Vacancy Marine Conservation in Thailand

Contribute to marine conservation initiatives whilst living on a tropical island. Make a difference to conservation efforts, whilst learning - includes dive courses & conservation training.

What will I be doing?

Volunteers work with a conservation research team integrated with the local community, encouraging awareness campaigns and producing valuable published research. Daily activities may include:

* Reef health surveys (Ecological Monitoring Program)
* Biorock coral rehabilitation and coral nursery
* Artificial reef construction / maintenance
* Giant clam nursery
* Sea turtle ‘head starter programme’ and releases
* Surveys and monitoring of specific species including seahorses, invertebrates and coral predators such as crown of thorns starfish
* Water testing
* Coral spawning capture and culture program

If you are a beginner diver on arrival you will spend your first week training and achieving your SSI Open Water and Advanced certification. During your placement you will also obtain conservation course certificates.

You will be based in a relaxed and friendly village on the south side of the island, the project and volunteer accommodation are located close to the beach.

For students looking to do a research project, it is possible to join an internship programme if you stay 8 weeks +

How is the Marine Conservation project making a difference?

Coral Reefs cover less than 2% of the ocean floor but support 25% of all marine life. They are the most biologically diverse ecosystems on earth, but also one of the most threatened. Research is the only way to get a true idea of what the problems are and what needs to be done to alleviate them.

The Marine Conservation team is active on two fronts; surveying the reefs and collecting data in Koh Tao, as well as implementing a range of restoration projects and community engagement initiatives. They work in partnership with local government authorities and universities to provide data for key decision makers in marine conservation, coastal protection and fisheries in Thailand.