MARINElife, the European marine conservation research charity, is seeking new volunteers to observe marine wildlife such as dolphins as part of vital new survey work in the North Sea. A training day is available on the 25th February 2012.
As scientists are becoming more aware of the importance of the North Sea to whales, dolphins and seabirds, MARINElife is expanding its essential network of scientific research in collaboration with the ferry company DFDS Seaways in this area between the UK and Scandinavia. On three of its commercial shipping routes out from Immingham in Lincolnshire, new volunteers with a passion and experience in marine wildlife are needed to join our team of ferry-based research surveyors. Taking part provides a chance for volunteers to contribute to a vital scientific research project and develop their own survey and identification skills.
To support MARINElife, Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust is kindly providing facilities at the Far Ings Visitor Centre for MARINElife to run a land-based training session for potential research surveyors in how to monitor whales, dolphins and seabirds scientifically on Saturday 25thth February 2012.
The core work of MARINElife since 1995 has been in researching the distribution, abundance and population trends for whales, dolphins and seabirds from commercial vessels in the Channel, Bay of Biscay, North Sea, Irish Sea and beyond. Volunteers play a crucial role in helping collect scientific data on the current status of such animals. This in turn helps MARINElife to recommend how to best conserve their populations to policy makers.
The MARINElife training event is being run by their experienced research team leaders and is open to people from Lincolnshire, North Yorkshire and beyond. It will provide training on the identification of whales, dolphins and seabirds as well as conduct on the ferries as a representative of MARINElife and how to record scientific data when at sea. We would suggest that having some experience of marine wildlife observation, particularly with whales, dolphins and seabirds, would be a distinct advantage. This training will be complemented with more rigorous scientific training at sea under the guidance of experienced team leaders. Expert training ensures that all data collected during ongoing MARINElife research projects is of the same rigorous quality and continues to be at the forefront of current scientific best practice.
Anyone with the relevant experience wishing to join the training event on Saturday 25th February 2012 is invited to contact Tricia Dendle, MARINElife Administrator, for further details and booking information. There is a booking and attendance charge of £30 per person, payable in advance. Registered Wildlife Trust volunteers can book for just £25. Tricia can be contacted at tricia.dendle@marine-life.org.uk.
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