Please pass along to someone who might be interested! Thanks!

For those interested, e-mail a copy of your CV to info@balyena.org.

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It is humpback whale season again and we are seeking enthusiastic volunteers to join the research expedition to the Babuyan Islands,
northern Luzon, Philippines this coming Marchand April
2012!  The research will be led by researchers from Balyena.org [http://balyena.org/] and the Center for Rural Empowerment and the Environment (CREE)[http://www.conservationforpeople.org].
This survey has been conducted since 2000, making it the longest running,
continuous cetacean research in the Philippines! 
 
The aim of this research is to monitor the status of humpback whales in the islands through photo-identification and vocalization recordings.  Through
photo-identification we will be able to monitor the number of whales coming to the Babuyan Islands, their movement between other breeding grounds in the western north Pacific and their feeding grounds.  The interaction between cetaceans and humans
(particularly fisheries) will also be monitored. Research volunteers will
assist in sightings of cetaceans, recording data, taking photographs and
recording humpback songs.  Working hours are long.  Most of the
daylight hours are spent on a small wooden outrigger boat searching for and observing whales and dolphins, exposed to the sun and sea sprays while evenings are spent encoding data. The team goes out every day as long as the weather conditions permit it. At least one day will be spent to conduct an environmental education youth camp for a school in the islands.
 
The expedition will be run based partly on funding collected from the contributions of volunteers.  We ask volunteers to contribute to cover for food, accommodation and vehicle rental.  Volunteers are also expected to pay for their travel expenses to and from the research site on Camiguin Island, municipality of Calayan, Cagayan. The team will travel together by bus from Manila to Sta. Ana, Cagayan, the jump-off point to the Islands.
 
Camiguin Island, the main study site is one of the five main islands in the Babuyan group (approximately 32 kms from mainland Luzon). It is a beautiful and idyllic volcanic island. We will be living with a small community with just the basic necessities.  The team will be based in a modest house on Camiguin where volunteers will share daily household work. Sleeping quarters are shared and cooking or food preparation will be the responsibility of volunteers. As meals are shared and food variety is limited on the island, one must not be picky with food. Electricity is only available for 4-5 hours in the evenings and telecommunications are quite limited (i.e. mobile phone coverage intermittent). 
 
Volunteers are needed for three trips:  the surveys will be running for about 12 days plus travel time of 5 days (return), making each trip a total of 17 days. Please do keep in mind that ability to cross to and from the island is
dependent on the weather hence, the dates are not fixed. Volunteers must be prepared to be stationed on-site for 2-3 days longer than the scheduled trip. The first trip departs Manila on the 29th of February 2012.  
 
The expedition dates are as follows;
Team I: 29 Feb – 19 March
Team II: 17 Mar – 5 Apr
Team III: 9 – 28 Apr
 
We are inclined to accept volunteers who can commit to the entire duration of the research trip.  Previous cetacean research experience is not required but preferred. Flexibility and ability to work in a variety of conditions at
sea is a must. You must have good sea legs, high tolerance for the sun and
heat, and patience for hours looking out at sea.  
 
We would like to emphasize that this is a research trip and NOT a holiday. Volunteers are expected to participate in all project activities of the day. This is a good opportunity to help in the research and conservation of humpback whales and other cetaceans in the Philippines while learning about them. This annual monitoring of the whales is very important in understanding the status of the species and the marine
ecosystem of the Babuyan Islands. The data collected every season is crucial in completing a long-term study of the humpback whales breeding and calving in the Philippines. You will also get the chance to visit a gorgeous island in the northern Philippines and experience all its biodiversity!

Please signify interests via email on or before February
6th 2012and send a copy of your recent CV to info@balyena.org.
For further information, please check our facebook page Balyena.org or email joshsilberg@gmail.com.