from 550€

Excellent 4.8rating (21)

Cetaceans and Coastal Monitoring Week

location
1 - 2 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Excellent 4.8  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Good response rate

Highlights

  • Learnt different methods for studying marine mammals in the wild and gaining practical experience of cetacean field research.
  • Have a deeper understanding of cetacean ecology, biology, behaviour and physiology
  • Learn to recognize several cetacean, and other marine fauna species of the Mediterranean Sea.
  • Have a good understanding of standard procedures in fieldwork data collection and further possible analyses that can be developed
  • Visit Italy and the wonderful ligurian region

Especially suitable

Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Groups

About the program

This weekly program aims to provide participants with knowledge on various aspects of cetacean and marine fauna research with both theoretical and practical activities

This program aims to provide participants the basic knowledge on various aspects of cetacean and marine macrofauna research and the most important coastal monitoring techniques.
Participants will take part in various theoretical and practical activities to improve their familiarity with monitoring ...

About the program

This program aims to provide participants the basic knowledge on various aspects of cetacean and marine macrofauna research and the most important coastal monitoring techniques.
Participants will take part in various theoretical and practical activities to improve their familiarity with monitoring protocols of coastal environments, ID skills, and photo identification. Interns will be involved 5 days a week, 6-8 hours/day (depending on fieldwork or lab work), also during the weekend if the weather is good.

- Land-based surveys will be conducted when good weather conditions allow. During these activities, the participant will gain familiarity with the protocols of data collection used on the field by researchers and will have the opportunity to contribute to the monitoring of the species within the study area. 

- Boat-based surveyes if the weather and sea conditions allow, participants will be able to take part in a boat-based survey during which they will gain first-hand experience in collecting data on free-ranging cetaceans and improve skills in cetacean boat-based surveys. Fieldwork cannot be guaranteed before due to being weather-dependent. In the weekly program, we cannot guarantee to do fieldwork. The coordinators make every possible effort to switch between field and office work during the week, but this is not always possible due to the weather constraints. It can happen, for example, to go in the field 4 days a week or the opposite, to stay in the office for a whole week

- office work includes transcription of data, data entry on laptop (transcription on Excel forms of all the data collected on the field), photo-id analysis and matching (main activity, organise and analyse the pictures of previous sightings of bottlenose dolphins, organise in subfolders and then match all the individuals with our catalogue of dorsal fins). Classwork duties last no longer than 6 hours a day. Different lessons will be made to the participants (see below details)

The program is highly flexible and with possible last-minute changes due to the changeable weather. The program is not prior scheduled and the activities for the next day are often communicated in the evening (before 21:30). The coordinators make every possible effort to switch between field and office work during the week, but this is not always possible due to weather constraints. It can happen, for example, to go to the field 4 days a week or the opposite, to stay in the office for a whole week.

During their free time, interns will have the opportunity to experience all sorts of activities: swimming, diving, hiking, exploring historical sites, visiting museums, and sailing.  

This program offers the opportunity to students and enthusiasts of this field to gain knowledge on marine biology, particularly on cetaceans, sea birds, and other protected species of conservation value.

At the end of the course, participants will receive a certificate. It will also be possible, for students, to obtain university credits (for this it is necessary to have an agreement with the university). 

GENERAL INFORMATION 

Our Team 
Research and other activities will be conducted by a qualified team, which has more than 10 years of experience in marine fauna research all around the world. Research coordinators will oversee fieldwork and general project coordination, while intern coordinators or research assistants will help in all aspects of the project and coordination of the activity, housekeeping and interns’ responsibilities. 

RESEARCH PROJECT

Project Background
In the Ligurian Sea, bottlenose dolphin has been extensively studied only in the Eastern area, between Genoa and La Spezia, which represents, for a series of features of the seafloor, a perfect habitat for this species. 

