Apologies for any cross posting Hi All, Volunteer cetacean and seabird survey opportunity: Western Channel, Celtic Sea and Bay of Biscay 18th May to 9th June 2011 Some exciting new just in. Two volunteer places are available for a 3 week survey of the Western Channel, Celtic Sea and the northern Bay of Biscay.

From the food-rich waters at the mouth of the Loire Estuary off the Brittany Coast out to the edge of the continental shelf off south west Ireland, this epic voyage is likely to deliver an excellent variety of marine wildlife. Cetacean species likely to be encountered include White-beaked Dolphin, Striped Dolphin, Common Dolphin, Risso's Dolphin, Minke Whale, Long-finned Pilot Whale and Fin Whale, with Humpback Whale and White-sided Dolphin also possibilities. Migratory seabirds encountered are likely to include Cory's Shearwater, Balearic Shearwater, Pomarine Skua and Long-tailed Skua.

You will join and have opportunity to learn from a multidisciplinary team carrying out pelagic fish and plankton surveys and collecting oceanographic data. There will also be the opportunity to contribute to analyses linking mammals and seabirds sightings to prey availability. Details: Departure Date: 10:00am 18th May 2011 Return Date: 9th June 2011 Port: Lowestoft All meals will be provided for you onboard the ship; specific dietary requirements can be catered for (please specify in your application). Your bunk will have a bed, en-suite bathroom, TV, desk and internet access - towels and bedding will be provided. You will also have access to the lounge room and gym for use in your spare time. In some circumstances, Marinelife may help in providing support for travel expenses to/from Lowestoft. Requirements: . Experienced in cetacean and/or seabird identification at sea. . A valid ENG1 medical certificate. (see www.dft.gov.uk/mca/mcga-mgn264.pdf and http://www.dft.gov.uk/mca/mcga07-home/workingatsea/mcga-medicalcertandadvice /mcga-ml5-medicalinfo/mcga-approved-docs-list.htm ) . Personal Sea Survival Certificate (Sea survival training is possible prior to departure - e.g. on Thursdays in Lowestoft). All marine animal data collected by you during this trip will also contribute directly towards Marinelife's CHARM III Channel Marine Mammal & Seabird Survey - please visit: <http://www.marine-life.org.uk> www.marine-life.org.uk and <http://marinelife-charm3.blogspot.com/> http://marinelife-charm3.blogspot.com/ for more details. If you would like to join the research team as a Marine Mammal & Seabird Surveyor, please email <mailto:tom.brereton@marine-life.org.uk> tom.brereton@marine-life.org.uk including a CV or brief summary of experience. I look forward to hearing from you. Tom Brereton tom.brereton (at) marine-life.org.uk Research Director Marinelife