Sea Watch Wales
2006 Marine Research and Education Volunteer Opportunities
The Sea Watch Foundation is a registered marine environmental research charity that aims to achieve better conservation of whales and dolphins in the seas around Britain and Ireland, by involving the public in scientific monitoring of populations and the threats they face, and by the regular production of material to educate, inform and lobby for better environmental protection. At Sea Watch Wales, we are dedicated to raising awareness, knowledge and conservation of the marine wildlife of West Wales through research and education. Our work is funded by the Countryside Council for Wales, with support from Defra and the Heritage Lottery Fund, and we work closely with the local management authority, Ceredigion County Council.
Research
The purpose of our research is to monitor the marine mammal populations inhabiting Cardigan Bay, particularly its two Special Areas of Conservation, so as to gain information to aid the conservation and long-term well being of these animals and the local marine environment. This is achieved by conducting various research projects including:
- Estimating the abundance and distribution of bottlenose dolphins, harbour porpoises and grey seals within the Cardigan Bay SAC using distance sampling and opportunistic boat surveys
- Maintaining and updating a catalogue of photographically identified bottlenose dolphins in West Wales in order to study their abundance, social structure, movements and life histories.
- Acoustic monitoring of bottlenose dolphins and harbour porpoises in the Cardigan Bay SAC using automated click detectors (TPODs)
- Setting up a library of underwater sounds in Welsh waters in order to develop bio-acoustic research in the area.
In addition, line-transect abundance surveys for common dolphins are conducted monthly in the Celtic Deep west of Pembrokeshire. In summer 2005, these revealed sizeable numbers of minke whales and six fin whales, as well as orca, Risso's dolphins, and harbour porpoises.
Education
We further aim to raise awareness and understanding of the importance of the local marine wildlife and the habitats supporting them, to encourage respect and conservation of the area and its wildlife for future generations. This is carried out through a school education programme, public talks and road shows, and the production and dissemination of educational and interpretational materials. We also run training courses for the public in cetacean identification and survey methods.
Volunteers
Volunteers are invited to assist with all the various projects listed above, including: land- and boat-based marine mammal surveys and photo-identification studies, database entry, awareness raising initiatives, school education programme, developing education and interpretation materials and assisting with and participating in training courses and public talks.
Volunteers are required from mid April until mid October 2006, with a minimum commitment of 4 weeks. Preference will be given to those who can stay for longer periods, including the whole 6-month period. Volunteers would be based in New Quay, West Wales, and it is possible to obtain part time paid work in the area if required. We will try and help to find accommodation for all volunteers (approx. 50GBP per week). However, volunteers are responsible for their own travel, accommodation and living expenses.
Main tasks involved include:
Research volunteers:
· Conduct land based surveys of dolphins and porpoises
· Conduct boat-based line transect surveys onboard our research vessel
· Collect observational data on marine mammal sightings and weather conditions on board local marine wildlife watching boats
· Data entry for land and boat based sightings
· Interacting with the public on the pier about the marine wildlife in the area and the work being conducted by Sea Watch
· Assist with photo-identification work and analysis
· Assist with acoustic monitoring, using T-PODS and hydrophones
Education volunteers:
· Conduct land based surveys, including recording sightings information and updating sightings records and reports.
· Interact with the public on the pier about the marine wildlife in the area and the work being conducted
· Assist with school visits, talks and awareness raising events
· Assist with the research and production of education and interpretational materials
· The opportunity to participate in boat based fieldwork
Important skills/qualifications:
· A background in marine biology/environmental science etc is desirable
· A background in environmental education and experience working with children is desirable (Education volunteers)
· A strong interest and knowledge of British cetaceans would be an advantage
· Prior experience in boat based survey work would be useful
· An ability to get on well with others in a small group
· Good verbal and written communication skills
· Experience in interacting with the public
· Public speaking and IT skills
· An ability to work in a conscientious and reliable manner
· Willingness to work long hours outdoors in often very changeable Welsh weather
· Driving Licence and preferably a car owner (Education volunteers)
All volunteers will be trained in cetacean observation and identification, in line-transect survey protocols and photo-identification of seals and bottlenose dolphins.
For more information on our research and the volunteer programme, please visit our website www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk.