On the contrary, in the Western part, no research organization or scientific foundation has conducted studies focused only on bottlenose dolphins because, due to the morphology of the sea bottom, sightings have always been more sporadic than the opposite side. The continental shelf is very narrow and short and high depths (around 2000 m) are reached close to the coast. This makes the area suitable for other cetacean species but not ideal for bottlenose dolphins, which tend to remain in coastal waters. 

Since April 2018, the beginning of our project, we have been demonstrating that this species is regularly present all year round also in this part of the basin with a high occurrence and great numbers. The project is structured on an annual basis, to obtain data not only on the distribution during the Summer but also changes during the different seasons. Data from this study are being used to create a baseline for a long-term project, monitoring bottlenose dolphins in this part of the Ligurian Sea, information needed to suggest and create conservation plans for their protection.

Marine Birds and Other Fauna Research Project
During our surveys, we collect data on the presence of other cetacean species and on several species of marine birds, fishes and sea turtles that can be sighted. Our database of marine fauna provides interesting information about the seasonal presence of Mediterranean shearwaters (Puffinus yelkouan), Scopoli’s shearwaters (Calonectris diomedea), Northern gannets (Morus bassanus), Sandwich terns (Thalasseus sandvicensis), sunfish (Mola mola) among others.

Research Topics 
  • Groups and social structure analysis: to study the interactions and associations between individuals 
  • Abundance: estimation of the local population size 
  • Distribution, occurrence and movements to understand if the animals perform movements and migrations, even seasonal, towards the neighbouring areas. 
  • Identification of hot spots or areas with greater importance. 
  • Identification of the main threats which dolphins may incur and therefore the creation of management and conservation plans for their protection. 
  • Interaction with fisheries 
  • Habitat modelling 
  • Skin lesion 
  • Distribution and occurrence of seabirds, with a focus on seasonal variability. 
  • Sea turtle monitoring (Pilot project on nests) 

Methods and data collection 
The project is a long-term coastal project. Data are collected during dedicated boat-based surveys conducted from a 5.2 m zodiac equipped with a 40 hp outboard engine, based in the port of Imperia, with 4/5 crew members. Surveys are carried out in favourable weather-marine conditions (Beaufort ≤3) around 10 times a month. The main effort is focused on collecting images, which will be used to identify the sighted animals, through the technique of photo-identification. Environmental conditions, marine traffic, geographical locations and dolphins' behavioural data are among the data collected at sea.

The study area and the Pelagos Sanctuary 
The study area, which extends from Capo Noli to the France border, from the coast to the bathymetric of 500m in depth is located in the Ligurian Sea, a basin that shows very particular features, especially in its Western part where it reaches remarkable depths very close to the shore. 

In western Liguria, the continental shelf, which by definition extends from the shore to 200m deep, is little expanded and in a few nautical miles the bottom reaches more than 2500 meters in depth. The continental slope is crossed by many submarine canyons in the area. Other important oceanographic and climate parameters contribute to make this area unique for marine life. 

Thanks to all these features the Ligurian basin is considered to have the highest presence of cetaceans in the whole Mediterranean Sea. For this reason, in 1999, the governments of Italy, France and the Principality of Monaco signed an agreement that sanctions the establishment of a marine protected area, called the International Pelagos Sanctuary. 

The area, which extends for 96,000Km² houses regularly 8 cetacean species: fin whale, sperm whale, striped dolphin, bottlenose dolphin, pilot whale, common dolphin, Risso’s dolphin and Cuvier’s beaked whale. Mobula rays, sea turtles and several marine bird species are regularly present too. 




Typical day

Fieldwork (5-8 hours):
BOAT-BASED SURVEYS: Interns will help and participate in collecting different kinds of data and actively searching for animals. Usually, a survey lasts from 5 to 8 hours and it is required to use binoculars for the majority of its duration. Fieldwork will help participants to ...

Typical day

Fieldwork (5-8 hours):
BOAT-BASED SURVEYS: Interns will help and participate in collecting different kinds of data and actively searching for animals. Usually, a survey lasts from 5 to 8 hours and it is required to use binoculars for the majority of its duration. Fieldwork will help participants to gain first-hand experience in collecting data on free-ranging cetaceans and improve skills on cetacean boat-based surveys. Surveys are weather-dependent.

