I know the area-it's the only place in BC where I've seen Whitesided Dolphins, Harbour Porpoises, Grey Whales, Humpback Whales and Orcas all in one day
Volunteer Program 2011 Cetacealab is a non-profit research organization located on the southern end of Gil Island along the northern coast of British Columbia. Our location is unique as we monitor the acoustic habitat of both orca and humpback whale populations in an extremely remote location. We are the only residents of Gil Island and Cetacealab the only facility. We share this island with wildlife such as wolves and black bears. Volunteers must be prepared for the remoteness of our location.
We are currently looking to fill volunteer positions starting in late May 2011. The following time frames are available:
- May 20th- June 17th
- June 23rd – July 25th
- August 12th – September 17th
Cetacealab has established a network of hydrophone stations located from 5 to 20 km from the facility. All signals are broadcasted to the lab and digitally recorded when cetaceans are present. In early summer northern resident Orcas arrive, followed by groups of feeding humpback whales; transient orcas are found year round but not as frequent. In the last 2 years there has been an increase in Fin whale sightings in Caamano Sound.
Volunteers will be asked to assist with the following:
-live recordings of cetaceans, with an emphasis on killer whale and humpback whales, these will occur day and night from the lab
- land based observation of whales from Lab facility
-boat surveys to collect digital photographs to add to our photo identification catalogue of orca, humpback and fin whales and document feeding and social behaviour during each cetacean encounter
- Identification and organization of all photographs taken from survey, data entry, good computer skills are essential
Cetacealab has recorded over 600 hours of humpback whale song display in the northern waters of BC before the annual migration south. This season there will be a strong emphasis on volunteers having some experience with Raven or to take the initiative to understand spectrographic analysis to assist us to analyse specific vocalizations.
This facility is completely off the grid, powered only by sun, wind and water. Volunteers will be also expected to help in the daily activity of living so remote, this will include chopping wood, helping with the maintenance of hydrophone stations and other more labour intensive type of jobs. Volunteers will be asked to bring their own tent for accommodation and are asked to prepare their own breakfast and lunch in a supplied kitchen area. We will have a communal dinner each night in our house - you must be able to cook and help with dinner prep. Due to our extreme remote location we have to be aware of any medical condition volunteers may have. Access to immediate medical care is very difficult to get.
To apply for a volunteer position please send a CV, with a letter describing your reason for wanting to join us this season and one letter of reference. Please use the contact form on our website.
Once your application has been received an interview via phone/skype may be arranged. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.
Good Luck,
Hermann Meuter/Janie Wray
Volunteer Program 2011 Cetacealab is a non-profit research organization located on the southern end of Gil Island along the northern coast of British Columbia. Our location is unique as we monitor the acoustic habitat of both orca and humpback whale populations in an extremely remote location. We are the only residents of Gil Island and Cetacealab the only facility. We share this island with wildlife such as wolves and black bears. Volunteers must be prepared for the remoteness of our location.
We are currently looking to fill volunteer positions starting in late May 2011. The following time frames are available:
- May 20th- June 17th
- June 23rd – July 25th
- August 12th – September 17th
Cetacealab has established a network of hydrophone stations located from 5 to 20 km from the facility. All signals are broadcasted to the lab and digitally recorded when cetaceans are present. In early summer northern resident Orcas arrive, followed by groups of feeding humpback whales; transient orcas are found year round but not as frequent. In the last 2 years there has been an increase in Fin whale sightings in Caamano Sound.
Volunteers will be asked to assist with the following:
-live recordings of cetaceans, with an emphasis on killer whale and humpback whales, these will occur day and night from the lab
- land based observation of whales from Lab facility
-boat surveys to collect digital photographs to add to our photo identification catalogue of orca, humpback and fin whales and document feeding and social behaviour during each cetacean encounter
- Identification and organization of all photographs taken from survey, data entry, good computer skills are essential
Cetacealab has recorded over 600 hours of humpback whale song display in the northern waters of BC before the annual migration south. This season there will be a strong emphasis on volunteers having some experience with Raven or to take the initiative to understand spectrographic analysis to assist us to analyse specific vocalizations.
This facility is completely off the grid, powered only by sun, wind and water. Volunteers will be also expected to help in the daily activity of living so remote, this will include chopping wood, helping with the maintenance of hydrophone stations and other more labour intensive type of jobs. Volunteers will be asked to bring their own tent for accommodation and are asked to prepare their own breakfast and lunch in a supplied kitchen area. We will have a communal dinner each night in our house - you must be able to cook and help with dinner prep. Due to our extreme remote location we have to be aware of any medical condition volunteers may have. Access to immediate medical care is very difficult to get.
To apply for a volunteer position please send a CV, with a letter describing your reason for wanting to join us this season and one letter of reference. Please use the contact form on our website.
Once your application has been received an interview via phone/skype may be arranged. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.
Good Luck,
Hermann Meuter/Janie Wray