Description

The O.R.C.A. Marine Foundation gives volunteers the chance to become part of one of the worlds most successful ocean research teams. Gap year travel does not get much more exciting than this!

Over the past 2 years the O.R.C.A. team have strived to turn Plettenberg Bay into a protected Ocean Marine Park. During your 4 week stay at the foundation you will become part of the O.R.C.A. family and help and assist in their long term projects and goals. Southern Right whale breaching the waters surface only meters from the research boat you stand on? Or kayak across the calm waters of the Indian Ocean with hundreds of common dolphins swimming and playing along side your every paddle. Either way, it will be an experience you will never forget!

Highlights

Work may involve the following:

* Involvement in community development programmes for previously disadvantaged communities (e.g. Qolweni preschool and creche)

* Participation in a broad range of educational initiatives involving the local community: educating school children on conservation principals and helping spread the word of the O.R.C.A. Foundation, (please note some of the students may not be able to speak or understand English)

* Organising co-ordinated provincial marine and coastal awareness campaigns
(e.g. National Environment Week, National Marine Week, Youth Day)

* Participating in commercial marine-eco tourism activities, which include whale and dolphin watching tours, sea kayaking, township tours,(many water activities are complimentary of ORCA Marine Foundation). The objective being to stimulate guests awareness of and interest in the marine environment and the realistic, holistic conservation thereof through a commercial eco-tourism project that actually works (winner of the Green Trust Award)
* Monitoring and cleaning of beaches and coastal regions

* Maintenance and cleaning of fish tanks at the ORCA education centre (on a daily basis).

* Conducting research surveys:

* Angling surveys within the surrounding estuary and coastline

* Sampling, tagging, monitoring and dissection of fish species

* O.R.C.A. research vessel trips to collect data, monitor the bay and take photos of whales, dolphins and other marine species

* Rescue and rehabilitation of marine species

Marine conservation volunteer work at the O.R.C.A. Foundation will also include being involved in theoretical and practical lectures including:

Section 1 - ORCA Foundation
Section 2 - Conservation Program
Section 3 - Marine Biodiversity
Section 4 - Marine Pollution
Section 5 - River/Estuary Sampling
Section 6 -River Mouth Survey
Section 7 - Aquarium Activities
Section 8 - Sea Fishes Monitoring
Section 9 - Beaches/Rocky shores
Section 10 - Fynbos and Local Flora and Fauna
Section 11 - River and Estuary Biodiversity
Section 12 - Planet Green Ocean Blue
Section 13 - Outdoor Classroom
Section 14 - Cultural Upliftment Program
Section 15 - For Your Information

* Marine Guiding Course
Your course will include lectures and practical work in the following areas:

Section 1 - South African tourism and guiding
Section 2 - History of Plettenberg Bay
Section 3 - Marine Ecology
Section 4 - Whales
Section 5 - Dolphins
Section 6 - Whale Watching Regulations
Section 7 - Seals and Seabirds
Section 8 - Safety at Sea

* Competent Crew for Power boating Course
Your course will include lectures and practical work in the following areas:

Introduction
Chapter One Terminology
Chapter Two Duties of a Crew
Chapter Three Equipment
Chapter Four Motors
Chapter Five Rules of the Road
Chapter Six General Stewardship
Chapter Seven Responsibilities
Chapter Eight Radio Procedures
Chapter Nine Emergencies
Chapter Ten Weather, Environment/Pollution
Chapter Eleven First Aid

Qualifications

No qualifications required.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

1,499 - 3,449 GBP

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support

Program Fees Include:

- Transfers (Airport to reserves)
- All accommodation for duration of stay (Double room, sharing basis)
- All Meals on reserves placement

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

All of our experiences have been carefully selected to benefit individual volunteers as well as the placement that they attend. A typical volunteer is normally a young traveler who wants to put some thing back with their travels.

Age Range

18 plus

This Program is open to

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

Typical Living Arrangements

• Group living

Participants Travel

in Groups

Typically Participants Work

in Groups of 4

Application Process Involves

• Phone/Video Interview
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

1 Week

Worldwide Experience's Mission Statement

Worldwide Experience strives to conserve what man is fast destroying- our own environment. We support conservation and community projects through the recruitment of volunteers from around the world to help work on these diverse, and worthwhile projects. If you are thinking of taking a Gap Year or even just want to get away for your summer break Worldwide Experience will have the placement to suit you. From 2 weeks-3 months, we have projects in South Africa, Namibia, Kenya and Sri Lanka, and our experienced team will help place you on a project that will suit your needs the most. Moreover, all the programmes have been set up with the needs and requirements of the placement in mind. This means that whether you're helping to dart a lion, track a cheetah, ID an elephant or teach a class of children, you are making a difference through your work there. Your safety is also in the forefront of our minds, and as a fully bonded tour operator, all volunteers booked to travel through us will be protected by bonding, as required by ABTA and ATOL. We can also organise all flights direct from our UK office.

Year Founded

2003