Coastal Dolphin Conservation

location
1 - 4 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Brilliant 4.7  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Moderate response rate

Highlights

  • Explore and volunteer in beautiful Greece!
  • Volunteer with us and gain a first-hand understanding of the motivations that inspire our work!
  • Be involved in the monitoring of the secondary study area located in the Inner Ionian Sea archipelago°

Highlights

  • Explore and volunteer in beautiful Greece!
  • Volunteer with us and gain a first-hand understanding of the motivations that inspire our work!
  • Be involved in the monitoring of the secondary study area located in the Inner Ionian Sea archipelago°
  • Work side-by-side with researchers and contribute to field data collection
  • Meet like-minded volunteers from all over the world!


  • Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Couples
    Families
    Groups

    About the program

    From June to September, be part of a scientific team focused on the study and conservation of coastal dolphins in the beautiful waters of western Greece.

    By sharing every experience with us, and ultimately living a researcher’s life, you will gain a first-hand understanding of the motivations that inspire our work, appreciate its significance for dolphin conservation and learn about the importance of protecting the marine ecosystem and its ...

    About the program

    By sharing every experience with us, and ultimately living a researcher’s life, you will gain a first-hand understanding of the motivations that inspire our work, appreciate its significance for dolphin conservation and learn about the importance of protecting the marine ecosystem and its wonderful inhabitants.

    While most of the survey effort will be carried out in the Gulf of Ambracia, volunteers will also be involved in monitoring of the secondary study area located in the Inner Ionian Sea archipelago. Such monitoring, however, will depend on weather conditions and project priorities. After each survey, all the data is entered into dedicated databases. 

    The RESEARCH METHODS include:

    • Surveys to monitor dolphins in the study areas are conducted daily from the IDP’s rigid-hulled inflatable boat equipped with a 100HP outboard engine.
    • Individual photo-identification, used to obtain information on dolphin abundance, movements, habitat use, social organization and reproductive success.
    • Recordings of the group size and behavior of the dolphins during long-lasting observation sessions, which are subsequently analyzed through GIS software.
    • Recordings of other marine species including sea turtles, tuna, swordfish and seabirds.
    • Inspection of dead dolphins found stranded or adrift in the study area, to identify the causes of death whenever possible, and collection of biological samples for further investigations. Occurrence of dolphin by-catch in fishing gear is also recorded.
    • Assessment of the interactions between dolphins and local fisheries.Once their participation is confirmed the volunteers will receive a pdf file with detailed information on every single aspect of the project, including information on the study area, meeting arrangements on arrival and useful info and travel tips on how to get to Vonitsa.

    Although in most cases our volunteers are 18 years old or more, we can also accept younger volunteers as long as they participate in the project accompanied by and adult (e.g., parent/s, family member or a friend that is21 year old or older). This possibility is discussed on a case-by-case basis.

    All our volunteer weeks start on Sundays and finish on Saturdays. Please keep this in mind when arranging your volunteer journey.



    Typical day

    Volunteers will conduct daily surveys onboard the research boat, working side-by-side with the researchers and contributing to field data collection. You will actively engage in visual surveys, looking for dolphins, sea turtles, birds and other fauna during navigation. As soon as dolphins are ...

    Typical day

    Volunteers will conduct daily surveys onboard the research boat, working side-by-side with the researchers and contributing to field data collection. You will actively engage in visual surveys, looking for dolphins, sea turtles, birds and other fauna during navigation. As soon as dolphins are sighted, volunteers will help to record angle and distance from the boat. You will help to record dolphin spatial distribution, group sizes (a demanding task, as dolphin groups are often large and fluid), group composition (i.e. number of newborns, calves, juveniles and adults) and behavior at five-minute intervals throughout the duration of the sighting, as well as to look out for sea turtles, birds and other animals.

    At the field station, you will contribute to data entry and analysis of digital photos. You will be taught how to file, name, crop and prepare digital photos of the dolphins’ dorsal fins for subsequent matching. You will then engage in individual photo-identification based on natural marks on the fins, by matching the dolphins photographed at sea with a digital catalogue of known animals. You may also assist in the identification of birds associated with dolphins, and of fish prey in the birds’ beaks, based on digital photographs taken in the field.

    Volunteers and researchers alike will engage in cooking and housekeeping shifts (on a rotation). Shared tasks will include meal planning and preparation. Those that are not familiar with cooking are recommended to bring some recipes with them. Dishwashing and house cleaning are also communal activities shared by all.


