Marine Monitoring program
Become an expert
This course is designed for advanced scuba diver with a passion for coral reefs conservation and an interest in marine research who wants to grow their skills and knowledge in marine ecology, species identification, behavior, spotting, as well as getting exposure on coral reef & Marine Protected Areas research in the Philippines ! Not afraid to nerd and having a purpose for growing your skills? This is for you.
What will I learn?
The course starts from a broad and general overview of environmental conservation before slowly diving into more specialized trainings. Participants will obtain in depth knowledge about coral reef health and grow skills dedicated for scientific diving, research and coral reef monitoring. By participating in this program, you are directly supporting environmental conservation efforts and will be immersed with the science team in monitoring the health and resilience of coral reefs in local Marine Protected Areas of Siquijor.
1
Marine ecology knowledge
-
Daily ecology lectures by professional from broad to very specialized topic to share in-depth knowledge about coral reef ecosystems
-
Fish family identification and understanding of their roles and functions in the marine food web
-
Marine Invertebrates overview
-
Coral reef substrate identification and understanding of their role
-
Coral health
-
Mangrove ecosystems overview
-
Specialization possible in 2 topics: Reef substrate, including coral health and identification or fish species identification
2
Scientific diving
skills
-
Developing your skill set in advanced buoyancy control, movement precision & efficiency in the water, ability to multitask, mentored by professional & scientific divers.
-
Develop spotting skills and high accuracy in species identification
-
Learning to collect scientific data on coral reef species 's health, abundance and diversity, following a strict research methodology underwater.
-
Great dive experience with 30 dives per month in some of the most biodiverse reef of the planet.
3
Marine conservation
steps
-
Weekly conservation lectures and workshop to be exposed to marine challenges and discuss solutions
-
Learn about why coral reefs in the Philippines are so special and deserve enhanced protection.
-
Be exposed to global and local marine conservation challenges and what can be done to help.
-
Be reminded about the connection between ocean and land and what does that mean for us.
-
Experience living and helping the conservation work of an environmental non-profit NGO
FISH MONITORING
If you choose to specialize in Fish monitoring, you will become an expert about recognizing all different types of fish on the reef at species level. Get ready, there are more than 3000 species of fish in the Philippines. During your time with us, you will be spending many dives looking far ahead and will be developing your fast thinking, understanding where each fish might be found, be quick to identify, size, and count them. Recognizing a juvenile from an adult fish, and perhaps even a male from a female. Be prepared to see fishes in your dreams !
SUBSTRATE MONITORING
If you choose to specialize in substrate monitoring, you will become an expert about recognizing all different types of organisms that compose the reef floor. Your world will be in macro and get ready for the fascinating universe of the small marine critters. You will learn a lot about marine plants such as seagrass, invertebrates such as anemones, sponges, tunicates, and corals will have no secrets for you. You will spend a lot of time identifying their different types, recognizing if they are healthy and understanding their stressors.
2 possible specialties
Course requirements
The program is for certified scuba diver that fits these requirements:
​
-
An advanced open water certification (PADI, SSI, RAID, CMAS, etc.) is required*.
-
and a minimum of 30 dives including at least one this year OR a buoyancy refresher training (2 dives) with CRCP done this year*.
-
Good general fitness allowing to dive 5 days / week, carry your own gear (we are shore diving), swim comfortably with or without scuba gear.
* (You do not fit the requirements? No worries, have a look in the scuba training section, or just contact us for advices.)
Why these requirements?
During the course, you will be learning about small fragile marine organisms and be needing to come very close from them. For your safety (some may sting) and theirs, it is important that you master good buoyancy control and precision of your movements in the water before we do so. This will also make scuba diving much more efficient and enjoyable for you. If you need, we are happy to provide such training ahead of the program.
Timelines
This program is a specialized training with high accuracy expectations at the end, because its purpose is to help you develop skills to assist scientific and environmental work. It takes time to develop the necessary dive skills and control to conduct scientific work underwater. It takes time to learn to recognize and be able to collect scientifically accurate data on coral reefs and its critters. Exactly how much time you will need, varies depending on your profile, previous dive experience and comfort in the water, eye sight, and learning speed. The longer you will stay, the more confident you will become and the more you will be able to contribute.
Minimum stay for the program is 6 weeks for divers that already fit the pre-requisites. We should warn you, weeks goes by really fast. If you can, we recommend staying 8 weeks for real difference in skills and confidence.
Costs & inclusions
This course's fee is 30,000 PHP per week with a minimum requirement of 6 weeks and stays up to 16 weeks.
​
​(Are you Filipino? You may avail an automatic 20% discount on our program)
​
Inclusions:
-
All dive gear rental
-
Marine environmental fee costs
-
Daily ecology and conservation lectures
-
Daily guided teaching dives 4 days per week (week-ends are off, wednesday are dry theory)
-
Breakfast and lunch are included during week days with vegetarian diet
-
Basic accommodation (shared type) is included
-
Scuba diving advanced buoyancy skills training with instructor
-
1 week program included
-
Free pick up and transfer from siquijor port
-
CRCP T-shirt
​
Not included:
-
Dinner (your accommodation is near many restaurants with many options from 150php meal to western options)
-
Activities and meals during week-ends (but of course, your accommodation is)
​
For long stays of more than 8 weeks, we offer discounted prices if you choose to stay and volunteer for CRCP and assist the team with your newly earned skills ! Contact us !
​
​
Interested? contact us
Get in touch!