Community & Marine Conservation Project

Product Details

Utila is the smallest of the Bay Islands and a ‘Mecca’ for backpackers and divers from around the world. The crystal clear waters are ideal for first time divers and the huge number of dive sites (over 50) mean that even experienced divers will get the variety they want.

The laid-back Caribbean style is really infectious and you're unlikely to want to leave....ever.

The expedition

The objective of this expedition is to put science into practice. We are working alongside a newly formed marine ecology centre putting their important scientific research into practice through educational outreach work.

This work will help prepare the future generations on Utila for the changes ahead. Their local knowledge can be combined with scientific knowledge to look for alternatives to over-fishing, pollution and over-use of resources.Not a diver yet?

Don't panic! If you're not currently a qualified Scuba diver it doesn't mean you can't join the team. The six week project includes your open water and advanced open water courses in the costs. If you can dive already you can do specialties including fish ID, NITROX included in your costs instead!

How?

A small team of up to 8 volunteers is urgently required to conduct this outreach work, working alongside one of our qualified Quest Dive Leaders, local research students from the Marine Ecology Centre and local teachers.

You will receive a training course in marine ecology and increase your knowledge of marine habitats and conservation. Daily activities vary between weeks as the first two are spent learning and the final 4 weeks putting that knowledge into practice.

Responsible travel

The cost of the project includes all your dives, dive training and dive equipment, which we arrange through a local dive school and marine ecology centre. We also donate US£300 per volunteer to a trust fund, which funds long-term commitments to the local school and marine ecology centre.

Why?

By taking part on this trip you will be supporting conservation and research efforts, helping to provide a platform for the dissemination of information, building capacity through donations to our partners and gaining experience in marine survey techniques and approaches to conservation. These skills and contacts will prove to be very valuable for any volunteers hoping to pursue careers in marine science, conservation, marine ecology or diving.

The Problem

Around Utila, as throughout the Caribbean, marine resources are under threat through over-fishing, algal overgrowth and eutrophication, badly managed marine tourism, coastal run-off and pollution. The needs of Utila are characteristic of the region and the chance to find out about research, to increase our knowledge and find solutions to these problems, is vitally important.

The Solution

The Quest Underseas project in Utila aims to put research into practical conservation and educational initiatives. In this manner Underseas can provide the relevant data and manage individual projects to completion. By working with local institutions, local government and community members / fishing cooperatives, much more can be achieved and learned. Such cooperation provides a benefit to all resource users.

This is an ideal place to dive, learn to dive, to gather experience in marine conservation and research, to conduct research for undergraduate or postgraduate marine science and to be involved in contributing towards the knowledge and conservation of marine resources.

Accommodation

You will stay in a typical Island house. The house is very comfortable with electricity, showers and walking distance to Utila town. You will live as a team with up to 8 others as well as your Project Leader. The houses are fully equipped with bathrooms, showers, flush toilets and excellent kitchen facilities.

Why Quest?

Quite simply because we have the best reputation in the gap year market. We are second to none when it comes to safety, value for money and downright fun! If you'd like to speak to a past student they would be more than happy to bend your ear on everything you could get up to!

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Our users say

"..within no time at all we all hit it off. The first week was based around learning fundamental reef ecology to give us a basic understanding and knowledge of the marine environment that we would be surveying over the coming weeks. We were introduced to numerous dive sites on the south side of Utila... The diving on the island is brilliant, the crystal clear waters and fish entertain us underwater. We completed 10 research dives and enjoyed 4 fun dives this week alone, and as the weather improved we visited some of the best dives sites around. We also kayaked into the lagoon around Utila, looking at the mangrove communities and the associated fauna and flora."
Steve (PL) Cael, David, Lisa, Lucy, Olivia - Honduras 2007 Phase 1.