Marine Volunteering
The following is a list of opportunities for volunteering in marine conservation with the Wildlife Trusts in the South East and other organisations. The list will grow and change as time goes on.
WANTED: Volunteer divers to survey marine habitats.
Seasearch
Seasearch involves volunteer divers identifying important marine habitats and recording wildlife, with the aim of identifying Marine Sites of Nature Conservation Importance.
For more information about the national Seasearch project visit www.seasearch.org.uk.
To get involved you need to be a BSAC Sport Diver or the SAA or PADI equivalent. All other training is provided. Seasearch training and organised dives in the South East are carried out by:
Sussex
Contact: Dr. Kate Cole, East Sussex Coastal Biodiversity Project. Tel: 07786 171465 Email: kate.cole@eastsussex.gov.uk.
Kent Wildlife Trust
Contact: BTCV on 01233 812033. Email: kent@btcv.org.uk
Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust
Contact: Jolyon Chesworth Email: feedback@hwt.org.uk
Seasearch website page: click here
WANTED: Volunteers to record intertidal organisms
Shoresearch
Shoresearch involves volunteers identifying and recording plants and animals of the intertidal zone. The aim of the scheme is to build a comprehensive baseline of data on intertidal wildlife around the South East, to enable us to assess and then monitor the state of our shore life and identify where changes are occurring.
Shoresearch training and organised events are carried out by:
Kent Wildlife Trust
Email: info@kentwildlife.org.uk.
Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust
Email: feedback@hwt.org.uk.
WANTED: Volunteers to help keep our beaches clean
Adopt-a-Beach and Beachwatch
Adopt-a-Beach is a coastal environmental initiative organised by the Marine Conservation Society (MCS), involving local individuals, groups and communities in caring for their coastal environment. Anyone in the UK can adopt their favourite stretch of coast and take part in quarterly beach cleans and surveys to monitor litter throughout the year and help reduce litter at source. For more information visit www.adoptabeach.org.uk.
WANTED: Volunteers to assist with marine mammal sightings scheme.
Marine Mammal Sighting Scheme
Seen a dolphin, whale or seal off the coast of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight? We need your sightings! The marine mammals sighting scheme encourages members of the public to report their sightings and standings of marine mammals such as whales, dolphins and seals.
Marine mammals are protected by British and European law, but they still face serious threats from commercial fishing, climate change, habitat loss and pollution. All sightings are entered onto the databases of the South Coast Seal Project and the Dorset Marine Mammal Research Programme. Details will also be submitted to the Sea Watch Foundation’s Database. Your information will help us gain a better understanding of the marine mammals that use our waters and the threats they face, so that we may protect them.
Periodic sighting surveys for seals, porpoises, dolphins and whales in the South East are organised by the Sea Watch Foundation. Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust also participates in this programme with the recording form and more information being available on their website.
Wanted: Volunteer marine mammal medics
British Divers Marine Life Rescue
BDMLR organise regular training days providing skills necessary to assist in the rescue of stranded marine mammals. For more information on joining BDMLR go to their website at www.bdmlr.org.uk
Volunteering England
Volunteering England is a useful source of information for those who are considering volunteering. Their website includes a comprehensive FAQ section, as well as information about volunteering in your area. Go to www.volunteering.org.uk.
