DELFINI DEL PONENTE ASSOCIATION, IMPERIA, ITALY Cetaceans and Marine Fauna research project Delfini del Ponente is currently looking for and accepting interns to join our research project on bottlenose dolphins and other marine fauna in the Western Ligurian Sea, Imperia (Italy) from March to October. The project The dolphin research project “Delfini del Ponente”, started in 2018, is the first project focused on monitoring bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) occurrence and distribution in the Western Ligurian Sea. The project is structured on an annual basis, to obtain data year-round. The study has already provided very interesting information about this community inside the study area - its social organisation, abundance of individuals, distribution, and movements also outside the region. Our dataset includes records on several cetaceans species and also on other marine fauna such as seabirds - Mediterranean shearwaters (Puffinus yelkouan), Scopoli’s shearwaters (Calonectris diomedea), Northern gannets (Morus bassanus), Sandwich terns (Thalasseus sandvicensis) and more - sea turtles (Caretta caretta) and sunfish (Mola mola), among others. Surveys are carried out in coastal waters onboard a dedicated zodiac (6 m inflatable boat) around 10 times per month. Training will focus on recording data on marine fauna, collecting photos for photo-ID purposes, environmental, marine traffic, geographical (GPS) and dolphins' behavioural data. Land-based surveys take place in Imperia, in 2 different locations to collect data on the presence/absence of dolphins, fishing boats in activity and marine birds. Fieldwork is a great opportunity to get involved and improve skills in cetaceans and marine biodiversity research. Both land-based and zodiac surveys are weather-dependent, and their number can change each month. Office work (6 hours per day) includes training and lessons for the interns and supervision of all the activities (photo-id work, transcription of data, data entry, skin lesion analysis, QGIS work, etc...) Where: Imperia, Italy When: 1 March-30 October 2024 (minimum 30 days) Number of interns for month: 2 /3 Activities: - boat-based surveys monitoring the presence and distribution of bottlenose dolphins - boat maintenance - data collection of other cetaceans, fishes, seabirds, turtles - office work, database updating - photo-id matching and skin-lesion analysis - land-based surveys /opportunistic surveys - monitoring survey for potential sea turtle tracks (only in July-August) - pilot project - lectures and training on cetacean ecology, biology and research techniques, and seabirds and sea turtles id skills This is a great opportunity to get involved in cetacean research, encounter marine biodiversity while gaining fieldwork experience, travel and explore the beautiful Liguria region and support cetacean research and conservation. Interns will be involved 5 days a week, 6-8 hours/day (depending on fieldwork or office work) During their free time, interns will have the opportunity to experience all sorts of activities: swimming, diving, hiking, exploring historical sites, visiting museums, surfing and sailing. Skills/qualifications: - Minimum age of 18 - Prior experience in cetaceans or boat-based surveys is not required - Degree or ongoing 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 and highly flexible as fieldwork is weather-dependent - Be prepared to spend many hours on a small zodiac (5-6 m) and under the sun, be able to swim and work in harsh weather conditions both in nearshore and offshore waters - Be prepared to spend many hours in the office (generally 6 hours/day) - Be sociable and with a positive attitude as interns are expected to live and work in an international team Internship fee Delfini del Ponente is a self-funded research project, so participation in this programme requires a tuition fee. The 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, insurance). Transportation expenses to and from Imperia (Italy) and food costs during the stay are not included in the fee. How to apply: Send your CV with a letter of interest to info@delfinidelponente.it For any further enquiries and details, please send an email to info@delfinidelponente.it -- *Delfini Del Ponente APS* Via Regione Bussi, 18100 Imperia (Italy) C.F. 91048910086 pec: delfinidelponente@pec.it https://delfinidelponente.it/