Location: Almeria, Spain

Language: English

Description of course: This project is focused on the monitoring of cetacean populations in the Alboran Sea. Participants work together with the research team and they are involved in all the aspects of the research program: looking out for cetaceans, listening on the hydrophone for dolphin whistles, analyzing the sea water for salt, oxygen and chlorophyll, checking the fish-finder and echo-sounder, filling in notebooks, entering data on the computer, and plotting positions on the chart are the main activities. During encounters with cetaceans, duties may include: recording sounds, filming the dolphins' underwater behaviour, driving zodiac, taking notes on behaviour and social pattern, helping with photo-identification, and tracking dolphin movements.

Duration: 12 days

Facilities: Accommodation on the research sailing boat

Indicative costs: €1495-2025

Conditions for participation: Age 16+

Web site: http://www.earthwatch.org/site/pp2.asp?c=crLQK3PHLsF&b=1192245