Overview
Volunteer on seal conservation programs in Turkey

Located on the south east coast of Turkey in an area rich in biological diversity, this marine science project takes volunteers to learn about the area’s precious ecosystem and implement conservation measures to protect Mediterranean Monk Seals (only 300 of which remain worldwide). Among the most endangered mammals on the planet, this effort to protect the monk seals is one of the more crucial conservation opportunities around. As part of your voluntary work you will collect empirical data to support scientific research and track the influx from the Red Sea of exotic species and the effects global warming is having on the Mediterranean habitat. You can learn extensive field skills and gain valuable experience in the field of marine biology as you study the behavior and ecology of these elusive creatures, and help an initiative promoting eco-friendly fishing methods.

View Film Footage, images, blogs, volunteer stories from the field, volunteer video diaries and more at the programs media centre

Learning about this threatened species is crucial to their protection.

Marine Protected Area spokesman, 2006

What Difference Does This Project Make?

By joining this project you will help the scientists by providing much needed manpower and funding to keep their studies going. The scientific research is vital to the conservation of one of the most endangered species in the world, as well as to the preservation of the precious ecosystem and in helping to implement conservation measures to protect the habitat. Working with the local fishing villages helps to offer the locals other forms of sustainable fishing methods and enables them to sell their wares to environmentally conscious customers.

Highlights

A great first step in a career in practical conservation, or a way to make a lasting one-off contribution to the preservation of endangered Mediterranean Monk Seal species. Experience in working alongside a renowned group of marine biologists, learning extensive field skills and conservation issues. Become thoroughly immersed in the Turkish culture, language, food and religion, including those of small fishing communities.

Location

The project area is located in the North-eastern Mediterranean on the south coast of Turkey. The research is being directed from two headquarters: both of which are located in the region of Mersin which is a major harbor city on the south coast of Turkey. The fishing co-operative is in the village of Meydan, 4 km from the Syrian border near Antakya.

Field Conditions

When in transition between the project sites, volunteers will stay at the headquarters and share a room with one of the staff members. Hot water and electricity are available 24 hours a day, plus cable TV and internet. Volunteers do their own cooking in the fully equipped public kitchen, shared by the students living in the campus. There is also a washing machine and three refrigerators within the kitchen for communal use.

During project cruises on the research vessel, electricity is available most of the time. There are no hot water or laundry facilities on the vessel but, depending on the project location, you will be put up in local small family-run hotels and pensions. Cooking is done in a small kitchen onboard. There are three small cabins, which sleep two people each. In the summer volunteers may sleep on the deck in sleeping bags. During seal observation expeditions, you may overnight in the wild in tents, with tinned food and no electricity.