Cetaceans and Coastal Monitoring Week

location
1 - 2 semanas  ·  Idade 18 - 50+

rating  Extraordinário 4.9  · 
  Verificado por Volunteer World
  taxa de resposta muito elevada

Destaques

  • Learnt different methods for studying marine mammals in the wild and gaining practical experience of cetacean field research.
  • Have a deeper understanding of cetacean ecology, biology, behaviour and physiology
  • Learn to recognize several cetacean, and other marine fauna species of the Mediterranean Sea.
  • Have a good understanding of standard procedures in fieldwork data collection and further possible analyses that can be developed
  • Visit Italy and the wonderful ligurian region


Especialmente adequado para

Idade 18+
Solteiros
Casais
Grupos

Sobre o programa

This weekly program aims to provide participants with knowledge on various aspects of cetacean and marine fauna research with both theoretical and practical activities

This program aims to provide participants the basic knowledge on various aspects of cetacean and marine macrofauna research and the most important coastal monitoring techniques.
Participants will take part in various theoretical and practical activities to improve their familiarity with monitoring ...

Sobre o programa

This program aims to provide participants the basic knowledge on various aspects of cetacean and marine macrofauna research and the most important coastal monitoring techniques.
Participants will take part in various theoretical and practical activities to improve their familiarity with monitoring protocols of coastal environments, ID skills, and photo identification. Interns will be involved 5 days a week, 6-8 hours/day (depending on fieldwork or lab work), also during the weekend if the weather is good.

- Land-based surveys will be conducted when good weather conditions allow. During these activities, the participant will gain familiarity with the protocols of data collection used on the field by researchers and will have the opportunity to contribute to the monitoring of the species within the study area. 

- Boat-based surveyes if the weather and sea conditions allow, participants will be able to take part in a boat-based survey during which they will gain first-hand experience in collecting data on free-ranging cetaceans and improve skills in cetacean boat-based surveys. Fieldwork cannot be guaranteed before due to being weather-dependent. In the weekly program, we cannot guarantee to do fieldwork. The coordinators make every possible effort to switch between field and office work during the week, but this is not always possible due to the weather constraints. It can happen, for example, to go in the field 4 days a week or the opposite, to stay in the office for a whole week

- office work includes transcription of data, data entry on laptop (transcription on Excel forms of all the data collected on the field), photo-id analysis and matching (main activity, organise and analyse the pictures of previous sightings of bottlenose dolphins, organise in subfolders and then match all the individuals with our catalogue of dorsal fins). Classwork duties last no longer than 6 hours a day. Different lessons will be made to the participants (see below details)

The program is highly flexible and with possible last-minute changes due to the changeable weather. The program is not prior scheduled and the activities for the next day are often communicated in the evening (before 21:30). The coordinators make every possible effort to switch between field and office work during the week, but this is not always possible due to weather constraints. It can happen, for example, to go to the field 4 days a week or the opposite, to stay in the office for a whole week.

During their free time, interns will have the opportunity to experience all sorts of activities: swimming, diving, hiking, exploring historical sites, visiting museums, and sailing.  

This program offers the opportunity to students and enthusiasts of this field to gain knowledge on marine biology, particularly on cetaceans, sea birds, and other protected species of conservation value.

At the end of the course, participants will receive a certificate. It will also be possible, for students, to obtain university credits (for this it is necessary to have an agreement with the university). 

GENERAL INFORMATION 

Our Team 
Research and other activities will be conducted by a qualified team, which has more than 10 years of experience in marine fauna research all around the world. Research coordinators will oversee fieldwork and general project coordination, while intern coordinators or research assistants will help in all aspects of the project and coordination of the activity, housekeeping and interns’ responsibilities. 

RESEARCH PROJECT

Project Background
In the Ligurian Sea, bottlenose dolphin has been extensively studied only in the Eastern area, between Genoa and La Spezia, which represents, for a series of features of the seafloor, a perfect habitat for this species. 

On the contrary, in the Western part, no research organization or scientific foundation has conducted studies focused only on bottlenose dolphins because, due to the morphology of the sea bottom, sightings have always been more sporadic than the opposite side. The continental shelf is very narrow and short and high depths (around 2000 m) are reached close to the coast. This makes the area suitable for other cetacean species but not ideal for bottlenose dolphins, which tend to remain in coastal waters. 

