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Conservation Project sea turtles, mangroves and reef 2010 Phra Thong Island   - Thailand

leatherback turtles

By M.Valtanen

Naucrates conservation project is based on Phra Thong island, South Thailand. For the last 12 years the Naucrates research team has been working on SEA TURTLES, MANGROVE FOREST and CORAL REEF.

The coming season will start on 10 January 2010 and will run until 4 April 2010.
Naucrates requires staff members and people who are willing to learn about Thai wildlife and conservation, to help monitor long beaches, to teach English and conservation to the local community, to enjoy the beauty of a tropical and remote island and to work actively towards the preservation of the local nature.
 
Project background
Naucrates, an Italian NGO, has been running a Conservation Project on sea turtles, the mangrove forest and the coral reefs of PHRA THONG island since 1996 in collaboration with the Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC) and the Ranong Coastal Resource Research Station (RCRRS).  The project is registered at the National Research Council in Thailand.
Running parallel with the scientific work that has allowed conservation strategies to be designed and applied to the nesting population, an educational programme in the local schools and conservation awareness activities are also carried out.

children in the naucratesoffice. By M.Aureggi

lesson by volunteers at the local school. By Nuk

Since 1996, we have found and protected nests belonging to 3 different species of marine turtles:  Leatherback, Olive Ridley and Green turtles. During each season, lessons are given in the local schools about conservation.
 
During the past 12 years many volunteers from different countries have helped in collecting valuable information, in applying conservation strategies and conducting education and awareness activities. 
On 26 December 2004 the project was completely washed away.  Our little museum, the volunteer huts, the instruments, the turtle tank, etc, were lost to the Andaman Sea.  However, this is a material loss and nowhere near comparable to the loss of two members of the Naucrates team who were working on the island that day.
After the tsunami, the Naucrates staff continue to provide assistance towards the conservation of the island working in the field every year.
In 2008, the project changed its base. Since January 2008 the conservation team is located within a local village, called Lion village (or Pak Choke), which was rebuilt after the tsunami. The Naucrates team is based in one house, where a room is set up as an office/fieldwork center/shop (locally called “Ban Tau” or turtle house), whilst two other rooms provide accommodation for Naucrates assistants/staff.
In addition to the change in the location, both olive ridley and green turtles visited the island laying various clutches on the beach and providing a high number of hatchlings to the Andaman Sea in 2008. This is an encouraging result and the occurrence of a reasonable number of nests could be the beginning of the result of the Naucrates team’s conservation efforts from the last twelve years.
Another rewarding feeling emerged when observing the young mangrove trees (planted three years ago as part of the Mangrove Rehabilitation Project), which are growing fast and healthy thus contributing to the restoration of the forest that was completely destroyed by the tsunami.

group. By R.Shepherd

volunteer activity

Naucrates collaborates with Mangrove Action Project developing programmes that focus on mangrove rehabilitation, education and conservation on the island.
As the Naucrates team lives within the local community, activities and programmes were developed for both children and villagers. A teacher was employed to conduct environmental education lessons and to teach English in the school and to the villagers. A drawing competition, games, talks, lessons and various activities were all part of the school programme. At the end of the three months, the children showed an improvement in their English skills and a better knowledge about turtles and mangroves.
A pilot home-stay programme was introduced allowing volunteers to stay in local houses and share daily life with the community. Thai lessons were given to volunteers in order to help them to communicate with villagers during their stay at the project.

It is more crucial than ever before that volunteers join us for the 2010 season; they will help us manually and by bringing their skills and knowledge and a small economical contribution to cover some expenses of the project. The team brings life and innovation to the local community encouraging them to understand that the development of ecotourism programmes could be a precious alternative and source of income for their future.

Local fishing boats. By M.Aureggi

motorbike By M.Aureggi

Location
Phra Thong Island, (about 100 km2; 15 km long by 7 km wide), is located about 5 km from the western coast of Thailand in the Andaman Sea (9.03-9.17°N, 98.25-98.33°E).

