Volunteers needed to help with seabird and cetacean fieldwork in South of Spain (Andalusia) Dear all, EBD-CSIC (http://www.ebd.csic.es) is seeking applications from 3 volunteers to help in the motorboat ELSA in the study of abundance and distribution of seabirds and cetaceans in the Gulf of Cadiz (Andalucía – Spain) from 23 January to 23 February 2012 (one month). Project: Seabirds and cetaceans of the marine system of Doñana (south of Spain) have been monitored since 2004. However, the information on the distribution and abundance of seabirds is limited to censuses along the coastline, and for cetaceans only the number of individuals found stranded on beaches has been recorded. The available data for seabirds suggest a high species diversity but with considerable temporal variability across the year. During some periods the area holds a high percentage of the global population of some species, for example the endangered Balearic shearwater (*Puffinus mauritanicus*). While the Doñana marine environment also holds a rich community of cetaceans, there is no information on abundance, distribution and impact of human activities on these populations. Distribution of these marine predators is mainly influenced by food resource availability, but also by oceanographic characteristics that define habitat suitability. The aim of this project is to determine the abundance and distribution, both spatial and temporal, of seabirds and cetaceans in the Gulf of Cadiz. Our approach is to examine abiotic and biotic environmental variables including activity and impact of local fisheries. Results from this project are of considerable interest from a scientific point of view, but also have an important application in the management of Doñana National Park. We will generate critical data for sound decision making, given current discussions as to the appropriate limits for the marine protected area. Our data will also allow for the prediction of the potential impact of anthropogenic alterations to the environment, such as oil spills, fisheries, wind-energy generation and harbour construction. Volunteers should be available for the entire period of one month. You will be responsible for your transport to and from the main centre, but once here, we will provide accommodation, transport to the different harbors and food expenses (communal shopping/cooking will be arranged). The main port will be Chipiona and all the volunteers and research team will be based there, although other ports (Barbate, Isla Cristina…) could be used during the surveys (in that case everyone will sleep in the boat). We have planned to do lineal transect to cover the coastal area of the Gulf of Cadiz (12 nautical miles) with the motorboat ELSA (10 meters) with an observation point at 5 meters above sea level to monitor seabirds, cetaceans and anthropogenic activities. Volunteers should be prepared to long working days (some days more than 8 hours) under the sun, the wind and cold weather and to help with data entry and office duties during bad weather days. Successful applicants will: - have previous experience in seabirds identification at sea (VERY IMPORTANT) - have a mature attitude towards seabird and marine mammal research - be autonomous and quickly operational - be able to live and work constructively with others in a team - be able to live in a small boat (10meters) for some days - speak fluently Spanish and/or English - be available for the entire one month period Applicants should send an email introducing themselves to gimenez.verdugo(at)gmail.com <gimenez.verdugo@gmail.com>. The email should include an outline of why you would like to work on this project, your qualifications and previous experience. Please also attach a brief CV, detailing your previous experiences relevant to this project. For those who are interested, there is an opportunity for arriving before and help the team with the preparation of the survey, please mention it in your email. Applications will be accepted until 5th January 2012 and then your participation will be confirmed as soon as possible. For more information, do not hesitate to contact me. All the best, -- Joan Giménez Verdugo gimenez.verdugo@gmail.com