Marine Research Volunteer

  Madagascar

Andavadoaka

Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: Continuous

Description: Blue Ventures is an award winning not-for-profit organisation dedicated to facilitating projects and expeditions that enhance global marine conservation and research.

The field research of Blue Ventures projects is carried out by our overseas volunteers, who work closely with our field research scientists and camp staff. Every 6 weeks a new team of volunteers arrives at the field site, ensuring year-round sustainability of our research in the region. Here, volunteers will learn the true meaning of marine conservation. As a member of the expedition team, you will be involved in all aspects of the expedition. You will learn about the fascinating ecosystems in the area, collect data whilst diving, and work with local communities, schools, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and marine institutes towards implementing and maintaining sustainable local environmental management plans. Blue Ventures and its partners in Andavadoaka recently added to the collection of awards that the work has received so far, winning the prestigious SEED Award at the United Nations in New York.

Aside from the 'work' that each volunteer undertakes, expedition life involves living in one of the most breathtakingly beautiful places in the world and interacting with a local indigenous community that has lived in the same way for many hundreds of years. Volunteers stay in comfortable eco-cabins overlooking a lagoon, and in addition to the daily research activities there are hundreds of other distractions including snorkelling, sailing local pirogues (traditional canoes), teaching in the village school, playing football against the local team, exploring nearby forests teeming with wildlife, camping on desert islands and relaxing in hammocks on deserted beaches.

Highlights: Discovering the unique flora and fauna of Madagascar. Working with a dynamic group of people. Working and living alongside local communities. SCUBA diving in the crystal clear waters of Madagascar. Living on a beach. Learning about some of the issues surrounding sustainable development. Making new friends.

Qualifications: We do not require any formal qualifications from our volunteers.

Cost in US$: From 2,250 dollars for 3 weeks

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: We have worked with volunteers of all ages, backgrounds and nationalities, many of whom have no scientific, biological or SCUBA training. Our expeditions provide a challenging educational experience that assist in successfully advancing volunteers' careers as skilled professionals and globally aware citizens. We are able to assist student volunteers wishing to carry out undergraduate and postgraduate research projects during their time with Blue Ventures.

Age Range: 18+ if SCUBA diving

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Madagascar Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups of Average group size of 18

Application Process Involves:

• Phone Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad

Blue Ventures's Mission Statement: To give coastal communities the knowledge and skills they need to live sustainably.

Year Founded: 2001