Description

The Whale Shark Conservation Project aims to monitor: whale shark and manta ray population numbers and behaviour; loggerhead turtle nesting activity; and coral reef condition, in order to make recommendations for improving the conservation of marine biodiversity. It involves field data collection via the following means: beach walks; boat surveys; swims and dives on the coastline of Mozambique around Tofo. It also involves assisting with tourist education, and general welcoming of tourists to the area and basic interpretation. The project involves collaboration with the Whale Shark and Manta Ray Research Trust and Tofo Scuba, both based at Tofo, as well as the Natural History Museum of Mozambique, based in Maputo, and a number of international marine research bodies.

The second component of the project involves research on whale sharks. These are the world's largest fish and, although they are part of the shark family, are harmless to humans as they feed on plankton. Whale sharks are a threatened species and are relatively easy to monitor owing to their large size. They are also good indicators of ocean health / productivity, and play a flagship role for the conservation of other marine creatures.

The third aspect of the project is the monitoring of the nesting activity of loggerhead and leatherback turtles. Their nesting sites are becoming increasingly threatened by human activity along the beaches and there is also hunting of adult turtles occurring as they lay their eggs.

Highlights

This volunteer project in Africa includes: Marine Wildlife Conservation - Whale Shark & Turtle Research - Scuba Diving, Tofo

* Dive course - a 4-day, internationally recognized open-water scuba diving course
* Reef transect dives - scuba diving along line transects, above the reef to record coral condition, benthic cover and indicator species
* Boat surveys - to locate and snorkel with whale sharks, record their position, photograph them for identification of individuals, and estimate their population numbers
* Beach observation to:
* locate whale pods, record their position and estimate their population numbers
* locate and record turtle nest sites (during laying season)
* visit turtle nest sites and record hatching success (during hatching season)
* record fishing catch quantities and species
* assess levels of beach traffic
* Awareness and education - generate awareness about the conservation of whales harks and manta rays, and to develop educational materials for this purpose.

Qualifications

Minimum 18 years, maximum decided on potential participants' health

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

4 weeks - 3590; 6 weeks - 4290, 8 weeks - 4990

Cost Includes:

• Excursions
• Food
• Housing
• Travel while in host country

Program Fees Include:

* Project Fee: this entails financing that goes directly back into the project that you are involved with. This project fee facilitates funding for items such as research materials, equipment, project facilitation and development, etc.
* 4 - 6 day PADI open-water diving course when you arrive at the project base in Mozambique (the duration of this course is weather-dependent)
* Full board and lodging which includes 3 meals a day, which you prepare together with other volunteers
* Assistance in your projects by staff and volunteer coordinators and full support from African Impact project managers and coordinators throughout your time on your placement
* Comprehensive orientation on arrival

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Age Range

Minimum 18 years, maximum decided on potential participants' health.

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Group living

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Typically The Application Process Time is

2 working days

Year Founded

2004