Volunteering For Ocean Conservation Projects In Africa

By Harold Moore


Whale sharks are quite simply enormous and are the largest fish species currently in existence. They are a slow-moving filter feeding shark and the largest ever confirmed was measured at 12.65 meters in length and weighing in at more than 21.5 tonnes, although it is thought that there are even larger ones patrolling the oceans. Ocean Conservation assists in their continued existence.

Work with Orcas or the fearsome Great White Sharks, and swim with the dolphins and whales, learning about their habitat and how to safely work with them. All this will be extremely valuable for your future career - and you will have a whole lot of fun too!

Research the Orcas- Working with Orcas in Africa involves not only hands-on research but also educating the community further about these marvelous creatures. As a volunteer, you will be deeply involved in all forms of research and help develop long-term strategies to ensure the survival of the Orca. You will be taking too much time in the water, diving and collecting samples and having lots of contact with all different types of sea creatures, not just Orcas. You will work on projects cleaning up the coastline and participate in lessons teaching about marine preservation and its importance to the future of Africa.

In 1997 the government in the Maldives produced a report which said that there was to be more research into the preservation of the coral reefs and the fish and other invertebrates living in and around it so that it could remain in the pristine condition you currently find it. For this reason, there are many preservation projects currently in place across the archipelago and whale sharks are one of their main subjects.

Offshore oil exploration is a danger to the seas and the seas. The world relies on oil and the fact that there is a multitude of crude oil off the shore of many countries makes offshore drilling very profitable for oil production companies. But it takes only one mistake to cause an environmental disaster.

Swimming with the Dolphins and Whales- When you think of the residents of the sea, you are likely to think of dolphins or whales, the seas most popular sea creatures. Unfortunately, both these are under threat and have become the focus of wildlife preservation groups. You can play a role in the study of these creatures and learn more about them and the efforts to preserve them.

The whale shark is currently targeted by many commercial fisheries, the overall population of this particular fish is unknown, and along with six other species of shark, it is considered as vulnerable. Although they continue to be hunted in many areas for commercial purposes, the fishing, selling, importing and exporting of the species has been banned in the Philippines, India, and Taiwan. With more conservation wildlife projects taking place, hopefully, eventually the population will be recorded, allowing there to be some more hard facts on the future of the whale shark.

As the seas are complex environments, your work in preservation can virtually take any shape or focus. Depending on your interests, your experience could include working with fish, mammals, invertebrates, coral, mangroves, sea grass, fisheries or even communities that depend on the fishing industry. Location-wise, you could help out in a local UK coastal town or even volunteer to do some work in preservation in some of the world's more exotic locations.




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