Reef Conservation in Australia

About the program

Experiencing the Great Barrier Reef is a bucket-list item for many — combine this with marine conservation activities and you have a volunteering program like no other! This amazing Dive (or snorkel) program allows budding marine conservation volunteers to learn or improve their skill through a well-renowned dive operator while also participating in a credible reef monitoring program. With a high commitment to environmental protection and sustainability, this unique dive program falls under the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’s monitoring program, ‘Eye on the Reef’, and is designed for volunteers interested in scuba diving, marine conservation and spending time in this incredible marine park. From learning to dive, advancing your dive skills or participating as a snorkeler, all volunteers will spend time with reef experts to monitor the reef and its marine inhabitants for the Marine Park’s conservation program.

Goals of this Project:

• Protect Australia’s Great Barrier Reef
• Provide information to researchers and conservation authorities to help preserve marine life
• Raise awareness of the conservation issues of the Reef and teach people how to love, respect and preserve the marine environment
• Enable inter-cultural exchange between all parties and teach international visitors more about marine conservation and Australia

Stinger suits are required during certain times of the year and are provided as part of the program fees.

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Volunteer's role

Volunteers can expect to undertake the following:

• Certified scuba diving course  
• Become a volunteer marine conservationist
• Complete underwater rapid monitoring surveys
• Complete coral watch fish identification surveys and coral health monitoring
• Help with turtle identification, benthos transects, marine debris beach clean-ups and debris sorting and categorising
• Spend time with reef experts learning more about the environment

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Requirements

Love Volunteers welcomes all those 18 years and over (17 when accompanied by a guardian) who wish to give their time and energy to help protect the natural environment of Australia's Great Barrier Reef. This 'hands-on' project is best suited to those who are either pursuing a career in conservation/environmental studies, or who simply wish to explore an interest in this field.

It is a dive course requirement that participants can swim 200 meters or snorkel 300 meters and tread water/float for 10 minutes.

Beyond this the project is open to all and does not require participants to have specific education, qualifications or experience, as you will be shown everything you need to know by your local project leader.

A current tetanus vaccination is highly recommended.