Call for Marine Mammal Research Interns in Kep, Cambodia. Marine Conservation Cambodia (MCC) is an NGO based on the island of Koh Ach Seh, in Cambodia's Kep Archipelago. The organisation has many facets, including working to stop illegal fishing practices, ecological and social science research and collecting data to use in the implementation of conservation legislation. In September 2017, MCC introduced The Cambodian Marine Mammal Conservation Project, in collaboration with the Royal Government of Cambodia’s Fisheries Administration. The project's primary aim is to collect data on abundance, distribution and residency to delineate and protect critical habitats for the endangered Irrawaddy dolphin in Cambodia's Kep Archipelago. At present, we are looking for marine mammal research interns to join the team between May and September 2019. Project activities: - a minimum of 3 observational land surveys per week using a Theodolite and Pythagoras software; - a minimum of 1 observational boat survey per week; - photo-identification techniques using Discovery software; - passive acoustic monitoring using a C-POD and CPOD.exe software; - social science techniques; - data entry, processing and analysis; - education and outreach; - marine mammal stranding network; - scientific writing for peer-reviewed journals and government reports; - designing marine mammal legislation. Basic internship training schedule Session 1: Introduction to MCC and The Cambodian Marine Mammal Conservation Project. Session 2: Research method training on observational land and boat surveying techniques. Session 3: Marine mammal identification and behaviour training. Session 4: Marine vessel identification training. Session 5: Data sheet and data entry training. Session 6: Drone footage analysis training. Session 7: Research techniques theory test, followed by feedback and debrief. Session 8: Theodolite and Pythagoras introduction and training. You will also become involved in other project related activities, depending on your interest, skill set and length of stay. Internship requirements: We are looking for dedicated, motivated and hard-working interns, able to commit for a minimum internship period of one month. We are looking for those who will commit to early mornings and late nights, with a keen interest in marine mammals and their conservation. Ideally, we are looking for university students or recent graduates. Project site description: The project is based on the island of Koh Ach Seh, a 40-minute boat trip from Kep Town, Cambodia. The island is inhabited only by MCC, a team made up of a mixture of interdisciplinary international and local staff. The accommodation and facilities on the island are basic but well-maintained. You will be in shared and catered accommodation with fellow interns and staff members. All project related resources are provided. Application process and fees: There is a fee associated with this internship, which covers the following: - all food, water, accommodation; - transport to and from the mainland to the project island; - marine mammal research training; - scuba diving (if qualified); - and the opportunity to get involved in activities and training at MCC, such as seahorse research or artificial reef management. If you are interested in this internship and would like to know more, please email Sarah Tubbs at cambodiadolphinproject@gmail.com