|
85
travelers with volunteer and wildlife conservation
programs, including the one at Cocos Island, points
out that protecting wildlife is a big job and the people
who are doing it need help, especially in underwater
habitats. Divers possess unique skills that allow them
to contribute in a number of
ways, including cleaning up
debris (especially old fishing
gear), clearing invasive species
and collecting information about
coral reefs and other organisms.
The extra help is especially vital
in countries where governments
invest too few resources in
protecting the marine habitats
on which locals often depend for their livelihoods. For
researchers, volunteer divers represent much-needed
practical and financial support.
At Cocos Island, expedition leaders teach volunteer
divers how to capture, weigh, measure and tag sea
turtles as well as how to apply acoustic or satellite
transmitters. This year Cocos volunteers will help add
to the 150 sharks and 74 sea turtles tagged on previous
expeditions and recover data from underwater
acoustic receivers. Mark Stabb, a mechanical engineer
from San Diego who recently participated in his
seventh Cocos Island shark
and sea turtle research trip,
says he combines diving with
volunteering for two main
reasons: “First, it’s an experience
you’re not likely to get anywhere
else. You’re working with
researchers, seeing and doing
things that you can’t always see
and do. If you go to Hawaii and
put your hands on a turtle, you’ll pay a big fine, but at
Cocos I’ve personally caught probably a dozen green
turtles so they can be weighed and measured. Second,
you’re also doing something beneficial for the world
by helping to make sure that others will be able to see
these animals as well.”
Sea turtles and hammerhead sharks
enjoy protection within Cocos Island
National Park but are vulnerable
to longline fishing when they swim
outside protected waters. Volunteer
divers capture, weigh and tag marine
life to determine migratory patterns
and assess fishing risk.
ANDY SALLMON
NONIE SILVER
