Hi everyone, on behalf of the Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute BDRI (www.thebdri.com), a marine science and education centre, I am pleased to announce that our centre is currently accepting volunteer applications. The volunteers will participate in our research program along the north-eastern coast of Sardinia, focusing on the study of bottlenose dolphins communication and behaviour. This research program is accessible to everyone older than 18 years old. If you have 6 days or more to spend, we can offer you an unforgettable experience where you can learn and at the same time contribute to dolphins research and conservation. Volunteers will assist researchers onboard during field work; helping to locate and keep track of cetaceans, recording behavioural data, environmental information and recording sounds, video or taking photos. Benefits and advantages of the program: - Travel and explore new places - Get involved in marine mammals research - Gain fieldwork experience - Learn to use different research instruments: GPS, Hydrophone, Secchi disk, digital SLR camera, sonar, camcorder, anemometer, compass, etc. - Help advance our knowledge of cetaceans to improve their conservation - Meet interesting people - Enjoy the outdoors of the beautiful Emerald Coast (Sardinia Island, Italy) - Enjoy the culinary talents of others and express your own. Comfortable housing (private and double rooms), with shared cooking and bathroom facilities are provided. There is no deadline to apply. However, approved applications are accepted on a first-come, first serve basis. Apply early! Positions are open until filled. Please download the Volunteer opportunities general information at: http://www.thebdri.com/resources/downloads/volunteers.pdf Further information can be found on our website (www.thebdri.com), on our Facebook page, or by e-mail at info@thebdri.com Selected scientific publications by BDRI: 1. Díaz López B., 2011. Whistle characteristics in free-ranging bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Mediterranean Sea: influence of behaviour. Mammalian Biology Mammalian Biology 76:180-1892. Díaz López B. & Shirai, J.A.B., 2009. Mediterranean common bottlenose dolphin's repertoire and communication use. In: Dolphins: Anatomy, Behavior, and Threats, A.G: Pierce & L. Correa (Eds.), Nova Science Publishers, New York. 3. Diaz Lopez B., 2009. The bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus foraging around a fish farm: Effects of prey abundance on dolphins' behaviour. Current Zoology (Acta Zoologica Sinica) 55(4):243-248.4. Diaz Lopez B., Bunke, M. and Shirai, J.A., 2008. Marine aquaculture off Sardinia Island (Italy): ecosystem effects evaluated through a trophic mass-balance model. Ecological Modelling 212: 292-303.5. Diaz Lopez, B., Shirai, J.A.; Bilbao Prieto, A. & Mendez Fernandez, P., 2008. Diving activity of a solitary wild free ranging bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). Journal of Marine Biological Association U.K. 88(6): 1153-1157.6. Diaz Lopez B. and Shirai, J.A., 2008. Marine aquaculture and bottlenose dolphins social structure. Behavioural Ecology and Sociobiology 62(6): 887-894.7. Diaz Lopez B. and Shirai, J.A., 2007. "Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) presence and incidental capture in a marine fish farm on the noth-eastern coast of Sardinia (Italy)" Journal of Marine Biological Association U.K, 87, 113-117.8. Diaz Lopez, B., 2006. "Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) Predation on a Marine Fin Fish Farm: Some Underwater Observations". Aquatic Mammals 32(3): 305 - 310 pp.9. Diaz Lopez, B., 2006. Interactions between Mediterranean bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and gillnets off Sardinia. ICES Journal of Marine Science 63:944-951 pp.10. Diaz Lopez, B., Marini, L., Polo, F., 2005. The impact of a fish farm on a bottlenose dolphin population in the Mediterranean Sea. Thalassas 2005, 21(2): 53-58. Bruno Diaz Lopez Chief Researcher / Marine Zoologist Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute BDRI V.Armando Diaz Nº4 07020 Golfo Aranci (SS) Italy www.thebdri.com info@thebdri.com tel.+ 39 346 081 5414 tel. + 0789 183 1197