Dolphin Research Volunteer Project, Greece

As a marine conservation volunteer in dolphin research, you will aid our team in the Ionian Sea to develop a viable marine environment which will create long-term stability for dolphins. We specifically work with Bottlenose Dolphins and the Short-Beaked Common Dolphin, both of which are located in the Amvrakikos Gulf and the archipelago in the Inner Ionian Sea.

Volunteer Duties Include:

- Monitor dolphins around the research region by using survey methods
- Dolphin photo-identification which is used to identify individual dolphins through their traits. This is to try to understand how breadth and diversity of the local dolphin populations
- Record dolphin behaviour and group size and monitor the different interactions of groups - data is logged with GIS software
- Collect data that covers other marine species such as sea turtles, tuna, swordfish and seabirds – this data will provide project scientists with the understanding of the area’s overall marine health
- Inspect dead dolphins to determine cause of death and collect biological and genetic data that can help improve further investigations
- Assess the manner in which local dolphins interact with local fisheries and the way their interaction can increase positive changes in the marine environment

Volunteers will work with project researchers every day. If a dolphin volunteer sights a dolphin, then they will need to log angle and distance from boat, size, and spatial distribution in a group. This work is fast-paced and requires large amounts of data that can be recorded in a short span of time. Volunteers must remain alert during boat trips.