Tobago marine conservation project

Expedition life on the Tobago project is pretty hard work but an extremely satisfying experience. It's the kind of place where you'll get to know people really well, whether it's local scholars or international volunteers – it’s a place where you'll make life-long friendships.

In Tobago's waters lie some spectacular reef systems, home to a variety of impressive creatures, ranging from Manta Rays and Dolphins to the smaller but equally spectacular Frogfish. Unfortunately in 2005 there was a mass-bleaching event that affected reefs throughout the Caribbean. The bleaching was caused by elevated sea-surface-temperatures coupled with a record number of hurricanes. This left the reef in bad state!

Action was badly needed and with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) – the Tobago Coastal Ecosystem Mapping Project (TCEMP) was established to:

• Provide baseline info on the current health of the reef and other habitats – Mangrove and Sea grass
• Increase the awareness around Tobago’s marine resources through educational programmes
• Train local in order to build in-country capacity for intrinsic management for the future.

Alongside all of this if the season is right (between March and August) three species of turtle, the giant Leatherback, Hawksbill and Green will be nesting on the shores of Tobago. Over this time you will carry out beach patrols to make sure the nesting turtles are safe from poachers, as well as tagging and monitoring these endangered giants for scientific research.

Please note: Departure dates listed above are for divers. Dive trainees start a week earlier. The site is comfortable with 3 mixed dormitories, a kitchen, living room/science room and medical room. There is running water, electricity and Internet access. The large balcony overlooking the valley is where you'll spend most of your time on site, perfecting your species ID skills or catching up on the days diving with fellow volunteers, while enjoying a ‘Carib’ as the sun sets over the valley.

A 5-minute walk down the hill takes you to the Arnos Vale Hotel, where the house reef offers a perfect science and SCUBA training ground as well as a wonderful place to 'lime' on the beach or go for a swim in your free time. Food is highly seasonable and you'll be doing a lot of the cooking yourself (with a little help from your buddy of course!).

Each working day is a busy but exciting one. Between survey SCUBA dives and lunch (12.00hrs) there are a series of briefings, training exercises and data management sessions, plus the usual daily chores. When this has been done, volunteers can climb up one of the hills overlooking Arnos Vale Bay to watch the sun set over the Caribbean Sea.

Alternatively, the 'Mot mot trail' is a popular 2-hour trek, which follows the northeastern coastline and provides some spectacular views of the Tobagonian coastline. Dinner at 18.00hrs is followed by a de-briefing session and further training opportunities. A small bar is open from 18.00 to 22.00hrs for the sale of drinks. At 22.00hrs the expedition base is secured for the night and the lights go off. That is, if you're not joining a turtle patrol on one of the nearby beaches! The patrols ensure the protection of vulnerable nesting Leatherback and Hawksbill turtles from illegal poaching.

Upon completion of the various initial training courses provided to volunteers upon arrival (e.g. the core Skills Development Training Programme), at weekends the expedition team can take life just a little bit easier. Saturdays are reserved for recreational diving and optional advanced SCUBA skills development courses (up to PADI Dive Master certification). Saturday night is party night with a bar extension. Expect fancy dress, trips to the nearest cocktail bar and bbq's on secret beach! Sunday's are reserved for additional training activities, base camp maintenance chores and equipment servicing in preparation for the following weeks survey work.

For safety reasons, Sunday is a no diving day. We organise trips to the waterfalls or rainforest treks once science and SCUBA training have been completed. Sundays are also used to organise trips to local schools where the younger generation is taught about coral reef ecology and its significance through a series of games, interactive lectures and a puppet show.