To Apply:
Please send a CV and a covering letter detailing whether you want to work with education or research, including any relevant experience you have and specifying when in the season you are available and for what length of time to:
Hanna Nuuttila
Please put VOLUNTEER APPLICATION into your subject title.
Or by snail mail: Sea Watch Foundation Wales, Paragon House, Wellington Place, New Quay, Ceredigion, SA45 9NR. Tel:01545 561227
The volunteer selection will take place after the New Year so you will hear back from us by the end of February.
Conference Presentations and publications:
Lastra, P. and Ugarte, F. (2004) Photo identification of bottlenose dolphins in the Cardigan Bay candidate Special Area of Conservation. Poster for ECS Conference, Kolmarden, Sweden, March/April 2004.
Ugarte, F., Lastra, P., Evans, P.G.H., Hartley, S. and Laing, S. (2004) Present and future abundance estimation of marine mammals in the Cardigan Bay candidate Special Area of Conservation (cSAC) from line transect surveys using a small boat. Poster for ECS Conference, Kolmarden, Sweden, March/April 2004.
Lamb, J. and Ugarte, F. (2005) Relationships between presence of bottlenose dolphins, environmental variables and boat traffic; visual and acoustic surveys in new Quay Bay, Wales. Poster for ECS Conference, La Rochelle, France, April 2005.
Lott, R., Evans, P.G.H., Perez, S., Stone, E., Hartley, S. and Ugarte, F (2005) Social structure and long term Residency of Bottlenose Dolphins in Cardigan Bay. Presentation for ECS Conference, La Rochelle, France, April 2005.
Lott, R., Stone, E., Perez, S., Hartley, S., Evans, P.G.H., and Ugarte, F. (2005) Social structure of bottlenose dolphins in Cardigan Bay, Wales. Poster for ECS Conference, La Rochelle, France, April 2005.
Perez, S., Lott, R., Stone, E., Luque, P. Hartley, S., Evans, P.G.H., Baines, M., Reichelt, M., Baxter, J. and Ugarte, F. (2005) Long-term site fidelity of bottlenose dolphins in Cardigan Bay, Wales. Poster for ECS Conference, La Rochelle, France, April 2005.
Simon, M. andVerfu ß, U. (2005) Acoustic monitoring of bottlenose dolphins using T-PODs. Presentation for ECS Conference, La Rochelle, France, April 2005.
Ugarte, F., Felce, T., Perez, S., Stone, E., Hartley, S. and Evans, P.G.H. (2005) Abundance of marine mammals in the Cardigan Bay SAC estimated with distance sampling and photo identification surveys from a small boat. Presentation for ECS Conference, La Rochelle, France, April 2005.
Masters theses published or in preparation since 2004 from projects undertaken in conjunction with Sea Watch Foundation:
- Evonne Amblin, University of Plymouth: Environmental factors affecting the distribution of short-beaked common dolphins ( Delphinus delphis) of the Celtic Deep. (in prep.)
- Ina Ansmann, University of Wales, Bangor:
Acoustic behaviour and whistle characteristics of common dolphins, (Delphinus Delphis), in the Celtic Sea. (in prep.)
- Juliana Castrillon, University of Javeriana, Colombia: Estimating the population size and long-term residence of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Cardigan Bay SAC. (in prep.)
- Ronan Hickey, University of Wales, Bangor: Comparative study of bottlenose dolphin whistles in the southern Cardigan Bay SAC and in the Shannon Estuary. (in prep.)
- Jennie Lamb, University of Wales, Bangor: Relationships between bottlenose dolphins ( Tursiops truncatus), environmental variables and boat traffic; visual and acoustic surveys in New Quay Bay. (2004)
- Kate Lewis, University of Wales, Bangor: Habitat use, behaviour and site fidelity of grey seals along the Ceredigion Heritage Coast. (in prep.)
- Rob Lott, University of Wales, Bangor: Social structure of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus ) in Cardigan Bay. (2004)
- Neal Reay, University of Wales, Bangor: Estimating the g(0) in linear surveys of harbour porpoise, bottlenose dolphins and grey seals. (in prep.)
- Mercedes Reyes-Zamudio, University of Wales, Bangor: A coustic behaviour of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) : a comparison between T-POD and visual surveys. (in prep.)
- Andrew Scullion, University of Wales, Bangor: Short-beaked common dolphin, Delphinus delphis, whistles: Is whistle density, a reliable Form of measuring group size? (2004)
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