BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN PHOTO-ID VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED Opportunities for Volunteering in association with the Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre, New Quay, West Wales 2006. For more information please visit our website <http://www.cbmwc.org/> www.cbmwc.org. Our 2005 Bottlenose dolphin photo-identification catalogue can be found on our website, (http://www.cbmwc.org/current_res/photo-idcatalogue.htm). We are recruiting willing volunteers to assist with our ongoing research and education programmes concerning the marine wildlife of Cardigan Bay, primarily the bottlenose dolphins (photo-identification), harbour porpoise and Atlantic grey seals. Volunteers are needed from mid April until mid October 2006. Undergraduate and postgraduate student research projects can be supported with boat time and office space. Please contact us to discuss feasible projects email: info@cbmwc.org. We support non-invasive and non-disruptive research. About the Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre (Est.1996): The Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre, based in New Quay, West Wales is a non-profit organisation run by a group dedicated to working for and in the interest of Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre. The group is part of and affiliated to the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales. Our headquarters are located in the heart of New Quay in a heritage building overlooking the beautiful beach and harbour. This facility is a valuable and important marine wildlife and conservation asset, which is used for interpretation, education and research and furthermore acts as a focal point of interest and reference for visitors to the area. The Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre is dedicated to promoting public awareness of the marine species, habitats and conservation of the marine wildlife in Cardigan Bay through research and education. It is also dedicated to forming links and working with established marine conservation and research groups to set up specific projects and new initiatives both within and outside the local area. The primary purpose of our ongoing research, supported by Environment Wales and the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales, is to monitor the marine mammal populations found within Cardigan Bay's Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and beyond. We endeavour to raise awareness and understanding of the importance of the local marine wildlife and habitats, to encourage respect and conservation of these important entities and to ensure the long term well-being of these animals and the local marine environment. Our intention is to establish an enduring and stimulating education programme for all. We also aim to provide interpretational materials on the species and habitats in Cardigan Bay and to conduct public awareness initiatives. This is a fantastic opportunity for volunteers to make a positive contribution to marine wildlife research, to gain knowledge and experience of the species and habitats in Cardigan Bay and of public awareness and education programmes. Volunteers will be involved in the following: Shorter Term Posts Research & Education Assistant Boat Based Work * Assist with boat based photo identification surveys. * Assist with collection of data on marine mammals & other wildlife in Cardigan Bay * Act as a marine mammal "lookout". * Educate passengers about the wildlife in Cardigan Bay. * Assist with other ongoing projects at our centre including opportunistic jellyfish surveys and sunfish surveys amongst others. * Help crew research vessel, Sulaire. Land-based work * Assist with the day-to-day operation of our Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife visitor centre, including staffing the front desk, taking boat bookings and answering enquiries. * Advise visitors to the centre and the public about the Marine Wildlife in Cardigan Bay and the work that is being conducted. * Help develop the facilities at the Marine Wildlife Centre. * Creation and regular updating of our website pages with sightings and other information. * Conduct land based surveys from New Quay in conjunction with Ceredigion County Council. * Record sightings information, update sightings boards in our centre and central database with information gained from our boat and land based research surveys. * Assist with analysis & cataloguing of photo identification of the bottlenose dolphins. * Assist with research and production of our education programme and interpretational materials. * Develop ideas for refurbishment of the CBMWC, what materials etc. could be displayed in the centre, including interactive materials, touch tanks, interpretation boards etc. * Develop ideas for articles for other publications including CBMWC newsletter & website. * Train new volunteers in collection of data and survey work. * Help develop Fundraising ideas Desired skills/qualifications: * Fluency in English (essential). * Willingness to work in a conscientious, responsible and reliable manner. * Enthusiastic and hard working. * An interest in wildlife and conservation. * An interest and knowledge of British cetaceans would be an advantage. * A background in biology, particularly marine biology/environmental science. * A background in environmental interpretation or education and experience working with children is desirable. * Experience working with the public, and public speaking would be useful. * Excellent verbal and written communication skills. * IT skills. Sightings Officer * The sightings officer will be responsible for ensuring that the land and boat based sightings' are updated on our website and in our visitor centre on a daily basis. * Ensure that all sightings data collected during surveys are input onto computer. * They will also be responsible for ensuring that the "new" Welsh sightings' database is kept up to date with data from our surveys and land based work and that data submitted by other organisations is input promptly and correctly. * As above (Research & Education assistants) Longer Term Posts (5-6 Months) Bottlenose dolphin Photo-id catalogue Officer * Main responsibility will be to oversee the cataloguing of the bottlenose dolphin photo-id catalogue and matching individuals to previous year's images. * Conduct talks on the photo-identification work conducted at the CBMWC to interested parties. * As above (Research & Education assistants) Education Officer * Help to plan, research and design interpretation boards on the marine wildlife in Cardigan Bay for display in the Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre and other organisations' centres throughout Wales. * Design educational materials for younger children on the marine wildlife in Cardigan Bay e.g. Activity booklet. * Act as mentor and point of contact for work experience students. * Conduct talks on the work of the CBMWC to interested parties. * Coordinate and organise other volunteers participating with the education work at CBMWC * Help plan, develop ideas for events at the CBMWC (e.g. talks on local wildlife). * As above (Research & Education assistants). We are also looking for volunteers with website building experience for a new project, volunteers with accountancy experience, fundraising experience and any other experience that may be of benefit to the CBMWC. Volunteer positions are available from mid April until October 2006, commitment for a minimum of 2 weeks is required. Priority will be given to volunteers available for longer periods. Accommodation can be arranged for committed volunteers (approx 45 - 50GBP per week). Volunteers are responsible for their own food, travel and accommodation costs. Local volunteers are always welcome to join us. For further information about the work we do please visit - <http://www.cbmwc.org/> www.cbmwc.org To apply: Please contact us by email at volunteer@cbmwc.org and include a copy of your CV detailing your background and relevant experience together with a covering letter indicating when and how long you are available to volunteer. Or alternatively post your application to: Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre Patent Slip Building Glanmor Terrace New Quay Ceredigion SA45 9PS West Wales (UK) Tel: +44 (0) 1545 560032/ (0) 7796135490 www.cbmwc.org <http://www.cbmwc.org/>