The Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre (CBMWC) is recruiting a
volunteers to become part of the ShoreFin Team throughout the 2016 field
season (March-November). Initiated in 2014 ShoreFin is our dedicated
land-based bottlenose dolphin photo-identification (Photo-ID) project
whose aim is to build up an understanding of bottlenose dolphin site
usage within the New Quay bay area, to find out which individuals visit
New Quay bay and to find out more about the ecology and life history of
these animals.
Building on our work from the 2014 season the ShoreFin team will be responsible for conducting opportunistic land-based photo-ID of bottlenose dolphins in the New Quay harbour area and for sorting, matching and cataloguing the images captured along with those taken during our boat surveys. At the end of the project you will be expected to produce a detailed report of the findings from the project. Our ShoreFin Project reports are available to download from our website (www.cbmwc.org/shore-fin-project).
About CBMWC
The Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre is based in New Quay, west Wales, UK. Since 1996 we have been dedicated to raising awareness of the local marine environment through education and research. Using boat-based and land-based surveys, photo-ID and acoustic studies we monitor bottlenose dolphin, harbour porpoise and Atlantic grey seal populations in the Cardigan Bay Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and wider Irish Sea. We also run a busy visitor centre as well as an education and activity room which offers marine educational and awareness raising activities for families, school and groups. In April 2015 we became part of the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales and will be delivering the trusts Living Seas programme.
What You Will Gain
Volunteering for the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales at CBMWC is a fantastic opportunity for you to make a positive contribution to marine wildlife conservation and meet new people who share your interests. You will learn about the species and habitats in Cardigan Bay, gain experience in field work, wildlife photography, photo ID, data entry, report writing and much more. You will receive training in land and boat based marine mammal surveys, use of a digital SLR camera and photo ID software. Past volunteers have gone on to further education, work as MMO's and to work for conservation and government organisations.
Tasks include:
Responsible for photographing the bottlenose dolphins (and other marine mammals) in New Quay bay Responsible for sorting, matching and cataloguing bottlenose dolphin photographs taken from land and boat surveys Analyse data and write the ShoreFin end of season project report Maintain up to date procedures for all aspects of CBMWC photo-ID work Assist with compiling the CBMWC bottlenose dolphin photo-ID catalogue Provide regular updates and images for our Facebook and Twitter feeds Provide information for our dolphin adoption scheme Provide regular project updates to the CBMWC Science Officer You may also be requested to assist with other aspects of our work, such as field surveys, data entry, manning our visitor centre and educational activities.
Essential skills and qualifications:
Experience with digital SLR cameras and wildlife photography Mature and responsible attitude as you will be using expensive camera and computer equipment Proactive with the ability to work independently and unsupervised Flexible approach to work as you will be required to work outside of normal office hours Ability to work closely with others as part of a small team IT skills An interest in wildlife and conservation Excellent verbal and written communication skills Fluency in English Ability to work and live closely with others as part of a small team
Desirable skills
Experience using ArcGIS
Experience of statistical analysis
Report writing skills
An interest and knowledge of British cetaceans A background in biology/marine biology/environmental science
Volunteering Dates:
The successful applicants must be available to start on 14th March (or as soon as possible) and volunteer for the entire field season until 31st October. Flexibility in working hours is essential as the photography work will need to be undertaken opportunistically when the dolphins are in the survey area so you must be prepared to work outside of normal working hours.
Volunteer fee:
An administration fee of £45 will be required from all successful applicants.
Accommodation and expenses:
Shared accommodation in a comfortable and fully equipped house will be arranged for successful volunteers (where required) at a cost of £55 per week, including bills. Please be aware that volunteersshare same sex bedrooms. Volunteers are responsible for their own food, travel and accommodation costs.
Due to payment arrangements with the house owners, accommodation costs are required in advance to cover the cost of each block so before applying please ensure that you can cover this and all other expenses.
To apply:
Download a volunteer application form from our website www.cbmwc.org/volunteer/shorefin-volunteers and email it along with a CV and covering letter (no more than one side of A4) outlining how you meet the personal specification and your motivations for applying to volunteer@cbmwc.org with ‘ShoreFin Volunteer 2016’ in your subject line.
Position will be filled as soon as suitable applicant is found.
