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Dolphin

COUNTRY:
Greece
LOCATION:
Ionian Sea
DEPARTURES:
PRICE:
From €695 - €745 (6 days) excluding flights
MORE INFO:
Discount price €645 - €695 for students (under 26) on some courses. Price includes all meals at the field station for the duration of the course
VOUCHERS:
Gift vouchers can not be used with this holiday
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Dolphin

Dolphin

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

The work carried out by this project is producing science-based information, aimed to contribute towards dolphin conservation in the Mediterranean Sea. In 2003 and 2005, the Mediterranean common dolphin population was listed as 'Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and included in Appendix I of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species. You will be part of a scientific team and will learn about marine conservation priorities, apply advanced dolphin investigation methods and help with research at sea.

During your days at the project's field station you won’t feel like a tourist. You will be part of a scientific team sharing the same commitment and conservation goals. You will learn about marine conservation priorities, apply advanced dolphin investigation methods and get a feeling of research at sea while enjoying the beautiful landscape and lifestyle of one of the most beautiful historical villages in Greece.

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 the Cetacean Alliance and 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.

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Dolphin

Reviewed 20 Jul 2010 by Isabelle Puygrenier4 star rating

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?


So many good memories... From meeting participants from all around the world, to the observation of majestic marine mammals. This operator is such a great example of personal commitment and enthusiasm.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?


Switch off from your everyday life, enjoy every minute of this great experience, and think of how you can help.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?


The purpose of the Cetacean Sanctuary Research is to collect field data on marine mammals such as fin whales and sperm whales. It is part of a long-term project.

Reviewed 02 Jun 2009 by Michael Long5 star rating

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?


Seeing the cetaceans in their natural environment and also the amount we learnt about the animals.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?


You don't need to take as many clothes as I did! Make sure you have got good sea legs and really enjoy it when you see the cetaceans!

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?


Yes.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?


FANTASTIC! Already looking to do it again!

Reviewed 09 Oct 2008 by Andy Pieroux5 star rating

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?


I'm pleased to say almost all of it. I wrote a lengthy description on the blog which I hope gives more of a flavour of the emotions too. To see dolphins in their natural environment is a wonderful experience, and the learning and understanding I gained from the amazing, passionate and friendly team made it complete. I also learned a lot about research - the value it can have and why discipline is important in field work - I'm sure I was taught this at school many years ago, but this trip brought it all to life for me. For someone who spends far too much of their time in an office, driving a desk this holiday was the most refreshing and energising thing I've done in a long time.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?


The instructions given by the operator are really really good - follow the instructions and you wont go wrong. This is not a touristy dolphin watching holiday so don't expect to be entertained as you would at a holiday camp. As long as you are willing to join in and respect the fact that you are with people at work then you will have a fantastic time - the people are amazing, the island is lovely and the dolphins are beautiful - if you are happy to be a part of their team and join in you will love it.

Getting there - check in advance which busses are running from Athens that day - I ended up having to get a taxi from Messalonggi - not the end of the world, but not the easiest either. The bus station in Athens is also out of the centre of town and not the easiest to get to. Take a Lonely Planet or Rough Guide book if you want to spend any time in Athens on the way as its not the easiest city to get around.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?


Absolutely - the people you are living and researching with are very concerned for the environment in a pragmatic and non-preachy kind of way. Everything is handled sensibly and they care about the effect they have on their surroundings. I hope the results of the research will show the world that the damage that over fishing and unsustainable fishing can have on the environment and on the local artisan fishermen should be controlled and can be reversed. I learned that in a week, so I'm sure governments and authorities can be persuaded too…

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?


Simply wonderful. Like watching the best nature programme on TV, and realising that you are a part of it, and that you can ask questions too. An amazing week. Thank you.

Reviewed 20 Sep 2007 by Michael Spragg5 star rating

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?


It's an incredible privilege to see dolphins in their natural environment.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?


This is a break from what you normally do, but do consider why you're doing it - it's quite hard work! Early starts, long periods concentrating in the sun. Having said that, it's absolutely brilliant - the operator guys are excellent and it's a really worthwhile project.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?


Greece makes a big thing of having dolphins - this project is a major contributing factor in making sure that dolphins remain in the area. The benefit is enormous.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?


Fantastic experience - I really enjoyed it.
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