MARINE-LIFE CONSERVATION
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Marine-Life Conservation in Thailand
Thailand’s waters are home to some incredible ecosystems, marine-life, and coral. However, the waters around the South of the country are abused with dumping of rubbish, plastics, and pollution leading to the destruction of this wonderful underwater world. Conserving this delicate ecosystem is essential for the animals and coral to continue to thrive and maintain the extraordinary and unique waters around Thailand. From sharks to seahorses and turtles, the numbers of animals who call these waters their home is declining year on year. It is up to us to stop the destruction of their habitat and to seek a solution to the worsening crises in Thailand’s waters.
The solution to this crises is volunteer, educate, and work to preserve the waters around Thailand. Our project helps to maintain the beauty and diversity of the marine-life in Thailand. Through research, protection, restoration, and education, a real difference can be made to the ecosystems that surround the country. The work undertaken by the volunteers who participate in our programs is essential to the protection of the complex and diverse life under the clear waters off Thailand’s coasts. Volunteers can make a real difference to the present and future of marine-life while also learning about the unique challenges faced by life in this corner of the globe. Thailand’s world-renowned beaches and waters are under threat and it is up to us to help!
Our Ocean, Our Responsibility
There are two main objectives for Thailand Volunteer’s Marine-Life Conservation Program: to survey the ecosystems of the reefs around the coast of Thailand and to implement long-term solutions and initiatives to protect the oceans and its inhabitants. While each day on site is completely different, there are several aspects to volunteering in this program:
Research
Research & Conservation Activities includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Monitoring and collecting data of ecosystems
- Culturing and spawning coral
- Researching threats to local species
- Reporting on coral bleaching and diseases
- Observation and research for seahorses
Restoration
Restoration & Protection Activities includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Construction, installation & maintenance of artificial reef
- Nurseries for giant clams
- Nurseries for juvenile sea turtles
- Nurseries for coral
- Coastline & Underwater clean-ups
Awareness
Awareness & Educational Activities includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Studying the effects of pollution in Thailand’s waters
- Leading & Participating in educational talks
- Teaching local children to about marine-life conservation
- Teaching local children to dive
- Educating the local community
Diving
The Marine-Life Conservation Program requires diving as part of the conservation work. Therefore, applicants must have at least a SSI open Water and Advanced Adventurer qualification or equivalent.
If you do not have any qualifications, you can complete a course during your first few days on-site to gain experience before participating in conservation work. Volunteers who already have the qualifications may start conservation work immediately.
PROGRAM DETAILS
The Marine Program takes place on the beautiful island of Koh Tao in the south of Thailand. You will be amazed at how much you can learn in just 1 week of marine conservation with us. However, we also offer 2, 3, and 4 week courses for those who want to extend their stay. We provide students with a thorough overview of coral reef research and restoration techniques used by professionals around the world, and also include several recognition card options through Conservation Diver. By joining, students can become more aware of global threats to coral reefs and about what can be done about these. Furthermore, students contribute to conservation efforts here on Koh Tao, including research and restoration projects, and learn valuable skills which they will take with them and apply in other areas around the globe.
1 Week Course
Recognition Card:
Various options available through Conservation Diver, one card included with course price.
Description:
Join the marine conservation team on daily activities for 5 days (Monday -Friday, December 15th-October 15th). Each day begins with a talk and presentation on a different topic of coral reef research, protection, or restoration; and is followed by a dive to practice the methods and techniques on one of our on-going project sites. The daily schedule will change based on the projects and restoration being conducted at the time, but generally is as follows:
- Introduction to Marine Ecosystems and Ecology (dive to identify Marine Invertebrates in accordance with the Ecological Monitoring)
- Climate change impact on coral reefs and basics of Mineral Accretion Devices (dive to maintain and transplant corals to a mineral accretion device)
- Artificial Reef Basics (dive to transplant corals on to and maintain artificial reefs)
- Coral Nursery Basics and maintenance (dive to transplant corals on and off the coral nursery)
- Seahorse Population Monitoring (Muck dive to survey for seahorses)
- Giant Calm and Sea Turtle Nurseries and head-starting program, seahorse surveys, and much more
Program Includes:
Dive Equipment Rental, boat and tank fees, Lecture/Presentation on theory, certification, course materials relevant to dives completed. Does not include food, travel, or airfare.
