The Project
Based on the Thai island of Koh Tao, this marine conservation project is perfect for divers or those wishing to learn to dive. The local community of Koh Tao, in association with the best dive schools, developed a project to help and protect the coral reefs within the Koh Tao national park from the damage caused by tourism and global warming. Building artificial reefs, culturing a giant clam nursery and undertaking regular monitoring activities in the waters surrounding the island, volunteers can spend every day diving and familiarising themselves with the marine life of Thailand. The success of this project to date has seen government environmental agencies use the data gathered to make policy decisions.
This project includes PADI Open water, advanced and SSI Ecological diver certification. Prices vary depending on level of existing certification.
Why the project needs you
With the surge in tourism to this tiny island, the marine national park has suffered greatly in recent years. Regular monitoring and cleaning on the reefs removes damaging debris and identifies changes in the numbers and health of the marine life to detect areas of concern, which can then be reacted to. Work done on this project has raised general awareness of issues and it looks to volunteers to become ambassadors of good diving practice.
Role of the volunteer
As a volunteer you will start every day by attending a lecture on your course of action for the day. Following this you will proceed to your diving duties; whilst diving you will be responsible for identifying species, monitoring the reefs, underwater clean-ups, and reef restoration.
