Marine Conservationist

We have a unique marine environment here and some of it has never been surveyed before. We can guarantee you you'll make a genuine difference to its conservation. We are currently working on multiple activities directly in line with marine conservation and research. For all the below projects, we give you full training and support to get you up to a level where your data can be used within our reports and publications. Usually, our volunteers are involved in multiple activities within different projects, hence the followed multiple description. However, we always give the possibility to focus on one project if the volunteer wants it. Ø Shellfish Reef restoration: This project has the potential to greatly improve the whole ecosystem by filtering the water, creating fish aggregation zones, building anti-trawling devices and possibly providing an alternative livelihood to illegal and small-scale fisherman by increasing the quantity of Oyster and Mussel beds in Kep province. We are deploying more than a hundred underwater structures, demarcate with bamboo fish aggregation devices, around the new Marine Fisheries Management Area. Ø The first seahorse assessment and population mapping of the Kep Archipelago, in collaboration with Project Seahorse and Tse-Lynn Loh (Postdoctoral Research Associate). Ø Reef monitoring program: Our reef surveys aim at determining the level and consequences of human-induced impacts on coral reefs, based on the indicators developed of Reef Check International. To do so, we are monitoring the marine ecosystem through 3 types of survey: fish, invertebrate and substrate survey. We are conducting those surveys every year around 3 different islands within Kep Archipelago (Koh Seh, Koh Angkrong, Koh Makprang). Ø The Cambodian Marine Mammal Conservation Project: Cambodia's first long term marine mammal research program. The Project was initiated in September 2017, with support from the Dolphin Division of Cambodia's Fisheries Administration. The project's primary aim is to collect data on abundance, distribution and residency to delineate and protect critical habitats for the Irrawaddy dolphin in Cambodia's Kep Archipelago. Ø Outreach project: our education project aims to bring the subject or marine ecology into local communities. To do so, we work in partnership with local schools where we run sessions on different marine topics to capture student’s imagination through creative and engaging activities. Ø Seagrass Project: This project aims to map the extent, species composition and abundance of seagrasses across the Kep archipelago. Starting at Koh Seh, the seagrass project works to better understand seagrass ecology over different temporal and spatial scales, including assessments of species growth rates, reproductive cycles and response to damage. Working with the seagrass squad you would contribute toward directing protected area zone management, identify biodiversity hotspots and threat-spots, and inform strategies for meadow expansion. At the same time, we are providing multiple research possibilities for anybody with relevant experience (or enough time preparation before arrival here) intending to stay for an extensive period. For these potential projects, we are looking for people with initiative, leadership and creativity. If it is something you would be interested in, you would have to design the whole project from A to Z. We would be here to support you and give you advice if needed of course. This is the opportunity to be your own project director, challenge yourself outside the box and be a scientific pioneer in this field As you might have realized already, most of our activities happen underwater, for which you need a minimum of Advanced Adventurer (SSI), Advanced Open Water Diver (PADI) or equivalent certification. If you do not have those certifications yet, you will be at the best place to earn them as we have highly qualified and experienced diving team on the island. The diving course fees are extra over the volunteer contribution as follows: - SSI Open Water Diver and SSI Advanced Adventurer course combined US$550 - SSI Advanced Adventurer (provided you already hold an Open Water Diver card) US$300. Once again, we are not a business and we are reinvesting all the money we can find to save the archipelago and its unique ecosystems. We guarantee you will see clearly where your money goes once you arrive. If you can’t afford those fees, let us know how you can make positive changes to the ocean in Cambodia and we will try to work something out. Please remember though it is your contribution that keeps the wheels turning and allows not only you but also us, to continue making a difference and changing the tide of destruction that affects our Oceans. Typical day The typical day always depends on the specific missions we have to complete plus the weather and diving conditions. Therefore, we are organizing a new schedule every Monday that fits what we need to accomplish for the week. Volunteer participates both in land activities (presentations, artificial reef building, dolphin surveys, beach clean etc.) or underwater ones if the visibility allows it (scientific surveys, artificial reef deployment, fun dive etc.). Free-time activities We are the only one to live on this island. As long as you respect everyone that lives within our community, you are free to do what you want, play a volleyball game, complete personal work, read in the hammocks, explore the jungle, dive and snorkel, gardening, building anything you need etc. Your only limit is your imagination, we live in a giant sandbox and you can experiment whatever you want in it.