Marine & Beach Conservation

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Hi,my name is Jay, I have a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and I have always been fascinated by animals and the habitat they live in. This wonderful opportunity came by where I could volunteer for the marine/beach conservation and make a difference to the world. I am planning to go for at least 4 weeks and would love your support. This trip is entirely self funded and any support from you in cash or kind will be appreciated. Below are the details of the marine conservation programme.

The programme is run in association with the University of the South Pacific. The work aims to provide the local stakeholders, research organisations and government bodies with the information they need to design and implement management plans for the future protection of coastal island and lagoon marine ecosystem.

To gather the data needed I will be snorkelling/diving to locate and map the extensive coral reefs and study the various communities living on them. I will also explore and record the organisms that inhabit the luxuriant mangrove forests, dense sea grass beds and productive inter-tidal areas. To do this I will deploy a wide range of research skills and scientific techniques including: underwater visual census of reef and commercial fish such as triggerfish and parrotfish, indicator species (both fish and coral), assessment of algal and coral cover to determine the extent of coral bleaching and damage, and line intercept transects for benthic life and indicator invertebrate species such as nudibranchs.

I may record observations of the feeding habits and behaviour patterns of a range of marine life. I may even get to study the impact of artisanal fishing on the coral reefs or report the effects of Global Warming on marine communities.

Although the work is intense and challenging I'll get immense satisfaction from having survived and from having made a valuable contribution to the conservation of this untarnished marine wilderness. I will return home with the new friends I've made and a wealth of fascinating stories and memories.

Please Vistit to leave a motivating message for me at https://www.facebook.com/SavingThisEarth