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Updated on: 23/Mar/09

VOLUNTEER PROGRAM DESCRIPTION MARINE CONSERVATION

ECUADOR BRIEF PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The project takes place at Machalilla National Park. This Park has unique features that make it the most important marine area in Ecuador as well as the only protected area of the coast. Due to the lack of resources and information, it has been extremely difficult to conserve the zone. Inside the National Park you can find the Isla de la Plata. This island has an abundance of bird life including seabirds, blue and red footed bobbies, pelicans and frigate birds as well as albatrosses. The Marine Conservation Center started its work in December of 2004. This organization was born as a consequence of the urgent need to conserve the marine resources and ecosystems of Ecuador and to train and work with the community as well as with governmental institutions. Volunteers at the Marine Conservation Center are the ones who keep the project running. Volunteers are involved in fieldwork, on land and in water. Volunteers work with the species that needs to be conserved as well as with the community showing them techniques and giving them information about environmental protection.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS For an extra cost you can be part of the following activities: * Enjoy snorkeling at the Isla de la Plata. Bring your equipment or rent it at a local place and enjoy the coral reefs as well as a swim with the local dolphins that parade themselves frequently around this area. There are also some very nice 3-4 hour walks on the island as well as pre-Colombian sites housing various pottery finds. * Go for a day trip to Puerto Cayo. There are some very good whale watching tours as well as relaxing beaches, this area is reached via a northerly route from Machalilla where the road heads towards Jipijapa. * Enjoy Los Frailes beach! This beach is considered one of the best on the whole pacific coastline and is just a 30-minute amble from the bus heading to Jipijapa.

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A DAY AT THE PROGRAM HOURS ACTIVITIES

7am-8am Breakfast at the volunteer house 8am-12pm Work at the center on a number of projects alongside the local staff 12pm-1pm Lunch 1pm-4pm Continue your morning work 5pm-6pm Free time to relax 6pm-7pm Dinner

7pm and on Free time to relax, explore the surroundings *This is just an exemplary daily itinerary. All activities scheduled above are subject to change.

PROGRAM FOCUS LOCATION (Province and Town) Animal Rescue Center ______________ ______________ Social ______________ ______________ Adventure ______________ ______________ Environmental Marine Conservation Manabi, Puerto Lopez Construction/Building ______________ ______________ Sports ______________ ______________

PROJECT/ORGANIZATION/INSTITUTION DESCRIPTION Organization Marine Conservation Center Location of the Organization Machalilla National Park Non-profit/private/public organization Non-profit Number of employees 8 Approx. 1. DESCRIBE THE POPULATION/COMMUNITY THAT THE INSTITUTION PROVIDES ITS

SERVICES TO. IN CASE OF RESCUE CENTERS OR ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDE THE TYPE OF ANIMALS AND ENVIRONMENT IT WORKS WITH.

The Marine Conservation Center focuses on helping the local community to understand the importance of marine ecosystems and works directly with the marine species in danger by using investigation, monitoring and tagging techniques. 2. SERVICES THAT THE ORGANIZATION/INSTITUTION PROVIDES (DESCRIPTION) The services that the Marine Conservation Center provides are: • Work towards helping the marine ecosystems in various projects such as: beach and

underwater clean-up, coral mapping, monitoring sea turtles nests, monitoring shark species in the fishing ports, educating fisherman’s children and more.

• Educate the community on the environmental protection. • Raise awareness on marine conservation techniques. • Work with national and governmental entities to increase knowledge on conservation and

the importance of marine ecosystems.

