RESEARCH INTERN POSITION FALL
2018/WINTER 2019
Costa Balenae is currently looking for and accepting interns to
join our pilot project on bottlenose dolphins in the Western Ligurian Sea, Imperia (Italy) from November to April.(DEADLINE
10th October,
for November)
Programme: Interns are invited to assist the biologists of Costa Balenae
in different activities of the research project on bottlenose dolphins:
- Boat-based surveys (10-12 per month)
- Photo-id matching/classwork
- Data entry
- Opportunistic surveys
- land base surveys
Schedule:
Period: from 1st November 2018
to 30th April.
Minimum required: 30 days
Number of interns per month: 2
This is a great opportunity to get involved
in cetacean research, enjoy marine biodiversity while gaining fieldwork
experience, travelling and exploring the beautiful Liguria region while supporting cetacean research and
conservation.
Fieldwork will be made in coastal waters (Western Ligurian Sea). Surveys will be conducted onboard dedicated vessels (5-6 m inflatable boat) 10-12 times per
month. Training will focus on collecting photo for photo-ID purposes, environmental, geographical (GPS) and dolphins' behavioural data. Fieldwork will help participants gaining first-hand experience in collecting data on free-ranging cetaceans and improve
skills on cetaceans boat-based surveys as well as on the use of the photo-ID technique. Surveys are weather dependent and they can change during the period.
Interns will be involved 5 days a week, 6-8 hours/day (depending on fieldwork or labwork)
During free time, interns will have the opportunity to experience all sorts of activities: swimming, diving, hiking, exploring historical sites, visit museums, sailing.
Skills/qualification:
- Minimum age of 18
- Prior experience in cetaceans or boat-based surveys is not required, but preferred
- Degree or on-going studies in biology, natural science, veterinary or similar (preferred)
- Strong motivation and interest in cetaceans and research
- Speak, read and write in fluent English
- Be adaptable as fieldwork is weather dependent
- Be prepared to spend many hours on a small zodiac (5-6 m) and under the sun
- Be sociable and willing as they are expected to live and work in an international team
- Boat driving licence or experience in handling small boats (preferred)
About the project
The dolphins research project
“Delfini del Ponente” is the first project focused on monitoring bottlenose dolphins in the Western Ligurian Sea. Due to the morphology of the seafloor, this area is not a usual habitat for this species and historically, sightings
have a been more rare and sporadic than in the Levantine side of the region. The continental shelf is, in fact, very short and high depths (around 2000 m) are reached quite close to the shore making the area suitable for other cetacean species but not for
bottlenose dolphins, which tend to remain in waters with depth not exceeding 200 m.
Despite this knowledge of the range of the species, an interesting change has been noted in
recent years in the area. Reports of bottlenose dolphins by boats, fishermen and whale watching vessels are almost tripled compared to previous seasons. Therefore, the project aims to monitor bottlenose dolphins in the region to understand the extent of this
change and what drove it. It is structured on an annual basis, in order to obtain data not only on the distribution during the summer, but also changes during the different seasons.
Internship fee
Delfini del Ponente is a self-funded research project, so participation in this programme requires a tuition
fee. Fee includes the accommodation in an apartment in Imperia, tuition and all associated field costs during the internship period (use of research vessel,
training, use of equipment, field trips). Transportation expenses to and from Imperia (Italy), own insurances, and food costs during the stay are not included in the fee.
Information about Costa Balenae
Costa Balenae is a cooperative organization founded by a group of biologists and naturalists with twenty years of experience in the fields of scientific research,
environmental education, territorial development and sustainable tourism. The passion for nature, its conservation and the development of commercial tourism activities that make knowledge, awareness and sustainability a point of strong entrepreneurial imprinting
are the main characteristic of the cooperative.
How to apply:
Send your CV with a letter of interest (please indicate the preferred period, date of arriving and departure) to info@costabalenae.it addressed to
Elena Fontanesi and Davide Ascheri no longer than the 10th of
October.
Successful applicants could be contacted for a skype interview.
Davide Ascheri and Elena Fontanesi
Biologist - Costa Balenae Whale and Nature Watching