LAND-BASED SURVEYS (2-3 hours):  It consists of the collection of environmental data, marine traffic, and dolphin presence from two different strategic points in Imperia.

Fieldwork can be scheduled at any hour, it can start at sunrise or end at sunset. Surveys are weather-dependent- and our plans can change often even during one single day. Extreme flexibility is therefore an essential prerequisite. Remember that, even though the sighting probability in the Pelagos Sanctuary is very high, the chances of observing marine wildlife at sea are always unpredictable and not always guaranteed.

Office work (6 hours) :
Office work includes a transcription of data, data entry on the laptop (transcription on Excel forms of all the data collected on the field), photo-id analysis and matching (main activity, organising and analysing the pictures of previous sightings of bottlenose dolphins, organising in subfolders and then match all the individuals with our catalogue of dorsal fins).
During the week, lessons about different topics of marine mammals and marine fauna (Biology, ecology, research techniques used in this topic, conservation…) will be given by the coordinators to the interns.

Be aware that in case of bad weather, the fieldwork will not take place, in alternative it will be possible to spend more time doing classwork and/or our Biologists will suggest other activities in the surroundings.

*REMEMBER: land and boat-based surveys cannot be guaranteed as they are dependent on weather conditions. The project coordinator will decide daily if there are favourable sea-weather conditions for these activities to take place. If these activities will not be conducted due to unfavourable weather, they will be replaced by lectures on various aspects of the cetacean research



Free-time activities

Imperia and the surroundings offer a lot of different activities that interns can do during the free time: swimming, diving, hiking, exploring historical sites, visiting museums, sailing. The coordinators will be happy to suggest you several options according to your personal interests.

Here you cand ...

Free-time activities

Imperia and the surroundings offer a lot of different activities that interns can do during the free time: swimming, diving, hiking, exploring historical sites, visiting museums, sailing. The coordinators will be happy to suggest you several options according to your personal interests.

Here you cand find some ideas:
  • Oceanographic Museum of Monaco
  • International Naval Museum of Imperia
  • Olive Museum of Imperia
  • Villages of Cervo, Dolcedo, Valloria, Bussana Vecchia just to mention a few
  • The surroundings of Imperia offer several different hiking trails
  • We collaborate with some diving centres for diving activity/courses
  • Beaches and snorkelling spots are close to the centre of Imperia

Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 18 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

Language Skills

You need to speak English (basic level)

Required Documents

Letter of motivation

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Other Skills

Be highly adaptable and flexible as fieldwork is weather-dependent and our plans can change several times in one day. Ability to stand several hours in the sun or cold weather on a small boat. Ability to use binoculars for several hours on a boat Prior experience in cetaceans or boat-based surveys is not required, but preferred. Degree or on-going studies in biology, natural science, veterinary or similar (preferred). Strong motivation and interest in cetaceans and research. Able to swim

What's Included

What's Included

Services by Delfini del Ponente

What is included:
- Accommodation
- Lectures
- Practical activities both on land and at sea
- Material used (form for data collection, binoculars….)
- Scientific supervision during all of the activities
- Membership to the Delfini del Ponente APS, comprehensive of insurance
coverage that is a requirement for the field activities
- Certificate of attendance

Accommodation

To facilitate interns, we will provide accommodation in an apartment very close to the office and to the harbour. The flat is composed of a spacious living/dining room with a double sofa bed, a kitchen, 2 toilets and 2 bedrooms (one with two separate single beds and one, generally for the intern coordinator, with a double bed). 


It is furnished with a washing machine and a dishwasher. Interns are responsible for their own food preparation, cleaning and house duties. Interns are expected to take care of the apartment and leave it in the same conditions as they found it. Interns must be aware of the presence of only one bedroom that will have to be shared by the 2 participants.

