Marine volunteer and scuba internship opportunities

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Project Director: Stephen Lyon

Stephen founded the Pacific Islands Conservation Initiative to help communities better understand and conserve their environment. The Aitutaki Lagoon Monitoring Project lies at the heart of this intent, combining the facets of sustainable tourism, environmental research, diving, snorkelling and adventure to deliver information not previously available to the Aitutaki Island Council while providing a unique and wonderful experience for the projects participants.

Chief Science Officer/ Science Officer: Dr. Mareike Sudek

Marieke Sudek Mareike was born in Germany and even though she didn’t grow up near the ocean she always felt a strong bond to the ocean and its inhabitants. When she was 21 she left Germany to earn her Bachelor’s Degree in Marine Biology and Zoology from the University of Wales, Bangor in the UK and then moved on to receive her PhD in Marine Biology (specializing in coral disease) from Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand. Most of her PhD field work was conducted in Hawaii in connection with the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology.

Mareike has a strong background in marine monitoring and a passion for outreach and marine conservation. She is super excited to combine these interests to help achieve the goals of the Aitutaki Lagoon Monitoring Project and give the eco-volunteers an unforgettable experience!

Expedition Leader: Shaun Gilmore

Shaun grew up in New Zealand and has worked in many fields. He is currently employed as a dive instructor, and has a high level of organisational and mechanical compentency, a requirement for remote island expedition work. Shaun is personable and approachable, and is looking forward to the challenge of leading this expedition. He is excited to be part of the Aitutaki Lagoon Monitoring Project and he will provide excellent guidance and ensure the safety of the divers during the expedition!

Duration :

3 weeks to 5 weeks depending on the expedition

Expedition Type :

Marine survey using snorkel and scuba

Location :

Aitutaki, Cook Islands

Fly to :

Autitaki, Cook Islands via Rarotonga Cook Islands.

Expedition dates :

We are currently in the process of developing an expedition schedule for late 2016 and beyond.

We are making some changes and improvements to the programme including building a new boat and upgrading the accommodation choice.

Cost :

3 week expedition : NZ$1950

Whats included :

All accomodation and meals* for the duration of the expedition

All scuba equipment required for diving

Training in marine survey techniques

All transfers to and from the airport and the accommodation lodge in Akaiami

Daily survey dives and snorkelling

Lodge style accommodation on Akaiami Motu

Weekly opportunities for community engagement

*Social meals away from the expedition base not included

Contact :

Ph +682 22450
Our office is on Cook Islands Time CKT GMT-10

expeditions@picionline.org

Available for Skype calls on request

The Aitutaki Lagoon Monitoring Project is a project of the Pacific Islands Conservation Initiative. PICI is a Non-Profit organisation based in the Cook Islands working in areas of environmental research, conservation and education. Our philosophy is that for conservation to work it must be driven by the local communities that live in these remote islands. To that end the Aitutaki Lagoon Monitoring Project intends to use science to develop a long term data set to assist with the management of the Aitutaki Lagoon by the people of the island.