Since April 2018, the beginning of our project, we have been demonstrating that this species is regularly present all year round also in this part of the basin with a high occurrence and great numbers. The project is structured on an annual basis, to obtain data not only on the distribution during the Summer but also changes during the different seasons. Data from this study are being used to create a baseline for a long-term project, monitoring bottlenose dolphins in this part of the Ligurian Sea, information needed to suggest and create conservation plans for their protection.

Marine Birds and Other Fauna Research Project
During our surveys, we collect data on the presence of other cetacean species and on several species of marine birds, fishes and sea turtles that can be sighted. Our database of marine fauna provides interesting information about the seasonal presence of Mediterranean shearwaters (Puffinus yelkouan), Scopoli’s shearwaters (Calonectris diomedea), Northern gannets (Morus bassanus), Sandwich terns (Thalasseus sandvicensis), sunfish (Mola mola) among others.

Research Topics 
  • Groups and social structure analysis: to study the interactions and associations between individuals 
  • Abundance: estimation of the local population size 
  • Distribution, occurrence and movements to understand if the animals perform movements and migrations, even seasonal, towards the neighbouring areas. 
  • Identification of hot spots or areas with greater importance. 
  • Identification of the main threats which dolphins may incur and therefore the creation of management and conservation plans for their protection. 
  • Interaction with fisheries 
  • Habitat modelling 
  • Skin lesion 
  • Distribution and occurrence of seabirds, with a focus on seasonal variability. 
  • Sea turtle monitoring (Pilot project on nests) 

Methods and data collection 
The project is a long-term coastal project. Data are collected during dedicated boat-based surveys conducted from a 5.2 m zodiac equipped with a 40 hp outboard engine, based in the port of Imperia, with 4/5 crew members. Surveys are carried out in favourable weather-marine conditions (Beaufort ≤3) around 10 times a month. The main effort is focused on collecting images, which will be used to identify the sighted animals, through the technique of photo-identification. Environmental conditions, marine traffic, geographical locations and dolphins' behavioural data are among the data collected at sea.

The study area and the Pelagos Sanctuary 
The study area, which extends from Capo Noli to the France border, from the coast to the bathymetric of 500m in depth is located in the Ligurian Sea, a basin that shows very particular features, especially in its Western part where it reaches remarkable depths very close to the shore. 

In western Liguria, the continental shelf, which by definition extends from the shore to 200m deep, is little expanded and in a few nautical miles the bottom reaches more than 2500 meters in depth. The continental slope is crossed by many submarine canyons in the area. Other important oceanographic and climate parameters contribute to make this area unique for marine life. 

Thanks to all these features the Ligurian basin is considered to have the highest presence of cetaceans in the whole Mediterranean Sea. For this reason, in 1999, the governments of Italy, France and the Principality of Monaco signed an agreement that sanctions the establishment of a marine protected area, called the International Pelagos Sanctuary. 

The area, which extends for 96,000Km² houses regularly 8 cetacean species: fin whale, sperm whale, striped dolphin, bottlenose dolphin, pilot whale, common dolphin, Risso’s dolphin and Cuvier’s beaked whale. Mobula rays, sea turtles and several marine bird species are regularly present too. 




Dia típico

Fieldwork (5-8 hours):
BOAT-BASED SURVEYS: Interns will help and participate in collecting different kinds of data and actively searching for animals. Usually, a survey lasts from 5 to 8 hours and it is required to use binoculars for the majority of its duration. Fieldwork will help participants to ...

Dia típico

Fieldwork (5-8 hours):
BOAT-BASED SURVEYS: Interns will help and participate in collecting different kinds of data and actively searching for animals. Usually, a survey lasts from 5 to 8 hours and it is required to use binoculars for the majority of its duration. Fieldwork will help participants to gain first-hand experience in collecting data on free-ranging cetaceans and improve skills on cetacean boat-based surveys. Surveys are weather-dependent.

LAND-BASED SURVEYS (2-3 hours):  It consists of the collection of environmental data, marine traffic, and dolphin presence from two different strategic points in Imperia.

Fieldwork can be scheduled at any hour, it can start at sunrise or end at sunset. Surveys are weather-dependent- and our plans can change often even during one single day. Extreme flexibility is therefore an essential prerequisite. Remember that, even though the sighting probability in the Pelagos Sanctuary is very high, the chances of observing marine wildlife at sea are always unpredictable and not always guaranteed.

Office work (6 hours) :
Office work includes a transcription of data, data entry on the laptop (transcription on Excel forms of all the data collected on the field), photo-id analysis and matching (main activity, organising and analysing the pictures of previous sightings of bottlenose dolphins, organising in subfolders and then match all the individuals with our catalogue of dorsal fins).
During the week, lessons about different topics of marine mammals and marine fauna (Biology, ecology, research techniques used in this topic, conservation…) will be given by the coordinators to the interns.

