This time last year, I was up to my neck in coursework for my Marine Biology MSc…..all I could think about was the next deadline, and the next one…etc. But a small part of me was screaming that I needed to make plans, needed to set myself some goals for after all the studying was done; thats when I stumbled across the Sea Watch Foundation website and its advert for interns. I’ve previously volunteered for sea turtle and coral reef conservation projects, however I always wanted to get involved in a marine mammal organisation- so this seemed like a perfect opportunity! I sent in my application, then tried to put it out of my mind for a while…..I was convinced that I had no hope, having never worked with marine mammals before. But then the email came…I was accepted for period 4 (September-October)!
The village of New Quay, home to the Sea Watch Foundation
Photo credit: Laura Bartlett
The first week of my internship was all about training….I learnt so much about the Sea Watch Foundation itself, and about their methodologies. I was especially interested in the photo identification process as I knew that was a skill I would need if I wanted to pursue a career in research. Once training was complete…..we were ready to do all the landwatches, boat surveys and data entry shifts we could! I did struggle with the early (7am) and late (5pm) landwatches, but seeing dolphins always made me forget my tiredness!
A close encounter with dolphins
Photo credit: Laura Bartlett
I think I speak for most interns when I say the full day boat surveys were one of the highlights of the intern experience. Whether I was making observations, recording environmental data, or videoing dolphin encounters, I really felt like I was contributing to the overall research. Watching everyone jump to attention on hearing the cry of “dolphin” is also a sight definitely worth seeing. However for me personally, the communal living and camaraderie of the house was the absolute highlight of my experience. I had two fantastic roommates, and houseful of like-minded souls, who kept me thoroughly entertained…which is important after a day of hard conservation work! Being with people who have the same interests and career goals as you is actually quite comforting.
An intern using acoustic monitoring equipment during a survey
Photo credit: Beth Smith
Interns recording primary observations during a line transect survey
Photo Credit: Laura Bartlett
So yeah, thats about it. I really enjoyed my time in New Quay, and was gutted that my time came to an end; I wish I could’ve stayed longer. I highly recommend the opportunity, so if you’re reading this and think it might be right up your street then I urge you to apply by clicking here and following the instructions. You won’t regret it!
A few of the interns from period 4
Photo credit: Julie Hanks
Written by: Laura Bartlett