For further information
Visit www.cbmwc.org
If you have any questions please email volunteer@cbmwc.org with an appropriate subject line or call Laura on 01545 560224.
Our volunteering programme is supported by the Volunteering in Wales Fund via Wales Council for Voluntary Action.
Building on our work from the 2014 season the ShoreFin team will be responsible for conducting opportunistic land-based photo-ID of bottlenose dolphins in the New Quay harbour area and for sorting, matching and cataloguing the images captured along with those taken during our boat surveys. At the end of the project you will be expected to produce a detailed report of the findings from the project. Our ShoreFin Project reports are available to download from our website (www.cbmwc.org/shore-fin-project).
About CBMWC
The Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre is based in New Quay, west Wales, UK. Since 1996 we have been dedicated to raising awareness of the local marine environment through education and research. Using boat-based and land-based surveys, photo-ID and acoustic studies we monitor bottlenose dolphin, harbour porpoise and Atlantic grey seal populations in the Cardigan Bay Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and wider Irish Sea. We also run a busy visitor centre as well as an education and activity room which offers marine educational and awareness raising activities for families, school and groups. In April 2015 we became part of the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales and will be delivering the trusts Living Seas programme.
What You Will Gain
Volunteering for the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales at CBMWC is a fantastic opportunity for you to make a positive contribution to marine wildlife conservation and meet new people who share your interests. You will learn about the species and habitats in Cardigan Bay, gain experience in field work, wildlife photography, photo ID, data entry, report writing and much more. You will receive training in land and boat based marine mammal surveys, use of a digital SLR camera and photo ID software. Past volunteers have gone on to further education, work as MMO's and to work for conservation and government organisations.
Tasks include:
Responsible for photographing the bottlenose dolphins (and other marine mammals) in New Quay bay Responsible for sorting, matching and cataloguing bottlenose dolphin photographs taken from land and boat surveys Analyse data and write the ShoreFin end of season project report Maintain up to date procedures for all aspects of CBMWC photo-ID work Assist with compiling the CBMWC bottlenose dolphin photo-ID catalogue Provide regular updates and images for our Facebook and Twitter feeds Provide information for our dolphin adoption scheme Provide regular project updates to the CBMWC Science Officer You may also be requested to assist with other aspects of our work, such as field surveys, data entry, manning our visitor centre and educational activities.
Essential skills and qualifications:
Experience with digital SLR cameras and wildlife photography Mature and responsible attitude as you will be using expensive camera and computer equipment Proactive with the ability to work independently and unsupervised Flexible approach to work as you will be required to work outside of normal office hours Ability to work closely with others as part of a small team IT skills An interest in wildlife and conservation Excellent verbal and written communication skills Fluency in English Ability to work and live closely with others as part of a small team
Desirable skills
Experience using ArcGIS
Experience of statistical analysis
Report writing skills
An interest and knowledge of British cetaceans A background in biology/marine biology/environmental science
Volunteering Dates:
The successful applicants must be available to start on 14th March (or as soon as possible) and volunteer for the entire field season until 31st October. Flexibility in working hours is essential as the photography work will need to be undertaken opportunistically when the dolphins are in the survey area so you must be prepared to work outside of normal working hours.
Volunteer fee:
An administration fee of £45 will be required from all successful applicants.
Accommodation and expenses:
Shared accommodation in a comfortable and fully equipped house will be arranged for successful volunteers (where required) at a cost of £55 per week, including bills. Please be aware that volunteersshare same sex bedrooms. Volunteers are responsible for their own food, travel and accommodation costs.
Due to payment arrangements with the house owners, accommodation costs are required in advance to cover the cost of each block so before applying please ensure that you can cover this and all other expenses.
To apply:
Download a volunteer application form from our website www.cbmwc.org/volunteer/shorefin-volunteers and email it along with a CV and covering letter (no more than one side of A4) outlining how you meet the personal specification and your motivations for applying to volunteer@cbmwc.org with ‘ShoreFin Volunteer 2016’ in your subject line.
Position will be filled as soon as suitable applicant is found.
For further information
Visit www.cbmwc.org
If you have any questions please email volunteer@cbmwc.org with an appropriate subject line or call Laura on 01545 560224.
Our volunteering programme is supported by the Volunteering in Wales Fund via Wales Council for Voluntary Action.