    Free-time activities

    Volunteers will have plenty of free time. The work at sea is concentrated mostly during the morning hours. Once back from the sea, we will all have lunch at the field base. Then, all team members will have about 2 hours of free time before starting to work with the data collected at sea during our ...

    Free-time activities

    Volunteers will have plenty of free time. The work at sea is concentrated mostly during the morning hours. Once back from the sea, we will all have lunch at the field base. Then, all team members will have about 2 hours of free time before starting to work with the data collected at sea during our dolphin observations. 

    Usually, the afternoon activities are interrupted around 7pm; it is then when those in charge of preparing dinner start so set things up and the rest of participants are free to do as they like until dinner time (around 8-8:30 pm). 

    No specific activities are scheduled during the free time. Volunteers will do as they like depending on their own initiative and interests. Typically free-time hours are spend resting and chilling out at the volunteers accommodations, walking along the seaside, spending time in local bars, tavernas or at the beach. 

    In the field base there will be a sign-in/sign-out form, where volunteers will write their cellphone number, what time they are leaving and what time they expect to be back, in order to keep the project's personnel informed of their whereabouts in case they need to be contacted.


    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

    Skills essential to participation include an open mind, flexibility to changing situations and a desire to help and learn. Experience in use of computers would be a bonus, but is not necessary. Parental consent form needed for underage.

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 08:00 - 18:00

    What's Included

    What's Included

    Services by Tethys Research Institute

    Our calendar is scheduled to have 1-week teams starting on Sunday and finishing on Saturday. There are special offers for students. Participants joining us for more than one week will have a 10% discount in any additional team. These are non-cumulative offers.
    Accommodation and Food are included. Travel expenses and beverages/food occasionally consumed in local tavernas and bars will not be covered. Volunteers are expected to issue their own travel insurance that covers them in case of an accident or illness.


    Accommodation

    Our field base, just 50 meters away from the seaside, consists of the first floor of a two-storey house and is divided into two areas: an apartment with a large living room, open kitchen and a big balcony, two toilets with showers (one for staff and one for project participants), two bedrooms (for staff) and the office. The second area is a large comfortable loft of 90 square meters where participants will work and also sleep (bunk beds). Sheets and blankets are provided.

    Food & Beverages

    Vonitsa offers a choice of restaurants and taverns where volunteers may choose to eat dinner at their own expense (an average lunch or dinner costs about 12-20 Euro). Shopping is usually done by project staff members in Vonitsa, where one can find well-equipped, modern supermarkets and ingredients for the most demanding palates and needs. This way self made breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. Alcoholic drinks are not covered by the project. The fridge at the field base will always have fruit juices and water.

    Internet Access

    Good access at the project site

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Airport Pickup at Aktion Airport

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

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Aktion Airport (PVK) in Preveza. We assist you to find cheap flights to Greece. 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 Greece provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

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

    Details on arrival

    Expeditions take place between mid-June and mid-September each year. 
    From Sunday to Saturday.
    Expedition available: 16 Jun (fully booked) , 23 Jun (fully booked), 30 Jun (fully booked) , 7 Jul (fully booked), 14 Jul (fully booked), 4 Aug (fully booked) , 11 Aug (fully booked), 18 Aug (fully booked), 25 aug (fully booked), 1 Sep (fully booked), 8 Sep (1 place)

    From mid November 2023 it will be possible to book one or more places for the 2024 research season.




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

    Program fees

    1 week (min. stay) 988€
    2 weeks 1,835€
    3 weeks 2,663€
    4 weeks (max. stay) 3,531€
    Average fees 935€/week

    Program fees

    935€ per week 1 - 4 weeks Age 18 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES


    Duration

    1 - 4 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 Tethys Research Institute during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


    Meet your organization

    Tethys Research Institute

    Brilliant 4.7 rating (8 reviews)

    Non-profit - founded in 1991

    Verified by Volunteer World

      Moderate response rate

    Coordinated by

    Adriana

    Spoken languages: English, Italian

    About the project

    A non-profit research organisation supporting marine conservation through science and and public awareness with a focus on large marine vertebrates

