The Ecological Center of Akumal (CEA) is
now accepting volunteers for the Coral Reef Monitoring Program. Akumal is
located in the Mexican Caribbean, on the eastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula
and the program brings a great opportunity for students who are looking for
field experience in reef ecology and biodiversity conservation.
Our mission is to help create a model for sustainable tourism development in the Mexican Caribbean through research, education and outreach. The main goal of CEA’s Reef Monitoring program is to collect comprehensive data of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef in the region of Akumal.
We run 3 monitoring phases per year,
therefore we ask for a minimum 3 month commitment. Volunteers will participate
in the following activities:
- Theoretical background on the ecology of
the Mesoamerican Reef System.
- Training in coral, benthic and fish
species and diseases identification following AGRRA (http://www.agrra.org/) and SAM (http://www.mbrs.doe.gov.bz/) methodologies.
- Monitoring of Akumal´s Reef on
SCUBA
- Data
analysis
- Data
collection in the Marine Management Community Program of Akumal Bay
(POBAK)
- Participation in the Environmental Education Program
Monitoring data will be used to assess the
reef health status and to create a historical record of the anthropogenic impact
on the bay. Volunteers can expect to gain a vast amount of field and data
analysis experience with ecological purposes. They will be an active part of
every activity from the Coastal Ecosystem Program and CEA. Dissertation students
and researchers are also welcome.
We expect our volunteers to be Open Water
Divers (or equivalent), however it’s possible to get certified in
Akumal.
Our next phase will start mid-October until mid-December 2014.
Our next phase will start mid-October until mid-December 2014.
CEA web page: http://www.ceakumal.org/index.php/es/
CEA
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CEA.AKUMAL?fref=ts
Best regards,
