Diving volunteer projects?

[johnllewellyndavies]

I want to get involved with a diving volunteer project. If anyone has any information on good projects to look into or bad ones to avoid I would love to hear from you. I am especially interested in doing a project involving sharks but that is not essential. Cheers.

 

[smellzlikefish]

There are lots of available projects and everyone loves a volunteer. I recall a recent post on a Manta Ray internship on Maui and an earlier post on thresher shark research in the Phillipines. I have a friend that volunteered in the Phillipines with some kind of marine protected area (not sure if this is the correct terminology for this) monitoring. I also remember seeing a whale shark program that was accepting volunteers (unsure where). For more options, try google searching.

 

[MJJ]

My son and I just signed up with Reefcheck.org. Seems like a solid outfit.

 

[Faelog]

Try the Thresher Shark Research and Conservation Project in the Philippines. I hear that it is an excellent outfit which does really great work. I don't know their web address offhand but I'm sure you can google them.

 

[DevonDiver]

I think Matt Reed is involved with the Malapasua Thresher Shark Project... he's here on Scubaboard...

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ph...sher-shark-research-conservation-project.html

I think Europlacement are also involved in the same Thresher Shark project:

Europlacement: Voluntary works / The Thresher Shark Project / Philippines / Malapascua

and also this:

The Thresher Shark Research and Conservation Project - Volunteer Research Assistants

Location: Malapascua Island, Cebu, The Philippines
Dates: January - July 2010
Website: The Thresher Shark Research and Conservation Project

Dive and shark enthusiasts are requested to assist the 'Thresher Shark Research and Conservation Group' in conducting fieldwork in the Philippines from January - August 2010. This is a unique opportunity for individuals with a keen interest in studying and diving with sharks to gain hands on experience in shark survey methodology, behaviour, biology, ecology and conservation. Volunteer research assistants will be based on Malapascua Island (Cebu) and shuttled to Monad Shoal aboard a dedicated research vessel. Ops will run from 05:00 to 20:00 five days a week and include SCUBA survey, underwater video observation, tagging (pending funding) and photographic ID databasing. Evenings will be spent in academics, training, reviewing video observations, analysing data for scientific paper writing, and preparing for the next day’s ops.

All volunteer research assistants will receive comprehensive hands on training in shark research methodology, marine wildlife photography, marine videography and analytical approaches to understanding shark behaviour. Assistants will also receive academics in shark biology, ecology, conservation and ethology (behaviour) and will apply learned concepts to the analysis of real data that they acquire on a daily basis. Accepted candidates will benefit from a close working relationship with a specialist.


* Visit The Thresher Shark Research and Conservation Project at http://www.threshersharkproject.org for expedition dates and details *​

 

[smellzlikefish]

Manta Ray work on Maui info can be found here. I know nothing about the credibility of the organization.

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/oc...-manta-ray-internship-summer-2011-hawaii.html