Minimum stay at project of 4 months 

 

 

Following an exploratory trip in 2012 to confirm the presence of whale sharks in Panaon Island, LAMAVE decided to set up a base in Pintuyan in February 2013. Since then, our team has conducted annual research and conservation work during the whale shark season. The seasons run from November to July and are highly dictated by the southwest monsoon. The core elements of LAMAVEs research include monitoring the presence of whale sharks, as well as conducting in-water behavioural surveys and tourist compliance surveys in the area. We also work closely with the local community by conducting capacity building activities and encouraging sustainable practices.

 

The team work a 6-day week, with one day off a week. The survey work is run on a rotation basis, so a general week will be a mixture of in-water and on-land days. An average day starts at 7am and work generally finished by 6pm, or once tasks are complete. Weather dependent, you will be in the water 2-3 days and on land 3 days a week. During an average survey day you will conduct in-water surveys and collect photo-identification data of whale sharks. Researchers join tourist boat visiting the area, and thus surveys are limited by weather and frequency of visiting tourist boats. Depending on research priorities some dedicated LAMAVE surveys may be organised. Volunteers must be strong swimmers and feel comfortable swimming in the ocean for prolonged periods of time. Surveys generally last for 3-4 hours, during which local guides and spotters will look for whale shark sightings, and on locating a whale shark, researchers will enter the water with tourists.