Description

Cambodia is a great country for volunteering on a marine conservation project. Our pioneering conservation and research activities are at the forefront of protecting and researching Cambodia's diverse marine environment. Located on the tropical Gulf of Thailand, Cambodia has pristine uninhabited islands and over 400km of coastline. The project is the first of its kind in Cambodia and supplies the Cambodian Fisheries administration with much needed data to help in their marine conservation efforts.

The Conservation Project base is situated on the beautiful and peaceful island of Koh Rong Samleom, a two hour boat ride from the lively coastal town of Sihanoukville. The island is home to a small fishing village and has stunning beaches and a lush jungle. Most of Cambodia's best dive sites are close by, including rare seahorse breeding grounds. However, due to illegal fishing the population is rapidly decreasing. The protection of seahorses was the reason the whole project began and now we are seeing success in their protection while learning a lot about their habitats and behavior.

Thanks to the work already carried out, the area around Koh Rong Samleom is now the largest patrolled marine conservation area in Cambodia and is officially recognized by the Cambodian Fisheries Administration. In January 2011 this collaboration was confirmed by the signing of a Collaborative Marine Conservation Agreement with the Department of Fisheries Conservation of Fisheries Administration.

In addition to our regular surveys, we conduct specific video and photographic seahorse surveys. On some of these dives we have been lucky enough to watch their beautiful courting rituals and even see them giving birth.

The last few years in Cambodia have seen a significant growth in tourism and development in the coastal towns and it is vital to protect the marine environment threatened by these changes. The relevant departments involved have limited resources to conduct scientific research and protect the marine environment. As a result, further decline of Cambodia's marine resources is expected. Your help is needed to protect one of the last undeveloped marine areas in South East Asia!

Another problem has arisen from intensive fishing through unsustainable means and encroachment by fisherman on coastal reefs and breeding grounds. This is threatening the biodiversity and health of many species and habitats. The Conservation Project in Cambodia aims to address these issues and offer comprehensive protection for biodiversity and establish new protected sites.

Join our Conservation & Environment project in Cambodia and one of the first things you'll learn is how to scuba dive in the clear warm waters of the Gulf of Thailand. We will train you up to the level of Advanced Scuba Diver, which helps you learn the theoretical and practical aspects of diving. As an Advanced Scuba diver, you're allowed to dive to depths of 30m and can participate fully in the underwater conservation work.

Our Diving operation, Diving 4 Conservation, is fully operational in all aspects of the scientific data collection, conservation, protection projects and is staffed by highly trained dive masters and scuba instructors with many years experience in South East Asian waters

* Diving Related Projects

The diving-related conservation work focuses on both marine surveys and salvage diving. The investigative survey projects include seahorse surveys including video and photographic behavioral and ID studies, coral & fish biodiversity surveys, and habitat & mapping surveys.

Volunteers will be taught to understand the terminology, procedures, and methodology of reef and coral surveys and will conduct scientific studies on several active research projects alongside our scientifically trained staff. The seahorse survey results are sent regularly to Project Seahorse and all the survey information is presented each month to the Fisheries Department, which is important to conserve the status of the protected marine conservation area. New projects are constantly being developed and new ideas are always welcome. This is ideal for any volunteers who are studying marine biology or those who may have a specific plan of research that they wish to pursue.

The salvage dives involve collecting debris and garbage from the reef. This may involve cutting free a snagged fishing net or simply bringing discarded items to the surface, from old clothing to a wellington boot!

Highlights

We work in close cooperation with the local village on the island and volunteers can get involved in important community work which includes environmental awareness activities with local children such as beach clean-ups and education classes. Volunteers can also assist with running a youth center and library for the local children. There is the opportunity to help teach English classes at the village school and you could combine Teaching and Conservation projects if you wished. We may also sometimes be asked by the villagers to help with practical tasks like clearing the school grounds, building an incinerator, or helping with the vegetable plots.

Since May 2010 volunteers have also been working on two specific programs with the villagers: Waste Management and Coastal Management. The waste management project involves forming specific waste management plans for the community, including research into what waste is produced and how it is disposed of and plans to create a landfill site and build a new incinerator. The Coastal Management project is looking at how the villagers use the coastal resources around them and involves the community in workshops and meetings to discuss how best to conserve these resources.

A health clinic has been set up on the island and is often run by a volunteer doctor or healthcare specialist. Any volunteers with medical experience or first aid skills can help with this work.

Intern Types

• Environmental Studies
• Environmental Management
• Ecology
• Marine Science

Type of Programs

• Community Service / Volunteerism

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

Please go to our website for prices.

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing
• In-country staff support
• Medical insurance
• Registration fees
• Travel while in host country
• Written materials abroad

Program Fees Include:

- accommodation
- food
- medical and travel insurance
- placement
- 24 hour in country staff support
- airport transfers

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

• Conservation
• Environment
• Volunteering
• Water

Age Range

16 and up

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Apartment/Flat

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Typically The Application Process Time is

10 days

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad

Projects Abroad's Mission Statement

As part of the global economy, Projects Abroad helps create local employment wherever we send volunteers. Employing local staff overseas and using their talents and knowledge is important to us. This local knowledge and support enables the organization to channel the skills of the volunteers from more affluent countries to regions around the world where they are needed. Volunteers also learn from their placements and the people they meet, and they gain experience in a chosen field. In the 21st century, we believe this mutual respect is what cultural exchange is all about.

Year Founded

1992