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Perfect 4.65rating (17)

Whale & Dolphin Conservation.

location
1 - 1 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+
Verified

Highlights

  • Work and study aboard a sailboat cruising the Mediterranean, exploring marine life, researching while attending onboard lectures from seasoned scientists
  • Hands-on experience monitoring and observing, acoustic analysis, and seamanship
  • Ideal for Marine Biologists and Animal Science, Environmental studies professionals, and students

Highlights

  • Work and study aboard a sailboat cruising the Mediterranean, exploring marine life, researching while attending onboard lectures from seasoned scientists
  • Hands-on experience monitoring and observing, acoustic analysis, and seamanship
  • Ideal for Marine Biologists and Animal Science, Environmental studies professionals, and students
  • Keywords: marine biology, environmental conservation, cetology research, field-courses

  • You don't have to pay anything yet

    Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Couples
    Families
    50+

    About the program

    We need nature committed volunteers to investigate the declining of the dolphin populations in the Italian Mediterranean Sea.

    For those wishing to jumpstart or further a career in marine biology, or for more casual conservationists keen to enjoy Italy’s ‘dolce vita’ while contributing to ecological research, this one-week Marine Biology Course on the Italian island of Ischia is for you. You will specifically ...

    About the program

    For those wishing to jumpstart or further a career in marine biology, or for more casual conservationists keen to enjoy Italy’s ‘dolce vita’ while contributing to ecological research, this one-week Marine Biology Course on the Italian island of Ischia is for you. You will specifically investigate declining cetacean populations in the Italian Mediterranean with a local non-profit, living aboard a historical cutter ship of 18 m and contributing to ongoing academic research and conservation initiatives.

    The waters off the Island of Ischia offer a unique opportunity to study cetaceans. Since 1991, seven different Mediterranean cetacean species have been recorded.

    The presence of several species gives the project a unique occasion to study and compare the behavioral ecology of the animals. The project’s principal goal is to protect whales’ and dolphins’ habitats, corrupted and threatened by human activities.

    Cetacean threats in the Mediterranean include prey depletion, contamination by xenobiotics, bycatch, marine traffic, and underwater noise caused by shipping, mineral prospecting (seismic), and military sonar.

    Thanks to the amount of collected and published data, in 2017, the IUCN Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force recognized the coastal waters of Ischia and Ventotene as Important Marine Mammals Area (IMMA), with common dolphin, bottlenose dolphin, and fin whale as key species.
    The Archipelagos Pontino and Campano were also identified as IMMA, with sperm whales as qualifying species.

    The research is conducted in collaboration with: CIBRA, MPA “Regno di Nettuno”, MPA Isole di Ventotene e S. Stefano.

    Any economic support for the project comes exclusively from participants in the summer courses, private sponsors, and foundations. Thanks to the participation of volunteers who choose to spend their holidays collaborating on the project, it has been possible to go on in our effort until today.


    Typical day

    Participants live onboard the research vessel Jean Gab which preferably navigates under sail. Your staying will primarily dedicate to the research activities, and all participants will participate in the fieldwork. Every day, except for the arrival and departure days, will be spent at sea, according ...

    Typical day

    Participants live onboard the research vessel Jean Gab which preferably navigates under sail. Your staying will primarily dedicate to the research activities, and all participants will participate in the fieldwork. Every day, except for the arrival and departure days, will be spent at sea, according to the project and weather conditions. Your duties onboard consist of helping researchers to monitor dolphins. Dolphin behavior is recorded together with geographic position, group size, group composition, group formation, surface activity patterns, and duration of surfacing intervals. Behavioral sampling is coupled with acoustic recordings of dolphin vocalizations to relate the sounds produced by the animals to different behavioral activities. Navigation data are collected to estimate the cetacean distribution and habitat use. You will also help record the presence of sea turtles, tuna, swordfish, fish schools, mantas, moonfish, and marine birds.

    Get on board with this unique project and gain invaluable research, monitoring, and evaluation skills, while enjoying Italian wine and the clear waters of the Med.


    Free-time activities

    Free-time activities


    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 (intermediate level)

    Nationality Restrictions

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

    Other Skills

    This placement is particularly suited for those looking to gain a career in marine biology or environmental conservation. You do not need any specific skills, although any you do have will be very beneficial. Reasonable physical fitness is required.

    What's Included

    What's Included

    On-site Services

    • accommodation
    • insurance
    • in-country support
    • orientation and project activities
    Student discount and returning volunteer discounts available - enquire when applying.
    The prices can vary between US$1100 and US$1300 depending upon when you go. Enquire the exact price depending on your dates via the Volunteer World platform.

    Accommodation

    You will live on board the cutter ship. You will be in a shared cabin with basic bathroom and kitchen facilities. Interested volunteers can learn the main riggings to sail such as steering, hoisting and striking the sails, and take confidence with sheets, halyard, compass and courses. You can also collaborate with the crew during the mooring.

    Internet Access

    Good access at the project site
    You don't have to pay anything yet

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Airport Pickup at Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino 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 Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO) in Rome. 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

    Start Dates: Placements are available throughout the summer months, between June and October.

    You will be given easy to follow instructions to get from Rome (Fiumicino) international airport to the island, where you will be met by project staff and taken to the ship.
    Availability
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

    Program fees

    1 week 1,163€
    Average fees 1,163€/week

    Program fees

    1,163€ per week 1 - 1 weeks Age 18 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES


    Duration

    1 - 1 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 Global Nomadic during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.

    You don't have to pay anything yet
    4.7
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    One of the top picks on Volunteer World, according to travelers

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    Meet your project coordinator

    Jeremy
    17
    reviews
    4.65
    Perfect
    2009
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    Travel dates

    1. - 1. Jan 1

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