Course Requirements:
To begin one of the NHRCP dive courses you must be certified by PADI or SSI as an Advanced Level Diver.
2 Week Course
Recognition Card:
Various options available through Conservation Diver, Two (2) cards included with course price
Description:
In the 2 week program, divers receive a basic certification in marine ecology and conservation theory, and get to participate and learn about many of our marine conservation topics. The standard 2-week schedule includes all of the dives from the 1 Week program plus the following additional topics/dives (note that schedules are for example only and can vary, not all programs are available year round):
- Giant Clam Nursery basics and maintenance (dive to maintain giant clam nurseries and to asses giant clam health and abundance in reef areas)
- Climate Change and Threats to reef health, Advanced biorock techniques (dive to monitor and collect data on the Hin Fai Biorock)
- Advanced artificial reef Techniques (dive to asses various artificial reef types and methods around the island
- Basic coral anatomy and assessing reef health and coral coverage (dive to complete the EMP substrate monitoring dive for coral growth forms, health, and abundance)
- Advanced coral nursery techniques (dive to collect data and transplant corals from nurseries to the natural reef areas)
Program Includes:
Dive Equipment Rental, Lecture/Presentation on theory, certification, Course materials, the Ecological Monitoring Program Manual and Slate, and a DVD of pictures from the dives.
Course Requirements:
To begin one of the NHRCP dive courses you must be certified by PADI or SSI as an Advanced Level Diver.
3 Week Course
Recognition Card:
Various options available through Conservation Diver, Three (3) cards included with course price ask us for more details.
Description:
For students wishing to get more in depth understanding of coral reef management and conservation techniques, includes all of the dives described in the 1 & 2 Week programs, plus the following additional dives/lectures (note that schedules are for example only and can vary, not all programs are available year round):
- Coral Diseases and compromised health states (dive to asses and identify states of compromised health or coral diseases
- Drupella Snails: Assessing levels of coral predation and balance on the reef (dive to survey and collect Drupella snails from areas where abundance is too high)
- Monitoring coral growth rates using photography (dive to photograph tagged corals on the Hin Fai Biorock or other artificial reefs)
- Advanced coral restoration techniques – Coral Spawning and reproduction (dive to asses coral fecundity and success of various restoration projects)
- Water quality sampling and testing (coupled with other dives being conducted on that day)
Programs Includes:
Dive Equipment Rental, Lecture/Presentation on theory, certification, Course materials, the Ecological Monitoring Program Manual and Slate, and a DVD of pictures from the dives.
Course Requirements:
To begin one of the NHRCP dive courses you must be certified by PADI or SSI as an Advanced Level Diver.
4 Week Course
Recognition Card:
Various options available through Conservation Diver, Four (4) cards included with course price ask us for more details.
Description:
For students wishing to get more in-depth understanding of coral reef management and conservation techniques, gain entry level certification to join with other reef management groups, or start their own conservation program. Includes all of the dives described in the 1, 2, & 3 Week programs, plus the following additional skills/topics (note that schedules are for example only and can vary, not all programs are available year round):
- Assessing coral reef health and abundance using photography and the CPCe computer program
- Data entry and analysis
- Reef sampling techniques
- Coral recruitment studies
- Constructing artificial reefs and coral nurseries
Program Includes:
Dive Equipment Rental, Lecture/Presentation on theory, certification, Course materials, the Ecological Monitoring Program Manual and Slate.
Course Requirements:
To begin one of the NHRCP dive courses you must be certified by PADI or SSI as an Advanced Level Diver.