Pacific Marine Research

  • volunteer in whale conservation and education on the Pacific coast of Ecuador
  • internship in conservation in Ecuador at the Pacific coast
  • working to conserve whale habitat on the pacific coast of Ecuador
  • Education in conservation and environmental protection in Ecuador

Pacific Marine Research at the coast of Ecuador.

This is a an international organization working in the area of marine research, education and conservation and in general working to address the issues that shape the future of our oceans and our planet. In Ecuador the Foundation is based on the central Pacific coast in Puerto Lopez, where for three months of the year migrating whales pass close to the shore. Their main activities of the Foundation include:

  • Marine research – including studies of humpback whales in Hawaii, Australia, Tonga, Alaska, Japan and Ecuador, along with pioneering studies of the wild dolphins and coral reefs of Maui County
  • Education – the Foundation’s award-winning marine education programs grew out of a desire to share research discoveries with the public. These programs combine field trips and classroom/lab work, aiming to inspire greater interest in science and marine conservation. The foundation also offers talks, slideshows, displays and educational guides for the public
  • Conservation – tackling issues ranging from small to large, from preventing litter on beaches to stopping commercial or so-called "scientific whaling" around the world

Puerto Lopez is a seaside town of around 8,000 inhabitants. Near by is the Isla de La Plata, renown for its biodiversity and wildlife, and the greater Machililla national park, along with a variety of other natural attractions.

Range of tasks:
 The tasks that volunteers can undertake with the Foundation in Ecuador depend on their Spanish ability, areas of interests and the time of year that they are available to volunteer. The volunteer projects include:
  • October to March – Data analysis from photos of whales, involving identification of whales, monitoring of their activities and comparison of photos with those from previous years. The findings of this work contribute to academic papers and the culmination is a presentation of the findings in May. Specific experience studying or working in these areas is appreciated but not necessary; however a keen interest in the subject matter is important.
  • June to September - Field work on boats photographing and tracking whales. Specific experience studying or working in these areas is appreciated but not necessary; however a keen interest in the subject matter is important.
  • May to December – Environmental education program is schools regarding waste management, the sea and the environment in general. The foundation has an agreement with the municipality to provide these education programs. Volunteers, with the assistance of the Foundation, plan and deliver classes to school students in the surrounding communities.
Time commitment:
 Two months for data analysis and education projects. Three months for field work.
spanish level:
 Basic to low intermediate
Work schedule:
 Varies according to season and activities - email us for more information
Accommodation:
 Volunteers pay per day for food and lodging while on the project. Contact us for more information.
Skills required:
 Interest in protection osf marine wildlife
Accepted donations:
 Check with Yanapuma staff about current needs
APPLY FOR THIS PROJECT

 

Quotation from a former volunteer - will be added soon - we are updating these pages so please be patient!!!

READ REVIEWS OF THIS PROJECT

"My experiences in Ecuador far exceeded my expectations! I wish I could have stayed to volunteer for longer. The volunteer coordinaters were awesome. Keep up the good work Yanapuma!"

The advantages of arranging everything throuh Yanapuma are:

1. You can be assured the the project is reliable and well run
2. We will provide you with a full orientation in Quito
3. Yanapuma will have set the volunteer program up specifically for you
4. We will accompany you there to get you settled in
5. There will be no nasty surprises when you get there
6. Yanapuma will offer ongoing volunteer support throughout
7. Your volunteering will be in aid of a worthwhile cause
8. You will be contributing to our ongoing sustainable development work