
they face. At Sea Watch Wales,
we are dedicated to raising awareness, knowledge and conservation of the marine
wildlife of West Wales.
Our work is funded by the Countryside Council for Wales,
Defra, Joint Nature Conservation Committee and the Heritage Lottery Fund, and
we work closely with the local management authority, Ceredigion County Council.
Research
The
purpose of our research here is to monitor the marine mammal populations
inhabiting Cardigan Bay,
so as to gain information to aid the conservation and long-term well being of
these animals and the local marine environment. This is achieved by conducting
various projects including:
Estimating the abundance and distribution of
bottlenose dolphins, harbour porpoises and grey seals within Cardigan Bay
using distance sampling and
opportunistic boat surveysMaintaining and updating a catalogue of
photographically identified bottlenose dolphins in Wales in order to study
their
abundance, social structure, movements and life histories.Acoustic
monitoring of bottlenose dolphins and
harbour porpoises in the Cardigan Bay SAC using automated click detectors
(T-PODs) and hydrophones.Setting up a library of underwater sounds in
Welsh waters in order to develop bio-acoustic research in the area.
We further aim to raise awareness and
understanding of the importance of the local marine wildlife and the habitats
supporting them, to encourage respect and conservation of the area and its
wildlife for future generations. We also run training courses for the public in
cetacean identification and survey methods.
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