Hawksbill Turtles of the Great Barrier Reef

  Australia

• Great Barrier Reef: 
Great Barrier Reef
• Queensland: 
Cairns

Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: Inquire for specific dates

Description: Monitoring key nesting and foraging populations of a critically endangered species to develop sustainable management plans.

The Great Barrier Reef's biodiversity is legendary, including 400 types of coral, 1,500 species of fishes, and 4,000 species of mollusks. It is also a precious habitat for the region's hawksbill turtles, which are critically endangered due to commercial demand in Asia for tortoiseshell products, harvesting of eggs by people, predation by feral pigs, and degradation of nesting and foraging habitats. You can help turtle researcher Ian Bell explore the population dynamics of one of the largest concentrations of foraging hawksbill turtles on the Great Barrier Reef, and possibly the world. This is a fantastic opportunity to explore marine life at pristine, remote tropical islands in the midst of this hotspot of marine biodiversity.

Field Conditions: The Great Barrier Reef is renowned for its breathtaking beauty, and this project offers access to very remote islands and reefs, rarely visited by travelers. Teams will camp in tents on or near the beach. There will be a large shady marquis tent with tables and chairs, a gas fridge and freezer, a well set-up camp kitchen for shared food preparation, and an outdoor shower. There is ample opportunity for snorkeling on the reef off the beach, lying under shady trees, bird watching, and beach fishing during the foraging turtle surveys.

Highlights: Austral summer teams (January/February) will focus on turtles nesting on the beaches of Milman Island. Volunteers will observe turtles as they emerge from the sea at night, dig their nests, and then lay their eggs. Volunteers will count eggs and intercept the turtles on their way back to the ocean to tag and measure them. July teams will assess hawksbill foraging populations in the Howick Group by traveling widely by boat over the reefs, locating turtles and then assisting with their capture. Then volunteers will tag, measure, and weigh each one before assisting them back into the sea. Teams will work in collaboration with coastal indigenous communities, which have traditionally hunted marine turtles and collected their eggs, facilitating a broader view of sustainable hunting methods.

Qualifications: Earthwatch volunteers are enthusiastic to learn about the research topic and are willing to contribute their time and energy to support leading scientists in conducting field research. Volunteers will be trained upon arrival at the research site. There is no upper age limit, yet all volunteers must be at least 16 years old, and in some cases 18 or 21 years old.

Cost in US$: $3,046

As a non-profit organization that supports scientific research, the SOC can be tax-deductible for U.S. citizens in some cases. Contact Earthwatch for details. U.S. members of Earthwatch are eligible for a $100 reduction of the SOC.

Please select the Earthwatch website link shown above to view the SOC for this project.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Earthwatch expeditions appeal to a variety of people: educators gain new knowledge and develop exciting lesson plans; students explore career options and build research skills; writers, photographers and artists contribute their skills and share their experiences through a variety of media; businessmen and women, doctors and nurses, engineers, homemakers, retirees, people from all walks of life choose to volunteer on research expeditions each year. Volunteers are actively engaged on a daily basis with the research project, develop global perspectives, and explore new cultures and environments.

Age Range: 18+

This Program is open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Australia Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 6-8

Application Process Involves:

• Other
• Phone Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Written Application

Earthwatch Institute's Mission Statement: Earthwatch Institute engages people worldwide in scientific field research and education to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment. Through a unique method of funding, the volunteers Share of Cost contributes directly to the support of the research projects. Earthwatch enables scientists to pursue research goals and members of the public to gain hands-on experience with science. Each year, over 4,000 people from 46 countries directly contribute to scientific research by working alongside scientists, local community members and other volunteers. Earthwatch volunteers can track sea turtles; join archaeological digs; observe animal behavior; collect rare plants, study dolphin behavior and more. The Earthwatch community also includes 20,000 global members, 4,000 eager volunteers each year, 50 collaborating conservation organizations, and 50 corporate partners, all of whom work together to make a difference. Below you will find out more about our leadership, employment opportunities, and contact information.

Year Founded: 1971