Greece: Monitoring sea turtles in the foraging area of Amvrakikos bay

About the local hosting organization

ARCHELON, a nonprofit conservation organization active since 1983, runs a number of volunteer projects for the protection of sea turtles and their habitats in Greece every year. More than 500 international volunteers per year participate in our projects, including about 30 field leaders. Every year we are entering in internship agreements with 70 Universities and other educational establishments from all over the world.

Presentation of the programme

During this project, volunteers will collect and record data on captured sea turtles, and then return them to the sea. Volunteers will receive training on how to safely and efficiently capture the turtles so that neither they nor you are overly stressed.• Every morning, a team of three will go out in the dinghy into the Bay for the entire day. They will be going around spotting turtles which are either visible under the water surface or popping their heads out to breathe.• One of the team members will dive into the shallow water, capture the turtle and return it to the dinghy, where it will be measured and tagged, relevant data will be recorded, and it will quickly be released back into the sea.• Volunteers might also participate in turtle distribution surveys, involving point surveys from set locations around the gulf.

About the accomodation

The fee for accommodation is included in the participation fee.The accommodation will be in shared rooms in visitor centre of the Environmental Center of Koprena, with electricity and running water. Some cooking facilities will be provided.

About the food

Sandwiches for the lunch break will be prepared by the team on board.

About the location

Amvrakikos bay, Kopraina Amvrakikos Bay is a semi-enclosed inland ‘sea’ in the northwestern part of Greece. It is made up of salt water entering from the sea, and fresh water and sediments deposited by the Arachthos, Louros, Vovos and Krikeliotis rivers. The Bay has a warm climate, shallow waters, many shallow lagoons, and marshlands. All these conditions favour the development of local flora and fauna, making the Bay one of the most important wetlands of Europe.

About the leisure activities

During their free time, volunteers can go swimming, snorkeling or explore the area. Other interesting activities are birdwatching in Amvrakikos, or an excursion to the cities of Preveza and Parga.

Requirements

1. Applicants must be over 18 years old.2. They must be able to communicate fluently in English and must be covered by a personal health insurance policy.3. A combination of participation in more than one projects is possible if the duration of stay in the second/ third of them is 4 weeks or longer.4. Volunteers must bring their own camping gear (e.g. sleeping bag, tent, torch, alarm clock, etc).5. Volunteers must commit to 4 weeks6. Volunteers must be prepared to take part in a communal life, and to live and work in both populated and secluded areas, often as members of small teams and usually under harsh conditions.7. Although relevant experience is not necessary, the ability to live and co-operate with people of different cultures and backgrounds is essential.8. As with all projects, volunteers are expected to cover their travel and personal costs along with their food expenses.9. Volunteers must know how to swim and be comfortable jumping into the sea from a boat.