Be aware that in case of bad weather, the fieldwork will not take place, in alternative it will be possible to spend more time doing classwork and/or our Biologists will suggest other activities in the surroundings.

*REMEMBER: land and boat-based surveys cannot be guaranteed as they are dependent on weather conditions. The project coordinator will decide daily if there are favourable sea-weather conditions for these activities to take place. If these activities will not be conducted due to unfavourable weather, they will be replaced by lectures on various aspects of the cetacean research



Actividades em tempo livre

Imperia and the surroundings offer a lot of different activities that interns can do during the free time: swimming, diving, hiking, exploring historical sites, visiting museums, sailing. The coordinators will be happy to suggest you several options according to your personal interests.

Here you cand ...

Actividades em tempo livre

Imperia and the surroundings offer a lot of different activities that interns can do during the free time: swimming, diving, hiking, exploring historical sites, visiting museums, sailing. The coordinators will be happy to suggest you several options according to your personal interests.

Here you cand find some ideas:
  • Oceanographic Museum of Monaco
  • International Naval Museum of Imperia
  • Olive Museum of Imperia
  • Villages of Cervo, Dolcedo, Valloria, Bussana Vecchia just to mention a few
  • The surroundings of Imperia offer several different hiking trails
  • We collaborate with some diving centres for diving activity/courses
  • Beaches and snorkelling spots are close to the centre of Imperia

Requisitos

Requisitos

Idade mínima: 18 anos

Para aderir ao programa é necessário ter pelo menos 18 anos de idade na data de início do programa. Poderá haver excepções se puder fornecer a permissão do(s) seu(s) tutor(es) legal(ais) ou se estiver acompanhado pelos seus pais.

Habilidades linguísticas

Precisa de falar Inglês (nível básico)

Documentos Necessários

Letter of motivation

Restrições de Nacionalidade

Sem restrições. São bem-vindas as mãos que ajudam de todo o mundo.

Outras Competências

Be highly adaptable and flexible as fieldwork is weather-dependent and our plans can change several times in one day. Ability to stand several hours in the sun or cold weather on a small boat. Ability to use binoculars for several hours on a boat Prior experience in cetaceans or boat-based surveys is not required, but preferred. Degree or on-going studies in biology, natural science, veterinary or similar (preferred). Strong motivation and interest in cetaceans and research. Able to swim

Serviços incluídos

Serviços incluídos

Serviços por Delfini del Ponente

What is included:
- Accommodation
- Lectures
- Practical activities both on land and at sea
- Material used (form for data collection, binoculars….)
- Scientific supervision during all of the activities
- Membership to the Delfini del Ponente APS, comprehensive of insurance
coverage that is a requirement for the field activities
- Certificate of attendance

Alojamento

To facilitate interns, we will provide accommodation in an apartment very close to the office and to the harbour. The flat is composed of a spacious living/dining room with a double sofa bed, a kitchen, 2 toilets and 2 bedrooms (one with two separate single beds and one, generally for the intern coordinator, with a double bed). 


It is furnished with a washing machine and a dishwasher. Interns are responsible for their own food preparation, cleaning and house duties. Interns are expected to take care of the apartment and leave it in the same conditions as they found it. Interns must be aware of the presence of only one bedroom that will have to be shared by the 2 participants.

Smoking is not allowed inside the apartment

Acesso à Internet

Bom acesso no local do projecto

O que NÃO está incluído?

O que NÃO está incluído?

Recepção no aeroporto em Cote D'Azur Airport

Uma recolha no aeroporto também não está incluída nas taxas do programa.

Alimentos e Bebidas

Alimentos, lanches ou bebidas têm custos adicionais.

