AIMM - Associação para a Investigação do Meio Marinho
Volunteering Activities
What We Need
Our programme will give you the opportunity to get to know several species of cetaceans, sharks, sea turtles and marine birds, which occur in the South of Portugal. Namely it will provide you the chance to identify and interpret their behavior, social composition of the group, amongst others. AIMM researchers will provide training lectures and field work training. During this period you will learn and use several of the most used techniques and methodologies to study cetaceans. It will be given the opportunity to learn about data collection, photo analyses (photo-id), acoustic records, underwater and aerial videos, etc.
The field trips are conducted in AIMM’s research vessel, Ketos, and also aboard commercial whale watch boats in partnership.
The species found vary slightly with the time of year but the most sighted are the short beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) and common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). Occasionally we can also find the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), stripped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba), Orca (Orcinus orca), minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) and the fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus).
For every cetacean group found we collect several biological, ecological and environmental data.
The interns will share the house with AIMM researchers and assistants, in a villa in Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal. Everyone shares house chores, such as cleaning and cooking.
When & Who
What we Provide
Everything is include in fee: accommodation, food, transports in Albufeira and field work on board the research vessel or commercial dolphin watching vessels
Our Fees
AIMM is a non-profit organization that relies on donations from our volunteers, partners and people like you so that we may continue our important research and education programs in the Algarve! This internship and requires a contribution fee, to know about the fees, contact us.
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Additional Info about Us
AIMM was found in 2010 and its area of action is in the region of Algarve, more specifically Albufeira. It’s a non-governmental association, non-for-profit organisation with international scope. Our main field of activity is related with marine mammals in their natural environment.
AIMM aims to be a reference for research, education and conservation of the environment in Portugal, promoting activities and partnerships, which empower our understanding of marine related issues, identifying threats and mitigate their effects in marine wildlife. AIMM works closely to sea agents, like dolphin-watching companies, administration and authorities, other NGO sea related associations and organizations and public environmental institutions. Jointly we develop scientific research in environmental topics and try to promote a healthier and safer environment for marine species.