Whale & dolphin research in Ligurian Sea, Italy
| country: | Italy |
| departures: | 2010: 17 May, 24 May, 31 May, 7 Jun, 14 Jun, 21 Jun, 28 Jun, 5 Jul, 12 Jul, 19 Jul, 26 Jul, 2 Aug, 9 Aug, 16 Aug, 23 Aug, 30 Aug, 6 Sep, 13 Sep, 20 Sep, 27 Sep |
| price: | From €825 - €895 (7 days) excluding flights. |
| more info: | Discount price €745 - €808 for students (under 26) on some courses. Price includes all meals on board for the duration of the course |
| offers: | 14th May and 24th May departures are reduced to €808 from €895 |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
introduction to Whale & dolphin research in Ligurian Sea, Italy
The Ligurian Sea has one of the highest concentrations of whales and dolphins in the entire Mediterranean. It includes habitats suitable for all the cetacean species that are regularly found in the Mediterranean basin. A remarkable diversity of cetaceans and other marine fauna coexists in the area, where there are also high levels of human pressure. As a consequence, a range of human activities may threaten cetacean populations.
Research carried out since 1990 investigates the spatial distribution, ecology, habitat preferences and behaviour of cetaceans living in the Pelagos Sanctuary - a special marine protected area extending about 90,000 km2 between Italy, France and the island of Sardinia. Research focuses on the spectacularly large fin whale as well as on sperm whales, Risso’s dolphins, and on smaller species such as striped dolphins and bottlenose dolphins. Research methods include the use of remote sensing and telemetry data, the combined use of laser range-finding binoculars and GPS to passively track and record the horizontal movements of whales, bio-acoustic research, photo-identification, behavioural sampling, and remote biopsy sampling for genetic and toxicological analyses.
Participants will be directly involved in field activities, helping the researchers to collect cetacean data and enter them in a computer. They will assist researchers in analysing digital photos taken during the sightings and do preliminary photo-identification work. Lectures on cetaceans, marine biology and conservation are also given.
Price includes food, accommodation, insurance, lectures & scientific supervision. Group size 6-12 people.
Participants are full members of the crew, and they will be assigned a number of duties. These include research tasks as well as help operating the vessel, cooking and cleaning. No previous research experience or nautical experience is needed. At the beginning of each cruise, participants will be trained by the researchers to perform specific tasks.
The principal duties are based on a rota and include: sighting shifts (watches in search of cetaceans), computer shifts (data entry and hydrophone listening), navigation shifts (checking the boat course and velocity), cooking and boat-keeping shifts (participants as well as staff members will be in charge of preparing meals and cleaning-up, keeping the boat tidy and ready to sail). But don’t worry: there will be time to relax or go for a swim.
Research carried out since 1990 investigates the spatial distribution, ecology, habitat preferences and behaviour of cetaceans living in the Pelagos Sanctuary - a special marine protected area extending about 90,000 km2 between Italy, France and the island of Sardinia. Research focuses on the spectacularly large fin whale as well as on sperm whales, Risso’s dolphins, and on smaller species such as striped dolphins and bottlenose dolphins. Research methods include the use of remote sensing and telemetry data, the combined use of laser range-finding binoculars and GPS to passively track and record the horizontal movements of whales, bio-acoustic research, photo-identification, behavioural sampling, and remote biopsy sampling for genetic and toxicological analyses.
Participants will be directly involved in field activities, helping the researchers to collect cetacean data and enter them in a computer. They will assist researchers in analysing digital photos taken during the sightings and do preliminary photo-identification work. Lectures on cetaceans, marine biology and conservation are also given.
Price includes food, accommodation, insurance, lectures & scientific supervision. Group size 6-12 people.
a day in the life of a volunteer
The schedule of a research cruise depends very much on weather conditions. We work from a 21m sailing boat and surveys are conducted whenever the sea state and wind forecasts are favourable for data collection. In an average survey day, the crew gets up early in the morning, between 7.00 and 8.00 AM. After breakfast the navigation starts and research is conducted until the vessel reaches another harbour or a sheltered bay for the night. Depending on cruise programme and weather conditions, the boat may remain offshore for one day or longer. Participants are full members of the crew, and they will be assigned a number of duties. These include research tasks as well as help operating the vessel, cooking and cleaning. No previous research experience or nautical experience is needed. At the beginning of each cruise, participants will be trained by the researchers to perform specific tasks.
The principal duties are based on a rota and include: sighting shifts (watches in search of cetaceans), computer shifts (data entry and hydrophone listening), navigation shifts (checking the boat course and velocity), cooking and boat-keeping shifts (participants as well as staff members will be in charge of preparing meals and cleaning-up, keeping the boat tidy and ready to sail). But don’t worry: there will be time to relax or go for a swim.
traveller reviews for Whale & dolphin research in Ligurian Sea, Italy
The researchers are incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about their job. And nothing will ever compare to seeing so many beautiful creatures close up in their natural habitat.
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volunteer travel - what's it all about?
Are you looking for an adventurous trip with a purpose, or on a gap year or career break? If you want to make a difference in some of the world’s most important conservation areas - and in community projects - then volunteer trips are for you! Volunteers tend to have a sense of adventure, and come from a range of different backgrounds and from all over the world. Edward Abbey said 'sentiment without action is the ruin of the soul'.
how this holiday makes a difference
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In 1990 our organization was the first to propose the creation of a Marine Reserve in the Corso-Ligurian basin, based on original data collected in the field. After a decade of lobbying by us and others, the Governments of Italy, France and Monaco signed a joint Declaration for the creation of the Pelagos Sanctuary for Cetaceans. This has been a major conservation success in the region. The agreement, finally ratified in 2003, represents an important step towards the final goal of ensuring protection to whales and dolphins living in the area.
The aim of the our research project is to provide a scientific basis for the management of Pelagos. Intensive research conducted by the project is highlighting the conservation needs of several cetacean species and has been raising remarkable awareness. Since 1992, almost 2,000 volunteers participated in the research cruises. Living on board and co-operating to different aspects of the research creates a bond between researchers and volunteers, leading to a stronger commitment to environmental conservation. Participants are informed about marine ecosystem damage caused by human activities and provided with sets of solutions ranging from personal changes of behaviour (e.g. responsible consumption of seafood) to collaboration with NGOs active in environmental protection. Ways to address the main threats facing cetaceans and the marine environment are discussed in the context of informal 'round tables'. The participation in this projects is - in itself - a way of supporting the work of a group committed to the conservation of marine biodiversity. How this company makes a difference: We are a non-profit research organization partner to ACCOBAMS, the UNEP's Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans in the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and Contiguous Atlantic Area. We aim to protect the Mediterranean biodiversity by promoting the adoption of a precautionary approach for the management of natural resources. Public awareness and conservation activities, coupled with education and capacity building, find their strength in our 20+ years of experience studying cetaceans in several Mediterranean countries. Our work seeks to prevent the decline of marine species and to encourage a sustainable use of the marine environment, particularly where habitat degradation makes it necessary. We have contributed over 300 scientific publications that substantially increase present understanding of Mediterranean cetaceans. Over the past two decades we have trained and involved in our research activities thousands of people from around the world. We participated in countless management and conservation meetings, and organized a number of actions to raise local and regional awareness on the need to protect whales, dolphins, and the ecosystem that supports them. Photo credits: Federico Bendinoni & Sabina Airoldi |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |
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