Special Expedition to Ecuador!
Have you ever wanted to dive with a purpose? Experience wildlife very few have had the privilege to encounter? Well NOW is your chance!!
Picture this; submerged beneath Ecuador’s tropical waters and surrounded by the most majestic and mysterious creatures, giant manta rays, you will be participating in cutting edge research on these gentle giants. This is a unique opportunity to work with one of the world’s leading manta rays researchers while she conducts ground-braking fieldwork on this poorly known species in one of the world’s most spectacular settings. This is not an ordinary vacation and this experience presents an unparalleled opportunity for you to actively participate in research and conservation efforts in the marine world.
Dr Andrea Marshall (‘Queen of Mantas’ as featured on the BBCs Natural Wonders Series), a world-renowned manta researcher, has begun her quest to protect these magnificent creatures. This year in 2010, with help from the Foundation for the Protection of Marine Megafauna and funding from the Save Our Seas Foundation , she has embarked on a worldwide satellite-tagging project. Across the globe in all three of our major ocean’s, Andrea and her team will observe the newly discovered giant manta rays at critical aggregation sites. Her goal- to track their movements and migratory patterns. Alarmingly we know little about this elusive species of manta ray except that it faces frightening new threats as a target of directed fisheries. Andrea is determined to learn more about this species in an effort to properly assign this giant manta ray’s conservation status and afford it a degree of protection.
As part of her expedition she will be spending a few weeks in Ecuador with well known underwater photographer Mark Harding, founder of ‘Project Elasmo’. In addition to getting a first hand look at cutting edge field research in action, one of the major benefits of this unique opportunity will be private seminars with Dr Andrea Marshall herself; giving you an opportunity to become overnight experts on manta rays.
Whether you’re a scientists yourself, an experienced diver with a passion for conservation or an enthusiastic novice; THIS is the project for you! Everyone participating will have the opportunity to observe Andrea at work as well as help her and the ‘Project Elasmo’ team in making observations, taking ID photos and collecting data and samples.
It is recommended that participants come for at least two weeks but can extend their stay longer to gain more experience. Please download a detailed PDF about the project to learn more about the details. With the estimated cost on the ground only £985 for a three-week period, there is absolutely no reason NOT to sign up!
If this sounds like a project you would be interested in, please contact Andrea Marshall or Mark Harding as soon as possible. There are a limited number of places available for this special trip with Dr. Marshall (early September –dates to be confirmed), so it is essential to book NOW in order to avoid disappointment.