    Meet your organization

    The Tethys Research Institute is a non-profit research organisation supporting marine conservation through science and public awareness, founded in 1986 and headquartered at the Civic Aquarium of Milano, Italy. Tethys’ main goal is the conservation of the marine environment, achieved through the provision of scientific knowledge to conservation policy, the participation in the international conservation process, and public awareness. Over almost three decades of work, Tethys has generated one of the largest datasets on Mediterranean cetaceans and communicated the results of its research in hundreds of scientific publications. In 1991 Tethys was the first to conceive and propose the creation of an iconic protected area, the Pelagos Sanctuary for the Conservation of Mediterranean Marine Mammals, the world’s first to be established beyond national jurisdiction. Since 1987 Tethys has involved  thousands of people from all over the world as research volunteers in its conservation activities. Funding to Tethys derive from government and EC grants, private donors, and contributions from research volunteers. The work of Tethys is based on the collaboration of approximately 30 associates and assistants.

    Striving to increase scientific knowledge on ecological aspects of the marine environment, and on the threats to ocean health deriving from human activities, is the core business of the Tethys Research Institute.
    During its 30 years of operation Tethys has contributed substantively to the understanding of the ecology and conservation status of many species of marine vertebrates such as marine mammals and cartilaginous fishes, mostly in the Mediterranean Sea but also in the Red Sea and North Atlantic Ocean.

    Conserving the marine environment involves the management of human activities, and as such it is primarily a political process. Science has an important supporting role in such process, and Tethys has actively worked to provide robust scientific knowledge to marine conservation.
    Contributions include attracting decision-makers’ attention on emerging issues, such as collision with ships and effects of noise, proactive participation in the international conservation effort, and the proposal of place-based conservation measures such s marine protected areas.

    Whales and dolphins are being studied in their natural environment; Tethys runs two long-term projects which are open to the participation of the public: one in Italy, in the Pelagos Sanctuary of the Ligurian Sea (north western Mediterranean), and one in Greece, in the Eastern Ionian Sea.

    The Institute has conducted long-term studies on cetaceans in the Corso-Ligurian-Provencal basin, in the coastal waters of Greece and in the Adriatic Sea. Research has also been carried out investigating cetaceans in the Messina Strait and in several other Mediterranean and Atlantic areas, as well as aerial surveys in the seas around Italy.

    Research methods utilised by Tethys include the use of remote sensing and telemetry data, the combined use of laser range-finding binoculars and GPS to record the movements of whales, population studies based on distance sampling and photographic capture-recapture, bioacoustic research, behavioural sampling, remote collection of biopsy samples for genetic and toxicological analyses, and historical studies.

    The Institute holds vast photographic archives of cetacean images that have enabled the identification of over 1,500 individuals of eight Mediterranean species.

    With a core team of approximately 30 collaborators, the Tethys Research Institute has involved in its expeditions thousands of people from all over the world, and has developed a remarkable cetacean research and conservation network

    8 reviews · rating4.7

    We have seen lots of dolphins doing amazing things. I would like to thank the IDP personnel for making this such a positive learning experience. It has re-charged my batteries and my students back home will greatly benefir from it ...
    My week with the IDP was an incredible experience – much better than expected and definitely far beyond my wildest dreams. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity of being part of this great ...
    Vivian rating4.6

    2017 at Coastal Dolphin Conservation

    Thank you so much for introducing me to the wonders of the Seas. Our oceans are a part of our planet that until recently I have had little time to explore. Your project has not only educated me on the issues in this breathtaking region but also on serious conservation issues worldwide. I will always ...
    Fran rating4.6

    2017 at Coastal Dolphin Conservation

    My expectations for this project were high, but it has exceeded them by miles! While I thought we would be allowed to help with the research, I never believed I would be as involved as we have been in data collection. I felt I was truly contributing to the research that will hopefully help to ...
    Glenda rating4.4

    2017 at Coastal Dolphin Conservation

    Learning about dolphins has been not just educational, but exciting! While I am not a scientist and have limited skills, it is a good feeling to be able to contribute to scientific research in some way. I hope many others have an experience as fulfilling as ...
    Jonas rating4.4

    2017 at Coastal Dolphin Conservation

    Not only did we get a good insight into the daily work of a marine researcher. We also got the privilege to be touched by the passion of the true heroes of Tethys, one of the organizations that stand between us and the total collapse of sea ...

    Location

    Europe > Southern Europe > Greece > Vonitsa

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    Contact Adriana
      Moderate response rate
    English, Italian

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