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The
MCSS whale shark monitoring programme will be run slightly
differently in 2008 with six internships being offered on a
full-season basis. This is largely how the 2007 season
operated, but in view of the large amount of data that is
now being captured a more structured approach has become
necessary.
The
internship programme will last for 10 weeks from 24th
August to 31st October. The first week will be an
orientation and training week, week two will hopefully be
getting some practice whale shark trips and helping the
pilots set up the micro-light aircraft, and as of week
three (Sept 7th) the monitoring activities proper will be
implemented.
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Beverley
coming to grips with whale shark encounter data
entry, 2006.
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The
six interns will work as two teams, one for each
monitoring boat, and each team will be supervised by a
team leader who in turn will work under the project
leader. Duty days will be on a roster allowing one full
day off every week. The interns will be accommodated at
the MCSS premises on the coast at Glacis, NW Mahe on a
self-catering basis. The two team leaders have already
been selected from the monitoring team volunteers from
last year and both have considerable monitoring and
volunteer organisational experience. The six internship
places are currently open to applicants who should contact
MCSS for further details and an internship application
form.
The
interns’ training and duties will cover the full range
of activities associated with the MCSS whale shark
monitoring programme including:
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The
Seychelles
whale shark programme:- findings, achievements, why it
exists
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Basic
whale shark information and biology
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Whale
shark data collection:- filling out forms, writing up
data, the systems and spreadsheets
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Photo
identification:- sorting and filing images,
pre-process preparation, matching software
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Snorkel
training and water skills development for whale shark
activities (subject to qualifications)
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Communications
training:- between micro-light and boat and between
boats
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Boat
operations:- logistics, protocols and safety
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Micro-light
aerial survey support and data handling, software use
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Environmental
monitoring equipment use, data capture and handling
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Study
area orientation and geography
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Observer
duty in the microlight. Self-portrait James
Thompson |
This
internship programme is aimed at providing a competent
team who will be able to develop the maximum amount of
data from the
Seychelles
monitoring programme which in turn will be fed into the
cooperative regional and global conservation initiatives
that this programme supports.
The
only specific requirements for applicants are that they
must be able to swim well and be prepared to work hard.
All applications must be made on the internship
application form where applicants should provide as much
supportive information about themselves as possible.
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