AQUACULTURE INTERNSHIP

The old reef doctor volunteer programmes of EcoDiver, Research Assistant (RA), Mangrove, Aquaculture and RA DiveMaster Internships will not be running between 2022 and 2023. New volunteer opportunity launching soon, ‘The Reef Doctor Collaborative Research Initiative’ Details will be on the website by mid October 2022 with first expedition ready for mid November 2022 start with flexible start dates throughout 2023.

Our Aquaculture Internship is on offer for those looking to gain unique fieldwork experience in our exciting community-based aquaculture and socio-economic development programmes. This position allows people with a keen interest in this field, but with limited experience, to gain their first steps in this exciting but demanding discipline. We offer 2, 3, and 6 month internship positions.

As an Aquaculture Intern, you will be supporting our Sustainable Livelihoods Programme. The aim of this programme is to implement a bay-wide aquaculture project to assist in the transition towards sustainable marine-based livelihoods and provide a pathway to poverty alleviation within local communities. We are providing communities with the tools, resources and support to develop a robust sea cucumber and seaweed aquaculture programme in the Bay of Ranobe with the capacity of providing guaranteed market access, food security, economic growth, and wealth for rural fishing communities.

What you can expect to undertake as a Reef Doctor Aquaculture Intern:

Attend lectures and training to gain a full grasp of our Sustainable Livelihoods Project objectives, goals, and outcomes.

Intensive language training in the local Vezo Malagasy dialogue to help you communicate with local communities.

Implementation and expansion of community sea cucumber and seaweed farms.

Maintenance of existing seaweed and sea cucumber farms.

Collection of biological data on sea cucumbers and seaweed with the aim of improving productivity.

Conduct environmental monitoring at seaweed and sea cucumber sites using YSI equipment, a weather station, and HOBO loggers to monitor the effects on growth/production.

Assist with community training and awareness programmes in the field.

Day-to-day aquaculture team work (e.g., building projects, sourcing material, attending community meetings).

Developing material for community outreach programs (e.g., posters, presentations).

Assist in our turtle conservation project (turtle tagging, collection of data, and documentation).

Gain knowledge and experience in the customs of south-west Madagascar’s coastal Vezo populations by living and working in close association with the communities.

Develop our seaweed cooking programme; recipe development, community training and aid communities with business development initiatives and implementation of products for sale in the villages.

Undertake socio-economic surveys of community members involved in aquaculture.

Data documentation and report writing.

Help the team actively involve Junior Reef Doctors in the aquaculture projects.

Visit our sea cucumber farming satellite sites in the Bay of Ranobe; our satellite camps are in isolated communities and therefore living conditions are extremely basic.

Prices range from £1500-£2500. Full pricing and further information can be found by downloading our Internship Guide below.