Volunteer for an Award Winning Marine Conservation NGO

  Fiji

Rural Areas

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: 2009 Onwards

Description: Following on from the success of ongoing conservation activities in Madagacasgar, Blue Ventures are proud to announce a new expedition to the Fijian island of Leleuvia beginning in Febuary 2009. This expedition will give you the opportunity to dive in some of the most spectacular and biodiverse waters in the world that play host to a whole range of Marine life from Hawksbill turtles to Humpback Whales.

Leleuevia is located in the Lomaiviti island group, located to the east of Viti Levu, the largest of Fiji's islands. The majority of Blue Ventures research projects are reliant on the input of overseas volunteers. We accept volunteers of all ages and nationalities and in return offer full dive training up to a minimum certification of PADI advanced open water along the opportunity to do it in the midsts of one of the planets most pristine marine ecosystems . In addition to volunteers, the site is staffed by international Blue Ventures scientists as well as local Fijian research staff.

The aim of this venture, like all Blue Ventures projects is to make a substantial, positive and long-term contribution to the development of Marine Conservation strategies on a local and national level. We work in close partnerships with numerous local and national authorities to ensure that the work carried out by Blue Ventures staff and volunteers helps to not just conserve the local environment, but to provide local communities with the tools to ensure that the biodiversity of the surrounding waters is preserved for future generations.

Highlights:
* Diving in some of the most spectacular waters in the world.
* Helping to preserve local nesting sites of the Critically endangered Hawksbill turtle.
* The opportunity to go whale watching in an important Migration passage for Humpback Whales in the South Pacific.
* Learning to dive in Warm, crystal clear waters with a cornucopia of Coral and reef inhabitants surrounding you.
* Visiting a country with a rich and diverse history and getting first hand experience of a culture and people that have been fascinating visitors since Captain James Cook first set foot on Fiji in 1774.

Qualifications: No formal qualifications are needed for this expedition. All dive training is provided on-site as well as all training needed to record and identify marine life in the waters surrounding Leleuvia. The only prerequisites are a good standard of physical fitness, the ability to pass a swim test and a desire to work as part of team in a remote and challenging environment. Whether you have a background in Marine Science or not, anyone is welcome to join a Blue Ventures expedition.

Cost in US$: From ﾣ1,800 for 4 weeks

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18-70

This Program is open to American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Fiji Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Phone Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records

Post Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad

Year Founded: 2001