MOm/Hellenic Society for the Study and Protection of the Monk Seal

“Northern Aegean Dolphin Project”

www.mom.gr

Dolphin research volunteer – positions available for June – September 2013

Volunteer research assistant positions at the “Northern Aegean Dolphin Project” of MOm/Hellenic Society for the Study and Protection of the Monk seal have just become available for June – September 2013 to collect data on the dolphin population of the Northern Aegean Sea.

About MOm/Hellenic Society for the Study and Protection of the Monk seal

MOm/Hellenic Society for the Study and Protection of the Monk seal is a national Greek non-governmental environmental organization. The Society was founded in 1988 and since then has maintained a continued presence nationally and internationally as one of the most active NGOs in Greece. MOm is a member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and has more than 8,500 supporters in Greece and abroad. The goal of the Society is to protect Greek marine biodiversity by protecting the critically endangered Mediterranean monk seal, along with a healthy marine environment for the present and future generations.

Position description

Volunteers are required to help with our research on the dolphin population of the Northern Aegean Sea in Greece. The study area is located in the area of Northern Sporades islands and within the National Marine Park of Alonissos, Northern Sporades.

Volunteering at MOm is a fantastic opportunity for you to experiencing the unique marine biodiversity of Greece and make a positive contribution to marine wildlife conservation. The data you collect will contribute to a new research effort on bottlenose and common dolphin site usage, abundance, photo-identification and acoustic studies.

Responsibilities/duties will include (but are not limited to):

• Boat-based surveys
• Data entry and checking
• Updating sightings information

Research assistant Training

Following the boat surveys, the research staff of MOm will present research techniques and give specific training regarding the equipment used on the first day. Evening lectures by experts in the field will enrich volunteer knowledge regarding local ecology and marine mammals. In addition, the field station will be stocked with identification books, scientific literature, and other resources to assist with research. Participants will learn about topics such as:

• Cetacean life history, behavior, and identification
• Threats faced by marine mammals
• Photo-identification techniques
• Fisheries/marine mammal interactions
• How the research data will be used for conservation and management purposes
• Use of equipment (cameras, binoculars, GPS systems)
• Data storage and computer software processing of digital photos for photo-identification of individuals

Essential skills

Ø An interest in wildlife and conservation

Ø Positive, reliable, conscientious and mature attitude

Ø Ability to work as part of a small team

Ø Strong work ethic with an ability to work unsupervised

Ø Adaptable and patient (particularly as boat work is weather dependent)

Ø Fluency in English

General requirements - Volunteer fee – How to apply

For more information on volunteer/booking fees please visit: http://www.mom.gr/static/project-information.html

For further information

Visit http://www.mom.gr/static/northern-aegean-dolphins-project.html

If you have any questions please email info@mom.gr with an appropriate subject line.

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MOm, HELLENIC SOCIETY FOR THE STUDY AND PROTECTION OF THE MONK SEAL
18 Solomou Str. GR-10682 Athens, Greece
Tel.: +30-210-5222888, Fax: +30-210-5222450
e-mail: support@mom.gr, web-site: www.mom.gr