Roving Marine Expedition in Mexico and Central America

Vacancy: Roving Marine Expedition in Mexico and Central America
Company: Global Vision International
Category: Gap year projects (Conservation, Watersports & diving)

Dates: Friday 19 June 2009

Cost: £3,250 for 8 weeks
Support In Place: 24-hour in-country support and 24 hour emergency phone.

Description:

This roving marine conservation expedition is ideal for anyone with previous diving experience. Scuba dive in a variety of spectacular locations while you contribute to the protection of vital coral reefs. Once you've mastered the monitoring techniques and performed some research dives in Mexico, you will begin your travels to Guatemala, Honduras and Belize where you will dive in the warm Caribbean waters. At each stop you will collect data and contribute to research on the increasingly threatened Meso-American Barrier Reef. Along the way you will have the opportunity to go on a range of adventure side-trips, including visiting Mayan ruins, exploring caves and even toasting marshmallows on the lava of an active volcano!

How this program makes a difference:
All the countries involved in this expedition have coral reefs which form a vital part of their coastal ecosystem. The reefs provide food and a source of income to many diverse peoples and indigenous groups, but due to population increases and the rapid growth of tourism, these coastal areas and habitats are in danger of being degraded to a point of no return. The research dives and data obtained are used to raise awareness of the plight of the reefs and influence use and policy decisions.

Highlights:

• Visit Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and Belize
• Do 8 to 10 dives per week
• See sharks, turtles, manatees and more
• Receive training in coral and/or fish identification
• Learn marine and reef specific monitoring techniques
• Walk up a live volcano
• Visit local villages and soak up the culture
• Learn some basic Spanish

PADI Distinctive Coral Reef Monitoring Specialty:
GVI provides an exceptional standard of training in many internationally recognized qualifications including this distinctive PADI dive certification.