Fantastic Marine Conservation with Dolphins and Whales in Mauritius!

You'll help raise awareness about the impact of tourism on these species, aiming to ensure a sustainable future for all. This fantastic research opportunity would suit anyone with a love of the outdoors and a passion for marine life.

You'll work with a well established local NGO (MC) who are focused on safe-guarding the marine environment of Mauritius, paying particular attention to the protection of marine mammals and coral reefs. With the decreasing populations, it is imperative to take steps now to identify the cause of the decrease. The work being done by MC is contributing significantly to new legislation to protect the dolphin populations, so you'll be assisting in real, hands-on conservation that will hopefully have a positive outcome.

Man's growing demand for fun activities like dolphin-watching trips and 'swimming with dolphins' has highlighted the need to monitor the effect that this type of human presence is having on cetacean populations. MC are tackling this problem through data collection, but also primarily through education by highlighting to the local Dolphin watching industry the importance of adhering to codes of behaviour throughout Dolphin encounters.

In conjunction with this on-going educational work, a scientific study of the two main dolphin populations began in 2008 in order to track their migration patterns, social groups and habits. This study focuses on Bottlenose and Spinner Dolphins, Sperm Whales and Humpback Whales, all of which are found in the diverse environment between the Tamarin Bay and Black River areas of Mauritius.

At Tamarin Bay in particular, Spinner dolphins can be seen almost every day, with group sizes averaging about 30 to 60 animals. Bottlenose dolphins, although not seen as often, also reside along the west coast. Other marine mammals seen irregularly in the area include pilot whales and sperm whales. In the ‘official’ whale season, between August and November there are often sightings of humpback whales and calves.

YOUR WORK
Research involves taking photographs of dolphin and whale sightings to provide fin profiles for identification, population estimates and distribution studies. Photographs and data sheets compiled during research trips form a vital part of a much larger ecological study of marine mammals along the cost of Mauritius. Field research is then combined with office-based analysis of fin profiles and notch characteristics. Some of the data you'll collect will include, for example, the following:

* Size
* Dorsal fin-size, shape and position
* Body and head shape
* Colour and markings
* Number of animals
* Habitat
* Breaching and other activities
* Blow characteristics (whales)
* Tail shape and markings

One of the major priorities is educating the local children and general public and raising awareness of marine mammals and the habitat they live in. The NGO has some great projects in the pipeline with local schools and hotels. You may be asked to help construct an Information Board and/or other visual aids, including literature and other types of information to be used for these projects.

The volunteer programme plays a vital role assisting with research, conservation and awareness in the area, as well as generating funds to ensure the continuity of such research. Some of the duties you may help with during your time on this project include;

* Data collection and analysis for ongoing projects, especially with regards to population parameters of coastal dolphins and whales. This requires field-based research on the boat, which may take place 2 or 3 times per week depending on weather. Here you'll photograph animals, track their movements, record environmental conditions and map habitat use. There is occasionally the opportunity to swim with the dolphins – it helps to track them. When they dive to the bottom it can be hard to know where they will re-surface, so if swimmers can assist by snorkelling above the water then the boat can track them more easily and the rest of the crew have more time to get information about group size etc.
* Learning about research techniques and methodology used during dolphin research, such as fin profile identification. You'll receive training on this during small workshops throughout your stay.
* Humpback whale work includes photographing hump/fin profiles and tail fluke patterns for identification purposes, in conjunction with taking skin biopsy samples. While this is an exciting, field-based study it is currently done opportunistically and is very dependent on the availability of researchers and whales, as humpback whales do migrate seasonally. Samples are taken as they pass along the coastline – primarily from August to November.
* Speaking to local tourists and boat operators as part of survey research on the dolphin watching industry.
* You may also go out on a tourist boat (catamaran) to gather data through questionnaires with the tourists.
* Research boat checks and equipment maintenance
* Beach or lagoon clean ups
* Office-based duties including data analysis, record keeping and administration.
* Preparing educational activities for schools