Sea Watch Foundation Wales
2005 Marine Research and Education Volunteer Opportunities
The Sea Watch Foundation (SFW) is a registered charity that aims to achieve
better conservation of whales and dolphins in the seas around Britain and
Ireland, by involving the public in scientific monitoring of populations and
the threats they face, and by the regular production of material to educate,
inform and lobby for better environmental protection.
At SWF Wales we are dedicated to raising awareness, knowledge and
conservation of the marine wildlife of Cardigan Bay, Wales through research
and education.
The main purpose of our research is to monitor the marine mammal populations
found within Cardigan Bay’s candidate Special Area for Conservation (cSAC).
We further aim to enhance awareness and understanding of the importance of
the local marine wildlife and the habitats supporting them, to encourage
respect and conservation of the area and its wildlife for future
generations. This is carried out through a school education programme, the
production of interpretational materials and conducting public awareness
initiatives. Our work is mainly funded by the Countryside Council for
Wales.
Volunteers are required from mid April until mid October 2004, with a
minimum commitment of 4 weeks. Preference will be given to those who can
stay for the whole 6 month period. Volunteers would be based in New Quay,
west Wales and it is possible to obtain part time work in the area if
required. We can help to arrange accommodation for all volunteers (approx.
40 - 50GBP per week). Volunteers are responsible for their own travel,
accommodation and living expenses.
We require research and education volunteers to assist with the various
projects taking place this season.
Research volunteers will assist collecting and handling data for one or more
of the following projects:
- A land based study of the bottlenose dolphins and the boat traffic in New
Quay Bay.
- Boat-based distance sampling surveys for estimating abundance of
bottlenose dolphins, harbour porpoise and grey seals.
- Boat-based opportunistic surveys from dolphin-watching trips.
- Photo identification of bottlenose dolphins.
- Sound recordings of bottlenose dolphins.
- Monitoring bottlenose dolphins and harbour porpoises using T-PODs combined
with visual observations.
In addition the volunteers may assist in other on-going projects connected
to our office.
Special skills are not mandatory, but experience working with marine
mammals, especially from fields related to our projects, is an advantage.
The Main tasks of the education volunteers will include:
- Updating sightings records from land and boat based surveys.
- Talk to the public on the pier of New Quay about the marine wildlife in
the area and the work being conducted.
- Assist with school visits, talks and awareness raising events.
- Assist with the research and production of education and interpretational
materials.
- The opportunity to participate in boat and land based fieldwork.
Important skills/qualifications for the education volunteers:
- A background in marine biology/environmental science etc is desirable.
- A background in environmental education and experience working with
children is desirable to assist with the education programme.
- A strong interest and knowledge of British cetaceans would be an
advantage.
- Excellent verbal and written communication.
- Experience working with the public.
- Public speaking and IT skills would be useful.
- A willingness to work in a conscientious and reliable manner.
- Enthusiastic and hard working.
To apply:
Please send a CV and covering letter (detailing whether you want to work
with education or research, relevant experience and specifying when in the
season you are available and for what length of time) to:
Helen Bates (education volunteers) or Fernando Ugarte and Malene Simon
(research volunteers)
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Or:
Sea Watch Foundation
Paragon House
Wellington Place
New Quay, Ceredigion
SA45 9NP, Wales, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1545 561227
Best wishes,
Helen, Malene and Fernando
We will attend the next conference of the European Cetacean Society, with
the following presentations:
Lamb, J. and Ugarte, F.: The use of visual and acoustic surveys to
investigate the effects of boat traffic and environmental variables in the
presence of bottlenose dolphins in New Quay Bay, Wales
Lott, R., Stone, E., Perez, S., Hartley, S., Evans, P.G.H. and Ugarte, F.
Social structure of bottlenose dolphins in Cardigan Bay, Wales
Perez, S., Lott, R., Stone, E., Luque, P., Hartley, S., Evans, P., Baines,
M., Reichelt, M., Baxter, J. and Ugarte, F. Long term site fidelity of
bottlenose dolphins in Cardigan Bay, Wales
Simon, M., Wahlberg, M., Ugarte, F., McGregor, P. K. and Miller, L. Sounds
of killer whales hunting herring.
Ugarte, F., Felce, T., Stone, E., Perez, S., Hartley, S. and Evans, P.G.H.
Abundance of marine mammals in the Cardigan Bay cSAC estimated with distance
sampling and photo identification surveys from a small boat.
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