Marine conservation expedition, Timor-Leste

Volunteer in a unique natural paradise & contribute to critical marine conservation

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Duration

3-12 weeks

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Price

£2600 (6 weeks for open-water qualified divers)

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Location

Atauro Island

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Provider

Blue Ventures

In brief

Volunteer with Blue Ventures and contribute to critical marine conservation in a country at the heart of the Coral Triangle, home to the highest diversity of marine life on earth.

The waters of Timor-Leste are a biodiversity hotspot and a global marine conservation priority, yet data on the status of the marine ecosystem is severely lacking.

Blue Ventures’ volunteers assist our team of scientists with the collection of marine inventory data completing research dives in previously unsurveyed waters.

Please note that volunteers for our Timor-Leste expedition are required to be Open Water level divers on arrival. We are happy to advise on the options available to volunteers interested in the Timor-Leste expedition who are currently unqualified divers.

Bathed by the deep waters of the Banda and Timorese seas, Timor-Leste forms the world-famous Coral Triangle. While it covers less than 2% of the earth’s oceans, the Coral Triangle hosts more than 75% of all known coral species, almost 40% of all known coral-reef fish species, more than 50% of the world’s coral reefs.

As well as surveying the status of the coral reefs, particular attention will be paid to threatened seagrass beds, this habitat, home to numerous vulnerable species, serves as a vital feeding ground and nursery area for reef fish and for six out of the seven world’s existing turtle species, which occur in the Coral Triangle.

All of the science and dive training throughout the expedition is designed and delivered by our experienced team.

Informal lectures, workshops, group discussions and practical exercises will guide you through the programme and provide you with the skills and knowledge required to carry out underwater research dives and contribute to our work.

Environmental protection and stability is deeply enshrined in the Timorese culture, due to their long standing relationship with the ocean and their reliance on the sea for food and income. Due to climate change, globalisation and overfishing, there is now a critical need to collaborate with coastal communities, government agencies, and other conservation and development organisations to build the island’s capacity for effective marine management.

“It was the best experience money can buy and I want to go back in time to do it again.” Harrison Root, 2017 Timor-Leste volunteer

Expedition volunteers are at the heart of everything we do and we’d love to have you join us!

Website: Marine conservation expedition, Timor-Leste

Interested? Then make an enquiry.

Email: [email protected]