Volunteers can take part in two of the following programmes from May to October every year:

• Dolphin Research from the base in Losinj - at sea during day, return to land at night
• Dolphin Research along the Dalmatian Coast - on board sailing boat

Individuals, groups and students doing research all welcome.

The Project

This project is the longest ongoing study of a resident population of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Mediterranean Sea.

Volunteers can take part in two different programmes:

Research from the base in Losinj (live on land)
Research along the Dalmatian Coast (live at sea)

Bottlenose Dolphin Research from the base in Losinj

The research focuses on dolphin population dynamics, photo – identification, behavioural sampling, acoustic monitoring, and the collection of stranding data for genetic, forage ecology and toxicological analysis. Data is used to produce a regular report on the status and ecology of the population and to offer solutions for their effective conservation. From the research station at Veli Lošinj we monitor the daily behaviour of the bottlenose dolphins of the region. It is now possible to identify around 450 individual dolphins with the help of photo-identification.

The Day of a Volunteer
There is no typical day……… Much of what we do is based on sea conditions. If the sea is calm and the weather is fine, you board the boat to search for dolphins. The moment the dolphins are sighted, everyone on board has a specific task to fulfil. A researcher will take photos for the photo-identification. Your task as project participant is to record data; the time, the number and breakdown of animals, their behavioural activity and their names as the researcher calls them out. In some cases you may be asked to be involved in acoustic sampling. This involves stopping the boat regularly to place the hydrophone in the water.

If the sea is not calm, the team remains at the base (LMEC) analysing data and preparing papers and reports, as well as doing everyday duties. A daily lecture is offered on aspects of cetacean biology or the marine environment. In free time volunteers may visit the island, enjoy the beauty of discovering new paths and beaches for swimming and snorkelling in the crystal clean sea.

Volunteers are also expected to assist in educational activities of the Lošinj marine educational centre (LMEC). Duties will include helping out the staff and students, taking visitors around the centre and explaining exhibits. Sunday is designated as a free day for both volunteers and researchers. On this day other activities such as diving can be organised.

The Boat
The small (6 m), low noise craft, allows the easy approach of the wild dolphins and follow them for a long time without the animals being disturbed by our presence. The craft is equipped with all safety and scientific gear.

Island of Lošinj
The coastline of Lošinj is extremely diverse; it consists of many large and small bays and underwater caves. The field-base is located in the old village of Veli Lošinj (3 km distant from Mali Lošinj) on the sheltered east coast of the island. There are more than 95 species of fish found in these waters, and other top predators such as loggerhead turtles, tuna, sharks and swordfish regularly visit this area. The marine environment around Lošinj is the cleanest part of the Northern Adriatic Sea, with underwater visibility of consistently over twenty metres. We encourage our volunteers to explore the island and take advantage of the untouched natural environment that surrounds them.

Bottlenose Dolphin Research along the Dalmatian Coast

The common bottlenose dolphins are highly mobile, travelling between 30 and 50 kilometres a day, sometimes even more. Until recently, research activities were limited to relatively small geographic areas around islands of Lošinj and Vis due to locations of the field stations. This left great portions of the Adriatic Sea as “blind spots” for which there is no relevant data about the status of the cetacean species.

In 2012, the project was donated a14m wooden kutter, named MB Anika, to be used as a “mobile field station”.  The large boat provides living facilities and logistics (working space, storage for equipment and fuel), and every day area surveys can start from a different location. We can now gain detailed insight into the status of the bottlenose dolphins inhabiting the area that stretches across 200 km and ultimately contribute to the conservation of their natural environment.

The study area has developed tourism, numerous marinas and harbours which, together with beautiful archipelago that includes a National park and a Nature park, attract thousands of people. As a result, the boat traffic is intense in the summer. By studying the behaviour of the bottlenose dolphins and how they interact with boats we can establish and measure negative effects of these interactions. Detailed understanding of how the human activities influence the bottlenose dolphins on the population level will help direct the conservation measures where they are needed the most.

The Day of a Volunteer
Volunteers will be trained in basic research techniques that include data collection during navigation, searching and dolphin sighting, data storage and analysis. Evening lectures provide theoretical background of research topics, giving volunteers more in depth information about the purpose of the project. Also, simply by living on the boat they learn about basic navigation and sailing skills.  

The daily routine of the whole team depends mostly on the current weather conditions.  If the weather is fine and the sea is flat, the research team will board the RIB and head off in search for dolphins, while the skipper stays with the mother ship. The area surveys can last from half an hour to up to 10 hours, but usually around 4-5 hours. During the area surveys everybody on the boat has a task. While searching for dolphins, volunteers help researchers writing down environmental and navigational data using the GPS device. When dolphins are spotted they will take geographic positions and notes on the group size, composition, behaviour etc.   On windy days the team will either transfer the mother ship to a new location or spend time in a harbour or sheltered bay, analysing the data, writing the reports, preparing the public lectures, but also taking care of the boat maintenance and doing the small repairs.

Research Vessel – RIB
A rigid hull inflatable boat (RIB) is used for conducting area surveys in search for dolphins. This boat is powered with an outboard engine and equipped with all the necessary safety gear. Speed and low fuel consumption allow for covering large portions of the sea in search for dolphins, while small size and manoeuvrability allow for easy approach to dolphins and collection of the photo-identification and behavioural data while keeping the disturbance at minimum.

The Study Area
The study area encompasses the archipelago of the northern Dalmatia, Croatia, from Virsko more in the north to the islands of Žirje and Zlarin in the south. The region of Dalmatia is famous for its beautiful nature, pristine sea, long history that dates back to pre-roman times and gastronomy - locally produced olive oil and wines in combination with the fresh fish are a “must try”. The beautiful archipelago consists of hundreds of islands and diverse coastline. During your stay, the team will visit many of them and you can use the opportunity to get to know the local culture, enjoy the sightseeing and panoramic walks, or simply have a rest on one of many beautiful beaches. Diversity of islands, bays and coastal towns will make each day a new experience.

Additional details

For more information regarding this opportunity, please visit the main project page here, or contact Vicky McNeil here. The application form can be found here, though it is advised that applicants express interest before applying, in order to discuss personal situations.