Joining Kenna Eco Diving  Marine Conservation Research Volunteer program is a wonderful way to enjoy Mediterranean diving whilst helping to conserve the marine environment. We love to have the participation of divers who care about protecting marine ecosystems. It gives divers a great insight into Mediterranean coastal habitats and lots of practical underwater fieldwork experience.

I have been carrying out research into the threatened seagrass Posidonia oceanica for the past eight years, and in 2009 I became the voluntary coordinator for the first of 80 SILMAR Project research stations in Cala Montgo, which passes through Posidonia meadows.

The Montgri coast has now received protected status. However, the posidonia oceanica is still being damaged by boat anchoring in this beautiful and popular bay. Many of the indicator species that we survey and measure depend on this important habitat, in which over 700 different species have been observed.

In 2010 I took on responsibility for a second research station, which passes through a cave full of precious red coral, along a beautiful wall and goes down to 19 meters. This transect assesses a very different marine environment and many key species no longer found in Cala Montgo, due to years of impact from seasonal tourism, and provides a complete contrast in terms of ecosystems and a greater challenge for more experienced divers.

Volunteers join us for a few weeks or several months, during the beginning of May to the end of October. The subsidised cost for Eco Dive volunteers in 2012 starts from €248 per person per week, which includes all transfers, shared bunkhouse accommodation, and all volunteer Eco Diving (including tanks and weights) and full induction training to play an active part in our research. 

So that volunteers can get the most out of their experience and make a real contribution to the research, we strongly encourage volunteers to come for at least two weeks although this is not mandatory. The subsidised cost is structured to give a cheaper rate for several weeks and for groups of volunteers. Arrival/departure datesare flexible so that volunteers can get the cheapest flights into Girona (where volunteers are collected).

Breakfasts are provided on research days – Mon to Friday, and volunteers have weekends free. See Booking page: http://marinebiology.kennaecodiving.net for full details.

Although the Silmar Project is Spanish, we work in English to open this experience to international volunteer divers. Volunteers learn about the Silmar research protocol and the key species (see www.marine-life-costa-brava.org) that we are monitoring during their induction training. Then they gain practical in identifying, counting and measuring key species at our underwater research stations and begin recording species data when they are able to identify them reliably.

We do 2 research dives per weekday, and dedicated clean up dives every week - collating the data for Project AWARE. There is always plenty of time for underwater fun, exploration, and underwater photography too!

Volunteers have weekends free to do other optional coastal dives, to visit the famous Medes Islands Marine Reserve, which is always a wonderful experience, or to just relax and enjoy L’Escala.