Dear Dlisters

"The Namibian Dolphin Project, in conjunction with the Namibian Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) will be conducting ship based surveys to assess species presence, (relative) abundance and habitat use patterns of whales, dolphins and turtles in the Namibian Islands Marine Protected Area in the region of Luderitz, Namibia from March- June 2012.

Surveys will be conducted using a combination of visual and acoustic methods using a towed dual-hydrophone array from the MFMR research vessel RV !Anichab. Observers will be based with the NDP team in Lüderitz and both dedicated and opportunistic single and multi-day surveys will be run. Between ship based surveys, some small boat work for photo-ID data collection will be run in Lüderitz Bay.

No payment can be offered at this stage, but all costs within Namibia will be covered. Due to the complication and costs involved with getting to and from Luderitz, observers are asked to stay for at least one whole month and ideally arrive/leave at month start/end.

This opportunity is ideal for students or recent graduates interested in a career in marine mammal science and looking to gain experience in many of the relevant techniques used in the field.

If you are interested in being involved,please contact Dr Simon Elwen at simon.elwen@gmail.com as soon as possible and before 20 February 2012" .