Aquaculture Technician

  Panama

Bocas del Toro

Duration of Program: 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 7-12 months
Dates: 6/08-12/09

Description: This is an aquaculture training project for the indigenous peoples of Bocas del Toro. SBT is working in cooperation with the Panamanian government to develop a project owned by indigenous peoples (Ngobe Indians), which will provide food and income, while relieving over fishing of the reefs. We are currently at the final site selection stage and preparing to create our first ponds. We need a person(s) with technical experience in tilapia pond farming. This person would be instrumental in the system design, creation, and daily operations. They would continue as the lead technician at this site and for other future sites (the success of this project will allow us to acquire aid for other village sites). They would train the indigenous staff and owners in the necessary maintenance and care of the site and fish. We would hope to make fish food from resources available on site to defray fish food costs. We have to date located a willing Ngobe village for the project, help create a legal entity within an Ngobe Indian village for the project, conducted a local marketing survey with samples provided by the government, and secured private financing. This person would live at the site while the ponds were being created and much of the time thereafter, as required. The first site is located 35 minutes from the town of Bocas. Lodging would be either home stay or in one of our cabins if available.

Highlights: The chance to help indigenous peoples run and own their own business. This business will provide a sustainable model for other sites. The Ngobe will benefit from the food produced, income derived from the fish, and the firsthand knowledge of how to run a business. The Ngobe derive most of their food from the amazing reefs surrounding their islands. Their populations are increasing as is the pressure on the reefs to provide. This project will provide an alternative solution to over fishing the reefs and thus benefit the environment. You will be a part of that opportunity and have the future possibility to stay with the organization in a paid position.

You will have the opportunity to live and see how another culture answers the questions of daily survival and benefits from the experiences of our western culture.

You will have the opportunity to walk on some of the most undisturbed and beautiful beaches and swim on some of the least climatically affected reefs, left in the tropical world. You will see animals beyond the "Discovery Channel". You will gain a sense of peace from the quiet afternoons. And more importantly, you will come to see if you can rise to a challenge.

Qualifications:
* Experience in aquaculture, specifically tilapia.
* Spanish/English speaking a plus.
* Able to commit to the project for a minimum of 3 months.
* Able to teach others.
* Provide your own medical insurance.

Cost in US$: $100 per week

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: yes

Experience in tilapia farming or related aquaculture fields.

Typical Volunteer: Someone with technical aquaculture field experience. Experience in foreign countries is a plus. Must care for the environment and be sensitive to the indigenous culture. Typically, speaks Spanish as well as English. Able to effectively communicate with peers and trainees. Easy going personality and able to create in the field "MacGuyver-like".

Age Range: Open

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

Participants Travel to Panama Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 2-3

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Phone Interview
• Resume
• Written Application

Soluciones Biotecnologicas Tropicales (SBT)'s Mission Statement: We are an organization dedicated to providing educational opportunities (primarily to remotely located Indigenous Ngobe Indian children), community access to health professionals and services, and promoting environmental conservation, and cultural preservation. Our motto is one powerful word, "hope". SBT wishes to provide a realistic hope for a common future for the peoples and the environment of Bocas del Toro. Our long-term plan is that successful models or techniques developed and tested here would then be available to other areas of Panama and other developing nations through the power of the Internet and written articles.

Year Founded: 2005