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VOLUNTEER INFORMATION 3. How many volunteers can the Project employ monthly? Ten volunteers at a time. 4. Has the organization received volunteers in the past? Yes. 5. If it has received volunteers in the past, please write since what month and year: It has received volunteers since 2004. 6. Are there any special features to which the volunteers have to pay attention to when

working at this project? (Religion, illnesses, extra-vaccination, etc) None. 7. Are there any requirements to attend this program? The volunteers who come to the Marine Conservation Center should have the desire to work with marine species on land and water projects. 8. The project receives volunteers all year round? Yes. The station doesn’t close for holidays. 9. Please specify holidays or other dates when the project closes and can not receive

volunteers: None. 10. Is there a minimum amount of weeks volunteers can work at the project? 2 weeks minimum. 11. Is there a maximum amount of weeks volunteers can work at the project? No, there is no maximum. 12. Please give detailed description of tasks and duties of the volunteer: Volunteers can take part into in different research and conservation projects. Projects take place in water as well as on land. Depending on the daily planning of the project, opportunities for scuba diving may be offered to volunteers. Your work will depend on the necessities of the project, probably you will have more land than underwater work, and it depends on the season and needs of the project. You can’t choose a particular project; you are placed at the ones that are currently available. The projects include:

1. Beach and underwater clean-up 2. Shifting Ecuador’s Baselines 3. Coral mapping in the Machalilla National Park 4. Distribution and use of habitat of the Giant Manta ray 5. Monitoring of Shark species in the Puerto Lopez fishing ports 6. Monitoring of Sea turtles nests and open waters 7. Education of Fisherman’s Children

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All activities and research opportunities are subject to change. Be aware that animal behavior and migration patterns are difficult to predict. Many marine animals are the migratory type so it could be expected to find them during the months noted below but fluctuations might take place. Students can be involved in more than one project depending on their interest and availability. These projects are described in detail below. 1. Beach and underwater clean-up Debris found on beaches, reefs and other marine environments jeopardize the life of many species. All volunteers will help with a clean-up project that aims to prevent the harm of marine life from human waste, and also provide information about the major sources of pollution of the area. Volunteers will help with both beach and underwater clean up programs. Requirements: Open water diver (for underwater clean-up) Dates: All year round 2. Shifting Ecuador’s Baselines There is very little knowledge surrounding the history of Ecuador’s marine environment. This makes it very hard to ensure that the best modern management policies are employed, as it is almost impossible to know which area to steer resources into. This project, located along Ecuador’s coastline, draws on proven techniques to interview fisherman and help recreate the status of Ecuador’s marine history. You will work with fellow international volunteers as well as locals on this project. Requirements: You will need to have at least a basic knowledge of the Spanish language, as well as a strong desire to learn. Dates: All year round 3. Coral Reef Mapping and Ecology Machalilla National Park protects the areas with the highest abundance of corals on the coast of Ecuador. Despite the importance of these reefs, very little is known about them in Ecuador and corals are constantly threatened by human activities. This project works alongside the park authorities to initiate and maintain conservation projects to protect the reefs. There are currently two projects running. The objective of the coral-mapping program is to collect data to create a map with the location and characteristics of the corals of Machalilla. Volunteers will also work on a “buoy mooring” project to establish a marked zone around the coral reef, which will prevent boats sinking their anchors onto the corals. Requirements: Open water diver certification (this can be obtained upon arrival – it takes 4 days and costs approximately US$450) Dates: January-November 4. Manta Ray Since 2004, there has been an on-going project, which aims to develop a system of photo identification for the Giant Manta Rays that can be found migrating annually to Isla de la Plata.

