Voluntary Work
This programme offers the opportunity to help specialist field scientists studying mega fauna and marine ecology in a huge range of underwater research projects.
Currently, projects under way include:
- Coral health surveys
- Dive research
- Dolphin and whale-shark surveys
- Reef fish surveys
- Baby coral and coral reprodution
- Conch and lobster surveys
- Land based work
- Work in the community
- Administration duties
Dolphin and whale-shark surveys
On most mornings, the project’s survey boat will go in search of dolphin and whaleshark, staying out for about four hours. If the survey group is lucky and locates a subject group, then the volunteers will carry out under-water photography and collect environmental data under the watchful eyes of the field scientists and visiting researchers.
On their return to base, the volunteers will enter their findings onto the research station computers, analyse the images captured, and update the database.
Dive research
Generally, there will be one or two research dives each morning and afternoon. Volunteers will join the marine biologists collecting data under the direction of the experienced field staff.
Activities might include:
Coral health surveys
Volunteers will take part in surveying the coral reefs at various locations around the island in order to assess the extent and rate of spread of any disease or other health problems. In addition, during the summer months, this will include checking for coral bleaching.
Baby corals and coral reproduction
Volunteers will join research dives to assist in the collection of data relating to the size and location of baby corals, and assessing any factors, which may be influencing their survival. This is part of ongoing research into the survival rates and success rates of juvenile corals, as well as the settlement success of larvae. At certain times it is also possible to observe the amazing mass spawning process.
Fish species surveys
Volunteers can carry out dive surveys to assess the population of commercially- and ecologically-important fish species around the island of Utila. They will be assessing the numbers of particular fish species, as well as their location and size. In addition to looking at fish such as groupers, damsel fish, snappers, and parrotfish, volunteers may be asked to monitor and record specific fish behaviours. Again, if you are there at a particular time of year, you may be able to participate in the monitoring of fish aggregation events, where thousands of fish come together to reproduce.
Conch and lobster surveys
These surveys involve the use of transects to count and measure conch and lobster populations. This is part of a long-term investigation into these commercially-important and ecologically-essential creatures.
Important point: Dive fieldwork will vary according to the needs of the centre at the time of your visit, but there will always be research that needs conducting and data that needs collecting. Often, there may be additional specialist dive research projects under the direction of visiting scientists in which volunteers will be invited to take part. Whatever is going on at the time of your stay, dive fieldwork is an exciting and instructive experience for volunteers, giving them a real understanding of the processes of academic marine biology.
Land-based work
In addition to dive fieldwork, volunteers will spend at least one session a week carrying out surveys on the island itself – either in the mangroves or checking for coconut palm disease around the island, or analysing water samples, for example. Often, the mangrove surveys are done using kayaks or snorkels. Coconut palm assessment will involve extensive coverage of the island on foot.
Work in the community
Volunteers are also asked to take part in some of the very active and important community education and awareness programmes organised by the project coordinators. Events might include taking the local schoolchildren on a snorkelling trip, or organising beach clean-up days - perhaps painting the local school, or distributing leaflets.
What’s Included in the Programme
- All accommodation
- Breakfast and lunch
- All dive equipment
- All science training
- All project related transport
- 24/7 emergency assistance
What’s Not Included in the Programme
- International flights
- Internal flights to Utila Island
- PADI dive training
- Travel insurance
- Any extra excursions
- Alcoholic beverages/extra snacks
- Transfer to Utila Airport on return
- Evening meals
Prices & Durations
Honduras Marine Conservation - 4 weeks £1,759
Honduras Marine Conservation - 6 weeks £2,529
Honduras Marine Conservation - 8 weeks £3,079
Honduras Marine Conservation: PADI - Advanced Open Water (2 days) £389
Honduras Marine Conservation: PADI - Open Water + Advanced Open Water (1 week) £659
