Responsible Tourism

Marine Ecology Programme: 2-8 weeks duration

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Highlights of this Programme

Dive spectacular coral reefs, encounter whale sharks and dolphins, kayak through mangrove lagoons and trek remote beaches whilst working as a volunteer alongside marine biologists and conservation specialists. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the amazing biodiversity of the underwater world -and all without needing prior experience or scientific knowledge!
The data you gather will be used by visiting and resident scientists at the Utila Centre for Marine Ecology (UCME), a Honduran registered non-governmental organisation that bridges the gap between applied scientific research and community based conservation. UCME conducts and supports progressive research to further our understanding of marine and island ecosystems and the biodiversity they support, in partnership with national and international Universities and regional Institutions.
The 4 week ecology programme includes a rotating set of projects encompassing several areas of tropical marine and island research and will include a mixture of SCUBA, boat based and terrestrial work. Volunteers participate in local community education projects. The first week teaches you all the skills you will need. 2 weeks is the minimum length of stay; 4 and 8 are standard but additional weeks can be added to suit.
If you are not already qualified to PADI advanced open water standard, come a week early for tailored training with Utila Dive Centre.

Example of Itinerary

Week 1:
Monday - arrive on Utila late afternoon; settle into shared volunteer house before an introductory welcome from UCME staff
Rest of week 1; Ecology and Survey Training Programme:
A week long course of multi-media presentations and field study sessions that will teach you about tropical marine ecology and train you in the techniques you'll need to work in the on-going research and monitoring programmes

Weeks 2-4: Marine Ecology Programme:
Take part in a rotating set of projects working side by side with marine biologists and conservation specialists conducting research to better understand and conserve threatened ecosystems. Projects encompass several areas of tropical marine and island research and will include a mixture of SCUBA, boat based and terrestrial work. There are two rotations a day. Some rotations involve working with the island community education programme or helping in the UCME office, entering data or answering enquiries from casual visitors.

Weekends: Saturdays at leisure (or leave at end of programme); Sundays - opportunity for fun dives (no extra cost) or at leisure.

Benefits of joining this programme

UCME is a Honduran registered NGO supporting the local economy and providing opportunities for students from Latin America to carry out fieldwork for their research which otherwise they would not be able to access. These students are than able to increase the understanding of marine conservation in their own countries.

UCME strives to improve the welfare and economic growth of Utila and Honduras by supporting the management and sustainable use of marine biodiversity. It is part of and completely integrated with the local community, working closely to ensure they understand, support and directly benefit from the outputs of the Centre. Volunteers are fully briefed on the relevance of all projects and their role in the sustainability and effective management of the island's fragile resources. UCME staff and volunteers also write regular articles on a range of ecological topics relevant to the island for both local and national papers and produce education and awareness materials including posters, pamphlets and multi-media presentations for dissemination to the local community and for visitors to the island.

Volunteers work hard, but have the satisfaction of knowing that they have contributed to meaningful and focused research. Your own knowledge and understanding of these amazing, but fragile, ecosystems will have increased; you will have learnt new research and diving skills so that your diving will gain a whole new perspective; and you will be working as part of an enthusiastic team, each reliant on the other for successful results.

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