Kaya Environmental Volunteering in Belize

Save to Favorites

Marine Conservation in Belize with PADI Certification

Volunteer in Latin America and learn about marine conservation in Belize with PADI certification. You will gain an internationally recognised diving qualification and help improve the habitats of marine wildlife. Based on a tiny private island in the Sapodilla Cayes, off the coast of Placencia, this award winning marine conservation project has worked in conjunction with the fisheries department for the past 7 years researching issues affecting the world’s second largest coral reef.

Focusing on the invasion of alien Lion Fish to the Belizean waters, as well as monitoring Lobster populations, Conch migration, coral health, fish species and whale shark identification, volunteers have a great deal of work to do in the blue waters of the Caribbean. The Lion Fish, an Asian species with no natural predators in the Caribbean were thought to have been released in Florida in the 90’s. Now with a population as dense as 1,000 per acre in some areas, they are decimating the Belizean reef. One lionfish in an area has been found to decrease the juvenile fish population by 80% in just 5 weeks!

The main activities of the project are focused on reducing the Lion Fish population through spearfishing, encouraging locals to catch them for food and to teach moray eels to hunt them. All research information gathered is provided to the fisheries department where important decisions rely on the data. Photography is a key aspect of this documentation. Join this exciting project and play an active role in the eradication of invasive species, as well as gaining your PADI.

Marine Conservation Internship in Belize

Based on a tiny private island in the sapodilla Cayes, you can join our marine conservation internship in Belize. Just off the coast of Punta Gorda, this marine conservation project works in conjunction with the fisheries department researching issues affecting the world’s second largest coral reef. Focusing on the invasion of alien Lion Fish to the Belizean waters, as well as monitoring Lobster populations, Conch migration, coral health, fish species and whale shark identification,

This internship works alongside the project leaders to prepare reports with the data collected by volunteers, liaise with the fisheries departments and local fishermen looking at sustainable fishing practices and conduct educational sessions for tourists and locals. This internship will give you an invaluable insight into marine conservation while enjoying living on a caribbean island.

Family Volunteering: Coral Reef Conservation with dive certification in Belize

For an active and educational experience, a marine conservation project is an exhilarating choice for the whole family. The chance to contribute to a well established project collecting valuable information and carrying out much needed activities in the world’s second largest coral reef, as well as receiving diving tuition from trained professionals is an opportunity not to be missed.
If marine life and the secrets of the deep have always been an interest to you, the chance to learn how to identify species, about the ecosystems and how to dissect fish will give you a great insight into life under the water. Having been established for 7 years, working in conjunction with the fisheries departments, the main aim of this project is to control the population of Lionfish in the area. Although beautiful the Lionfish is alien to Caribbean waters, having been introduced by an aquarium flood in Florida in the 90’s. With no natural predators, they have decimated the pelagic fish population in the reef and are extremely harmful to the ecosystem. The project aim to teach locals to use them for food, they have even gotten them onto the menu of several eateries around town. There is plenty other work to do, including monitoring Lobster populations, Conch migration, coral health, fish species and whale shark identification.

As volunteers you will spend Monday to Friday on the island, generally diving 3 times a day. Weekends are spent back on land, relaxing and enjoying Caribbean life. International Open Water qualifications are achievable for adults and a Bubblemakers course exists for 8-12 year olds.