thebahamasweekly.com - Volunteer Assistant Needed for Reef Fish Study in The Bahamas

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Opportunities
Volunteer Assistant Needed for Reef Fish Study in The Bahamas
By BluePlanetDivers.org
Mar 18, 2008 - 10:25:08 PM

BluePlanetDivers.org - Over the past several years coral reef communities in The Bahamas have been rapidly invaded by Indo-Pacific lionfish (Pterois spp.). These venomous piscivores are predicted to spread rapidly around the Caribbean basin. The goal of this project is to establish a link between the distribution and diet of invasive lionfish and the physical and biotic assemblages of the shallow reefs they inhabit in The Bahamas. The results of this field study will allow the identification of biotic and physical characteristics of coral reefs that are favourable for lionfish invasion, as well as document the impact of lionfish on reef sites where they are already established.

Where: New Providence, Bahamas
When: May – July, 2008

Duties:
Assistant will participate in all aspects of the field research, including fish and benthic community surveys, fish capture, tagging and dissection, data recording and data entry. Household duties (i.e. cooking, cleaning and equipment maintenance) will be shared between myself and the assistant. All field surveys will be done in collaboration with a local SCUBA dive operator, and assistant must be willing to help with dive shop duties such as gear maintenance and set up, as well as act as an ambassador for the project to the public.

Qualifications:
The successful applicant will be a physically fit individual who is comfortable working long hours on and in the water. A advanced SCUBA certification is essential and extensive experience/certification is preferred. This is an excellent opportunity for divers interested in field ecology to gain a range of practical experience.

Room & board and dive costs will be covered for the assistant on New Providence, but the assistant is responsible for travel costs to and from Nassau, Bahamas.

If interested, please contact Stephanie Green via email for more information. To apply, please send a resume and contact information for two references.