Underwater Research

  Greece

Rural Areas

Term: Academic Year, Fall, Spring, Summer, Throughout the year, Trimester, Winter 
Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: All year

Description: You will do research on endangered species, and also participate in stranding rescues, shark awareness and environmental promotion and awareness.

In the research you will locate, map and measure the species that we are monitoring. After the dive you will return back to our project base and put the research data into the computers.

Research subjects vary slightly through the years. Research that has been done in the past includes studies on a bivalve mollusc called Pinna nobilis, an eelgrass called Posidonia oceanica and an alga called Caulerpa racemosa. Today in collaboration with the National Aquarium of Plymouth we are also researching the presence of Sea horses in our area.

New areas of research need to be discussed and approved by the club to see whether they can realistically be undertaken and achieved within the clubs activities and it's ability to assist.

A very important aspect of this research is to determine the degradation and damage provoked by intensive anchoring of the tourist sailing and motor boats frequenting the area during the summer months.

This part of the underwater research has been approved and partially financed by the Ministry of Environment of Greece.

Highlights:
After finishing the voluntary placement here you will receive a Certification of Participation.

You will get the specialty course "Underwater Research Diver" as developed by the Ionian Sea Research Center.

Qualifications: A diving certificate, plus 20 logged dives is required.

You can be certified in any dive center in the world, or you can be certified here in our dive center at an additional price. This will take 3 weeks to complete.

Cost in US$: 505

Our private camp is free to all of our participants.

If our basic accommodation doesn't suit you we can arrange for a rented room for you at an additional price.

Price does not include; meals, flights, visas, or insurance.

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18+

This Program is open to American, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and World Wide Participants.

Participants Travel to Greece Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Resume
• Written Application

The Hellenic Foundation for Youth & Volunteering's Mission Statement: The Hellenic Foundation for Youth & Volunteering (HFYV) and its department (Ionian Sea Research Centre, Fiskardo's Nautical & Environmental Club) is a non-profit organization established on the island of Kefalonia (Cephalonia) in Greece in 1998 and deals mainly with the promotion of volunteering and youth mobility. Since 1999 we are a member of the European Commission supported project, European Voluntary Service and in the year 2003 we have been awarded as one of the 4 best projects in Europe. Parallel to this and since 2000 we are running various internship programs for shorter periods of time (1-2 months). From 2008 we work only with independent volunteers from all over the world on long and short term projects, from 2 weeks to 6 months. The Hellenic Foundation for Youth & Volunteering offers courses, volunteer projects/internships, work camps, and the possibility of learning experiences in the fields of research, rescue and environmental protection.

Year Founded: 1998