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This year, we are hoping to produce images not only from Machalilla, but also from other areas of the country. From these we are able to make comparisons and create a catalogue of data that can be shared internationally. You will be situated on Isla de la Plata, and the majority of your time will be spent out on boats and in the water. A professional diver and photographer will assist you on each of your dives. Requirements: Advanced Open Water Diver Certification (which can be obtained whilst diving) Dates: July – October 5. Shark Fishery Monitoring Program Shark populations are steadily decreasing all around the world. This is an important data collection project located in Puerto Lopez, which monitors shark landings in an artisan fishery port. This information then helps to build a population assessment of all the sharks and rays that are present off Ecuador’s coastline. You will visit fishing ports every day and learn how to identify sharks and record various types of data. As a volunteer you will be working alongside local students at the project. Requirements: You must possess a strong desire to develop your Spanish language skills. Dates: All year round 6. Monitoring & Tagging of Sea Turtles Machalilla National Park beaches are considered to be some of the last remaining nesting sites for sea turtles in Ecuador. Despite the fact that the yearly migration of sea turtles to the coastal area is relatively low in comparison to other areas, it is still very important to monitor and conserve their nests. Nesting season begins at the end of January, and the project runs between January and November. You will live in beach camps and visit the beaches daily in order to identify and protect any new nests, and tag the nesting turtles (which will take place under supervision), After the nesting season ends, volunteers can get involved in some diving activities which aim to identify marks on the turtles and deploy new tags. Requirements: Dates: January-November 7. Education of Fisherman’s Children This new project plans to encourage children to enter the Machalilla National Park Marine area. Despite the fact that the park is so close to their homes, many children have never visited. The hope is that if the children can develop a sense of belonging inside the park, they will begin to value its resources. As a volunteer you need to be creative and come up with innovative and exciting ways to educate the children. Games and costumes are a great way to get the children interested and have fun!

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Requirements: At least a basic knowledge of Spanish and desire to work with children. Dates: All Year Round Please note: all itineraries and activities are subject to change. 13. Indicate the times and days the volunteer will be working in the week: Volunteers will arrive to Quito on the Sunday before the program starts. From the airport you will be taken to the hostel where you will spend your fist two nights in Ecuador. Your transfer to the project location in Puerto Lopez is included and is taken by bus (11-12 hours ride). You can also fly to the project; this has an additional cost of approximately $80(one-way) and will be arranged for you as long as you inform us in advance. You will be working at the Center from Monday to Friday. The weekends are free for you to explore the area and the closest beaches.

LOCATION OF THE PROJECT 14. PLEASE INDICATE THE CLOSEST CITY OR TOWN TO THE PROJECT. Manta and Portoviejo are the closes cities to Puerto Lopez (Machalilla National Park.) Both cities are located approximately 1.5 hours away. 15. INDICATE WHAT TYPES OF TRANSPORTATION THERE IS FROM THE CENTER OF

THIS CITY TO THE PROJECT, ITS COSTS AND APPROXIMATELY TIME THAT WILL TAKE:

TYPE COST TIME IT WILL TAKE Bus (Puerto Lopez-Manta) $3-4 1.5 HOURS APPROX. Bus (Puerto Lopez-Portoviejo) $3-4 1.5 HOURS APPROX. 16. DESCRIBE THE SORROUNDINGS OF THE PROJECT (country side, urban, town) Machalilla National Park is the main protected coastal area of Ecuador. Due to ecological similitude it is often compared with the Galapagos. However, there are many differences between the two areas. Machalilla was declared National Park in 1979 and protect some of the last coastal forest of the country. This area is well known for its beaches and archeological sites. The marine area of the park protects coral reefs and every year receives a humpback whale population that arrives to the area for mating. Puerto Lopez the main town of the project area is a small fishing and tourist village located in the coast of Ecuador.

ACCOMODATIONS AND MEALS 17. Type of Accommodation? The volunteers live in comfortable houses with all desired facilities. Rooms are shared with a maximum of four people in dorm style bedrooms. Living this way, helping each other, creates a more homely atmosphere and adds to a communal living experience.

18. Meals included? A local cook will provide you with three meals per day.

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WHAT IS INCLUDED? • Accommodation throughout your program at the Marine Conservation Center • Bus transportation from Quito to Puerto Lopez • Three meals a day • Orientation upon arrival • Airport transfer on arrival to Quito • Transfer back to the airport at the end of the program • Full on-site support and assistance • On-site 24 hour emergency contact number WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED? • Personal travel insurance • Transportation from Puerto Lopez back to Quito • All items of personal nature • Any extra activities and excursions not described on the planned itinerary • Alcoholic beverages/extra snacks PICTURES OF THE PROJECT

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