Whale Shark Conservation in the Maldives

The project:
Located at the heart of the Indian Ocean, the islands of the Maldives are an excellent habitat for the largest fish on earth: the whale shark. The Maldives is almost the only place on earth where they can be observed year round. They face a growing number of threats and are now considered a vulnerable species: Finning, pollution affecting the natural ecosystems of the coral reef, accidents involving boats and uncontrolled tourism are the four main dangers facing the whale shark around the world.

Your tasks:
You will be significantly involved in the whale shark conservation project. Throughout your time as a volunteer, you will live and work on a research vessel, roaming the waters off the Maldivian coast. You will spend at least four days a week on a smaller boat called the Dhoni looking out for whale sharks with other volunteers. Your group will be responsible for checking population levels, taking photos and measuring the whale sharks. Whale sharks may look intimidating, but they pose no danger to humans!

In addition to monitoring the animals, you will also get to grips with data entry. The information that you gather on your excursions have to be sorted and entered into a database.

You will have one day off per week during the project. Spend your free time relaxing on heavenly sandbanks, go snorkelling or diving.

Accommodation:
During your time as a volunteer, you will live on a spacious research vessel. Here you will share a cabin with another person. You will be accommodated with someone of your own gender whenever possible. Each cabin has its own bathroom. You will be served meals on the vessel. Some of these can be pretty spicy, but milder alternatives are also available.

Services:
• Placement in the project
• Assistance with travel arrangements
• Assistance with selecting travel insurance
• Assistance with booking flights
• Pre-departure information pack
• Island Arrival Tax
• Green Tax
• Airport pick up and drop off
• Accommodation during the project (research vessel)
• All meals during the project
• English-speaking support by long-term experienced staff
• 24/7 support throughout the project