Bilhetes de avião

O aeroporto mais próximo é Cote D'Azur Airport (NCE) em Nice. Ajudamo-lo a encontrar voos baratos para Itália. ENCONTRAR VOOS BARATOS

Seguro de viagem

Ir para o estrangeiro é uma aventura e é sempre melhor estar preparado. Doença ou lesão súbita, cancelamento ou roubo - um seguro de viagem para Itália proporciona segurança e é uma vantagem a ter. OBTENHA UMA COTAÇÃO

Vacinas

Se pretende ser voluntário em Itália deve procurar aconselhamento médico antes de iniciar a sua viagem social. Verifique as vacinas necessárias para Itália. VERIFICADOR DE VACINAS

Detalhes à chegada

Availability for 2025

5-11 May 

19-25 May

26-31 May 

1-7 November




Disponibilidade
Jan Feb Março Abril Maio Jun Jul Ago Set Out Nov Dez

Preços do programa

1 semana (estadia min.) 550€
2 semanas 890€
2 semanas 1 dia (estadia máx.) 930€
Preços médios 492€/semana

Preços do programa

492€ por semana 1 - 2 semanas Idade 18 - 50+

Métodos de Pagamento

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

SEM TAXAS DE CARTÃO DE CRÉDITO


Duração

1 - 2 semanas

Depósito

O depósito é simplesmente para reservar a sua colocação como voluntário. Os pagamentos são tratados pelo PayPal, o nosso fornecedor de pagamento global de confiança. Se não tiver uma conta PayPal, também pode pagar usando um cartão de crédito.


Pagamento final

O teu pagamento final será acordado com Delfini del Ponente durante o processo de candidatura. As soluções comuns são ou através de transferência bancária ou pagamento em dinheiro no local do projecto.


Conheça seu anfitrião

Delfini del Ponente

Extraordinário 4.9 rating (27 revisões)

Non-profit - fundada em 2020

Verificado por Volunteer World

  taxa de resposta muito elevada

Hospedado por

davide

Sobre o projecto

Research project aiming to assess the presence of bottlenose dolphins in the Western Ligurian Sea. The project includes a field and a lab part.

Conheça seu anfitrião

The aim of the Project is to understand what is behind an important change perceived by fishermen, whale watching companies and yatchsmen: an increase in common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) sightings in the Western Liguria. The area is historically known as a not-ideal habitat for these dolphins that prefer sandy and shallow waters, and encounters have always been sporadic. Somehow, a different trend has started and bottlenose dolphins seems to be a much more regular to spot.

What caused this change? How many dolphins inhabit the area? What kind of threats are facing in the very busy western Ligurian coast?

There is only one way to uncover these important questions: go out at sea, collect data on dolphins’ presence and distribution and then analyse them!

For this reason, we started the very first research project on bottlenose dolphins in our area! We plan to go out at sea 10-15 times per month for a year collecting data, and then if successful, to continue this project long-term. We take photos of the dolphins sighted using a technique known as ‘photo-identification’ that enables us to follow the animals’ movements and estimate how many they are. These missing information, are essential to make conservation plans to protect these dolphins that, living close to the coast, are very susceptible to the human presence (plastic ingestion, collision with boats, entanglement in fishing gear).

27 revisões · rating4.9

Lara Schmitz rating5

2024 at Cetaceans and Coastal Monitoring Week

I had the opportunity to spend two months with Delfini del Ponente as part of my studies. During this time, I was able to gain hands-on experience in both fieldwork and office work, which provided a great insight into research and will be helpful for my future career. Not only did I learn to collect ...
One of my favorite internships I have done to this day. The food, the city, the people were all absolutely amazing! The work was out of this world interesting. Remember this is field research not everything is going to go as expected but if you are looking for a great study abroad internship you ...
Matej Turcin rating4.8

2024 at Cetaceans and Coastal Monitoring Week

I have stayed with Delfini de Ponente only for a week, but in that time I have experienced a lot of new things and have learned a lot. For the program part I have mainly done office work, since the weather conditions were not ideal during my short stay. Still, the lectures I attended and the work I ...
Nora Roßbach rating4.8

2024 at Cetaceans and Coastal Monitoring Week

I'm Nora from Germany and I was an intern at Delfini del Ponente in Imperia for October. I gained a great knowledge of the lifestyle, characteristics and threats of cetaceans, sea turtles and marine birds. Living in Imperia was a dream because of the beautiful Ligurian atmosphere, pizza and of ...
Zoe Neary Ussher rating5

2024 at Dolphin Conservation Internship

I had such a wonderful time on my internship with Delfini Del Ponente. It was so magical to be working on the field and super educational. I loved every minute of my internship and feel that I learnt a lot. The team were great and everyone is super friendly and welcoming. There was a wide range of ...
Nora Elisabeth Roßbach rating4.8

2024 at Dolphin Conservation Internship

I'm Nora from Jena in Germany. I was an intern at the organisation Delfini del Ponente in October and want to share my experience with you :) I gained a great knowledge of the lifestyle, characteristic and threats of cetaceans, sea turtles and marine birds and had the opportunity to see dolphins ...

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