For those with a deep love for the ocean and its preservation, Global Vision International, the social enterprise and volunteer travel specialists, offer a series of all-encompassing marine conservation projects to inspire and inform volunteers. With World Oceans Day taking place on 8 June 2016, now is the time to embark on an educational journey with GVI and gain valuable insight into complex marine ecosystems, acquiring skills in researching, protecting and preserving the environment.
Each of GVI’s projects and objectives align with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals – a set of coherent objectives focused on sustainable development in the economic, social and environmental fields. With GVI’s vast array of marine projects, adhering to ‘Goal 14: Life below water’, volunteers are encouraged to make long term contributions towards the key global issues saturating the worlds waters. Extensive research, tracking marine life and data collection is the prime focus for each project.
World Oceans Day focuses on a different theme each year – the theme for 2016 is ‘Healthy Oceans, Healthy Planet”. Organisations around the world are promoting prevention of plastic ocean pollution by holding events within their communities to spread this important message. Volunteers can take their involvement in World Oceans Day one step further with GVI and its active and immersive marine conservation experiences in some of the world’s most spectacular locations:
Marine Conservation Expedition in the Seychelles (4-12 weeks)
Volunteers can travel to the clear waters of the Indian Ocean to work on critical marine conservation projects and research amongst the stunning islands of the Seychelles. Whilst contributing towards various conservation-related surveys providing data to the local government on coral reef research, invertebrate surveys and turtle breeding areas, whale shark tracking and migration observations, in-water turtle surveys and turtle nesting research. Volunteers can also achieve their PADI Advanced and PADI Coral Reef Diver qualifications.
Programmes for 2016 depart on 25th June, 23rd July, 20th August, 17th September, 15th October & 12th November and cost from £2,050pp* for 4 weeks.
Marine Conservation Expedition in Mexico (4-24 weeks)
On the marine conservation expedition in the azure waters of the Caribbean coast of Mexico, volunteers will be able make a serious and measurable impact under the water whilst working on and monitoring the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. The team will work directly on monitoring the overall health of the reef as well as contributing to fish monitoring, data collection and developing a fantastic knowledge of this fascinating underwater environment. Research dives that explore an array of sites along the coast brimming marine life as well as raising the environmental awareness of the local community are just some of the highlights.
Programmes for 2016 depart on 25th June, 23rd July, 20th August, 17th September & 15th October & 12th November and cost from £1,795pp* for 4 weeks.
Thailand Coastal Conservation Expedition (2-24 weeks)
Volunteers will travel to the stunning coastal province of Phang Nga to assist in the conservation of its coastal and marine ecosystems as a hands-on member of an international team. This expedition offers volunteers a well-rounded insight into the conservation issues facing the region and the measures GVI teams are undertaking in response. Highlights include developing a full education on sustainable and environmental conservation, the exploration of coral reefs and the discovery and tracking of an abundance of marine species.
Programmes for 2016 depart on 25th June, 23rd July, 20th August, 17th September, 15th October, 12th November & 10th December and cost from £1,045pp* for 4 weeks.
*All projects include the following:
Pre-departure support and discounted services, 24-hour emergency phone, airport pick-up (unless otherwise stated), arrival orientation, long term experienced staff, safe and basic accommodations (usually shared), all meals (unless otherwise stated in field manuals), welcome meeting, location orientation, all necessary project training by experienced staff, all necessary project equipment and materials, 24-hour in-country support.
* What’s not included:
Flights, medical and travel insurance, visa costs, personal kit, additional drinks and gratuities, extra local excursions, international and domestic airport taxes.
To learn more about GVI’s volunteer projects visit http://www.gvi.co.uk/volunteer-abroad/projects/ or to find out more about GVI and the programmes they offer, check out www.gviworld.com.