DELFINI DEL PONENTE ASSOCIATION, IMPERIA, ITALY
Cetaceans and Marine Fauna research project
Delfini del Ponente is currently looking for and accepting interns to join
our research project on bottlenose dolphins and other marine fauna in the
Western Ligurian Sea, Imperia (Italy) from March to October.
The project
The dolphin research project “Delfini del Ponente”, started in 2018, is the
first project focused on monitoring bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)
occurrence and distribution in the Western Ligurian Sea. The project is
structured on an annual basis, to obtain data year-round. The study has
already provided very interesting information about this community inside
the study area - its social organisation, abundance of individuals,
distribution, and movements also outside the region. Our dataset includes
records on several cetaceans species and also on other marine fauna such as
seabirds - Mediterranean shearwaters (Puffinus yelkouan), Scopoli’s
shearwaters (Calonectris diomedea), Northern gannets (Morus bassanus),
Sandwich terns (Thalasseus sandvicensis) and more - sea turtles (Caretta
caretta) and sunfish (Mola mola), among others.
Surveys are carried out in coastal waters onboard a dedicated zodiac (6 m
inflatable boat) around 10 times per month. Training will focus on
recording data on marine fauna, collecting photos for photo-ID purposes,
environmental, marine traffic, geographical (GPS) and dolphins' behavioural
data. Land-based surveys take place in Imperia, in 2 different locations to
collect data on the presence/absence of dolphins, fishing boats in activity
and marine birds. Fieldwork is a great opportunity to get involved and
improve skills in cetaceans and marine biodiversity research. Both
land-based and zodiac surveys are weather-dependent, and their number can
change each month.
Office work (6 hours per day) includes training and lessons for the interns
and supervision of all the activities (photo-id work, transcription of
data, data entry, skin lesion analysis, QGIS work, etc...)
Where: Imperia, Italy
When: 1 March-30 October 2024 (minimum 30 days)
Number of interns for month: 2 /3
Activities:
-
boat-based surveys monitoring the presence and distribution of
bottlenose dolphins
-
boat maintenance
-
data collection of other cetaceans, fishes, seabirds, turtles
-
office work, database updating
-
photo-id matching and skin-lesion analysis
-
land-based surveys /opportunistic surveys
-
monitoring survey for potential sea turtle tracks (only in July-August)
- pilot project
-
lectures and training on cetacean ecology, biology and research
techniques, and seabirds and sea turtles id skills
This is a great opportunity to get involved in cetacean research, encounter
marine biodiversity while gaining fieldwork experience, travel and explore
the beautiful Liguria region and support cetacean research and
conservation.
Interns will be involved 5 days a week, 6-8 hours/day (depending on
fieldwork or office work)
During their free time, interns will have the opportunity to experience all
sorts of activities: swimming, diving, hiking, exploring historical sites,
visiting museums, surfing and sailing.
Skills/qualifications:
-
Minimum age of 18
-
Prior experience in cetaceans or boat-based surveys is not required
-
Degree or ongoing studies in biology, natural science, veterinary or
similar (preferred)
-
Strong motivation and interest in cetaceans and research
-
Speak, read and write in fluent English
-
Be adaptable and highly flexible as fieldwork is weather-dependent
-
Be prepared to spend many hours on a small zodiac (5-6 m) and under the
sun, be able to swim and work in harsh weather conditions both in nearshore
and offshore waters
-
Be prepared to spend many hours in the office (generally 6 hours/day)
-
Be sociable and with a positive attitude as interns are expected to live
and work in an international team
Internship fee
Delfini del Ponente is a self-funded research project, so participation in
this programme requires a tuition fee. The fee includes the accommodation
in an apartment in Imperia, tuition and all associated field costs during
the internship period (use of research vessel, training, use of equipment,
field trips, insurance). Transportation expenses to and from Imperia
(Italy) and food costs during the stay are not included in the fee.
How to apply:
Send your CV with a letter of interest to i...@delfinidelponente.it
For any further enquiries and details, please send an email to
i...@delfinidelponente.it
--
*Delfini Del Ponente APS*
Via Regione Bussi, 18100 Imperia (Italy)
C.F. 91048910086
pec: delfinidelpone...@pec.it
https://delfinidelponente.it/
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