Dolphin Research Volunteer, Greece

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Take part in dolphin research as a marine conservation volunteer in the Ionian Sea. The project focuses on Bottlenose Dolphin and the Short-Beaked Common Dolphin, in the Amvrakikos Gulf and the Inner Ionian Sea archipelago, helping to provide a long-term viability for the species.

As a volunteer you can help with some of the following activities:

• Monitoring dolphins within the research area through the use of specific surveying techniques,
• Dolphin photo-identification, used to identify individual dolphins and their traits, in an attempt to fully understand how expansive and diverse local dolphin populations are,
• Recording dolphin behaviour and group sizes, in addition to how different groups interact - data is logged with GIS software,
• Collection of data regarding other marine species such as sea turtle, tuna, swordfish and seabirds - data which gives the project scientists knowledge of how the area is faring in a broader context,
• Inspection of dead dolphins in order to understand cause of death, as well as to collect biological and genetic data that can help to enhance further investigatory projects
• Assessment of how local dolphins interact with local fisheries, and how their interaction can fuel positive change in the area for the marine environment

All dolphin research volunteers are expected to be comfortable with spending many hours at sea , whilst also being exposed to the sun for long periods given there are no shaded areas. Those prone to heatstroke and sunburn may therefore not find this project to be fully suitable. Volunteers are also required to be able to swim for safety reasons and must not weigh more than 120kg to ensure the boat remains balanced. The work is also fast paced and there is generally a lot of data for volunteers to note down, therefore volunteers must be able to stay alert continually throughout the boat journeys.