ITALY / WorkingAbroad
A sailing-boat based cetacean research and conservation programme in the Cetacean Sanctuary, Western Mediterranean.
The Project
The research focuses on the spectacularly large fin whale as well as on sperm whales, Risso’s dolphins, pilot whales, striped and bottlenose dolphins. Participants will be directly involved in field activities, helping the researchers to collect cetacean data and assist them in preliminary analyses of digital photos and acoustic recordings, while learning basics in sailing.
Sample day
The schedule of a research cruise depends very much on weather conditions. Surveys are conducted whenever the sea state and wind forecasts are favourable for data collection. Participants are full members of the crew, and they will be assigned a number of duties. These include sighting shifts (looking for cetaceans), computer shifts (data entry and hydrophone listening), navigation shifts (checking the boat course and velocity), cooking and boat-keeping shifts (participants as well as staff members will be in charge of preparing meals and cleaning-up, keeping the boat tidy and ready to sail).
Please visit www.workingabroad.com for updates on 2011 dates.
Costs: The total cost ranges from 780 to 915 GB pounds per week (depending on course date).
Application: To apply and for more information, please visit www.workingabroad.com or email Victoria.McNeil@workingabroad.com
EXPIRED