Smoking is not allowed inside the apartment

Internet Access

Good access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Airport Pickup at Cote D'Azur Airport

An airport pickup isn't included within the program fees either.

Food & Beverages

Food, snacks or beverages are at extra costs.

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Cote D'Azur Airport (NCE) in Nice. We assist you to find cheap flights to Italy. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

Travel Insurance

Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Italy provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

If you are intending to volunteer in Italy you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Italy. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

Weekly from Monday to Saturday

Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

1 week (min. stay) 550€
2 weeks 890€
2 weeks 1 day (max. stay) 930€
Average fees 492€/week

Program fees

492€ per week 1 - 2 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES


Duration

1 - 2 weeks

Deposit

The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


Final Payment

Your final payment will be agreed with Delfini del Ponente during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


Meet your organization

Delfini del Ponente

Excellent 4.8 rating (21 reviews)

Non-profit

Verified by Volunteer World

  Good response rate

Coordinated by

davide

About the project

Research project aiming to assess the presence of bottlenose dolphins in the Western Ligurian Sea. The project includes a field and a lab part.

Meet your organization

The aim of the Project is to understand what is behind an important change perceived by fishermen, whale watching companies and yatchsmen: an increase in common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) sightings in the Western Liguria. The area is historically known as a not-ideal habitat for these dolphins that prefer sandy and shallow waters, and encounters have always been sporadic. Somehow, a different trend has started and bottlenose dolphins seems to be a much more regular to spot.

What caused this change? How many dolphins inhabit the area? What kind of threats are facing in the very busy western Ligurian coast?

There is only one way to uncover these important questions: go out at sea, collect data on dolphins’ presence and distribution and then analyse them!

For this reason, we started the very first research project on bottlenose dolphins in our area! We plan to go out at sea 10-15 times per month for a year collecting data, and then if successful, to continue this project long-term. We take photos of the dolphins sighted using a technique known as ‘photo-identification’ that enables us to follow the animals’ movements and estimate how many they are. These missing information, are essential to make conservation plans to protect these dolphins that, living close to the coast, are very susceptible to the human presence (plastic ingestion, collision with boats, entanglement in fishing gear).

21 reviews · rating4.8

Matej Turcin rating4.8

2024 at Cetaceans and Coastal Monitoring Week

I have stayed with Delfini de Ponente only for a week, but in that time I have experienced a lot of new things and have learned a lot. For the program part I have mainly done office work, since the weather conditions were not ideal during my short stay. Still, the lectures I attended and the work I ...
Emilia D'Amado rating5

2023 at Dolphin Internship Conservation project

I worked as a volunteer at Delfini del Ponente the entire month of October and the experience was excellent! Both the organization of the team and their great willingness to explain the different tasks and other doubts that arose during the various activities is admirable. They are very attentive to ...
I've spent 1 month at delfini del ponente and I loved it:) we saw many different species on the surveys, mostly bottlenose or striped dolphins but also long-finned pilot whales or fin whales. By doing the office work I could have a closer look into the daily life of a scientist and I enjoyed it very ...
Daniele Dipalo rating3.8

2023 at Dolphin Internship Conservation project

Il tirocinio svolto presso Delfini del Ponente mi ha permesso di vivere un’esperienza unica come biologo marino e di arricchire le mie conoscenze nei confronti dell’incredibile biodiversità che il Mar Ligure occidentale ospita *** english *** My internship at Delfini del Ponente allowed ...
The Delfini del ponente dolphin internship is great for anyone in the marine biology field or anyone interested in learning more about marine biology and cetaceans. You will gain valuable research experience with boat based surveys and photo identification as well as better knowledge pertaining to ...
The experience with Delfini del ponente was really fantastic. I chose to do this experience to be able to see the Gannet ( a sea bird) in nature and so it was Also, I learned a lot about monitoring mammals and seabirds, how to collect data and transcribe it to excel. In addition I acquired ...

Location

Europe > Southern Europe > Italy > Imperia

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