Location: Ligurian Sea, Italy

Language: English (primary), Italian

Description of course: Research conducted since 1990 focuses on the spatial distribution, habitat preferences, ecology and behaviour by cetacean species living in the continental slope and offshore waters of the Pelagos Sanctuary. Field techniques include individual photo-identification, remote tracking, acoustics, distance sampling, behavioural sampling, remote sampling of skin biopsies, mark-recapture analyses and the use of time-depth recorders. Work is done from the 21m motorsailer "Pelagos", a functional and highly-comfortable platform. Participants live side-by-side with experienced researchers helping them actively with data collection and processing.

Duration: 6 days

Facilities: 21.0 m motorsailer (accommodation on board), 2.8 m inflatable boat

Indicative costs: €790-880 including food, depending on period. Special price for students.

Conditions for participation: Age 18+; minors may be accepted if escorted by a parent or an adult delegated by the parents; good level of English; must be able to swim.

Web site: http://www.tethys.org

Contact for additional information:
Tethys Research Institute
Viale G.B. Gadio 2
20121 Milano, Italy
E-mail: tethys@tethys.org