Volunteers needed for photo-identification work on bottlenose dolphins, Normandy, France We are looking for several volunteers to help with photo-identification work at the office and field work on bottlenose dolphins from the beginning of September. Context : The organization GECC (Groupe d’Etude des Cétacés du Cotentin) aims at monitoring marine mammals in the Channel. One of the biggest bottlenose dolphin population in Europe inhabits coastal waters of the Channel. Photo-identification work started in 2004, more than 700 individuals have been identified so far. We started biopsy sampling a few months ago. This year, a 3 year project on the study of the population has started along with a PhD thesis. Position description Volunteers will be mainly involved in photo-identification work at the office. Field work is weather dependent, and, volunteers need to be prepared to spend several days in a row at the office, matching dolphin dorsal fins. Whenever the forecast is good, you will be involved in dolphin surveys. You will help with collecting photos, as well as collecting data during biopsy sampling and acoustic recording (photos, behaviour). Required qualifications - Mandatory fluent french (french is the language spoken on board) - Conscentious, precise and patient (for photo-identification work, you’ll match a catalog of more than 700 individuals) Volunteers are expected to stay for a minimum of 2 months, the season will start in September and last all year round during 3 years. Accommodation is provided in Cherbourg (Cotentin, Normandy, France) but you’ll be responsible for your own food (there’s a kitchen) and travel costs to Cherbourg. For more information and to apply, please send a CV and a cover letter to: gecc@hotmail.fr. Groupe d'Etude des Cétacés du Cotentin Place des Justes 50130 Cherbourg-Octeville www.gecc-normandie.org Tél. : 02 33 10 22 50 Portable : 06 62 18 40 60 E-mail : gecc@hotmail.fr