Species The project focuses on the four species of marine turtles that are found: Olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea), leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) green (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) turtles; the latter has been observed swimming but nests have never been found. The mangrove forest and reef will also be surveyed during the project which involves a number of different species. Together with marine turtles, on the island there are hornbills, sea eagles, many other beautiful and colourful birds, monitor lizards, pangolins, deer, long tailed macaques, otters, crabs, reef fish, bats, lizards, snakes, dolphins, mangroves, coconut trees, etc.

Main nesting beach By M.Aureggi

Projects Base

Project Activities

volunteer activity: Turtle behavioural observation. By M.Moritz

Sea turtle monitoring: sea turtles usually nest on the island in January and February, with their eggs hatching in March. All beaches will be monitored on a daily basis in order to find and protect all the nests. Nests will be protected until hatching. Mangrove Rehabilitation Project (if funding is available) will include planting seedlings, making signs, an educational project, transect surveys. Reef survey and restoration project will be conducted (if funding is available).  The main purpose is to continue evaluating the recovery of the reef after the tsunami and to start restoration activities on the small reef at Koh Pring. The survey consists of snorkelling along defined transects.

volunteers collecting data on a dead stranded hawksbill.

Environmental education: English lessons and environmental education in the local school. Aims of the programme will include: utilizing environmental friendly practices in the village, i.e. planting trees, producing compost, saving water, litter collection etc.; focus on a Reduction, Recycling & Reuse waste management strategy; use of environmental games that educate the young generation.

Accommodation
You will live with a Thai families (home-stay)in different homes but houses are very close to each other. You may have to share a room with another volunteer depending on availability.
One house is used by Naucrates as office and research assistant’s accommodation as well as a volunteer common area. Electricity will be available but only in the evening (after 18.00 every day until about 22.00 at night).

Volunteer Involvement
You will follow a scientific and conservation research program coordinated by the Naucrates staff. You will be required to monitor beaches (15 km) on Phra Thong and Ra Islands, to conduct behavioural observation on turtles feeding and to assist nest hatching.
Every day your duties will include monitoring nesting beaches either during the night or early in the morning. In the afternoon, other activities such as collecting data on the beach, preparing materials for schools, etc. will be carried out.
Environmental education will be conducted in the local school of the village and meetings will be set up with villagers to discuss conservation. English classes will be carried out by volunteers in the local village.
You will also be involved in activities working towards the restoration of the mangrove forest following the guidelines of Naucrates’ researchers. The site was badly damaged by the tsunami and a replanting project was initiated in 2005 along with cleaning of the area.
You will be involved in the reef survey which consists of snorkelling along transects. Training will be given to volunteers on their arrival. An information package will be sent after the booking is confirmed.
Other activities such as beach cleaning, fund raising and planting littoral vegetation will be set up on site during the project.

boat driver: By R.Shepherd

measuring turtle eggs

Volunteer contribution
The contribution required to take part in the project is 650 Euro for two weeks; any additional week is 325 Euro. This will include food and accommodation. You must have your own insurance and support your travel expenses to reach the island (flight, boat, car, etc).
Special rates are available for Thai Volunteers. Please contact Monica Aureggi for more details about it, info@naucrates.org

turtle track. By M.Valtanen

breakfast on the beach

How to Book
Before booking, contact  Naucrates (info@naucrates.org) to find out if there is availability during the two weeks that you would prefer to come to the project.
Then, download the booking form or write to Naucrates directly.

Requirements
No experience is needed, however you must be willing to work hard as the research requires long walks (up to 15 km) in warm and humid conditions. You also need to be friendly and communicative, be able to work in a group and live in a small Thai community.
 You will be on a remote tropical island, and need to be prepared to live without night life, shops, television, etc. You will have a lot of free time during the day to walk and explore the beauty of the island or to read a book. Any health issues must be communicated before booking.

IF YOU LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE PROJECT DOWNLOAD THE FOLLOWING PDF FILE.

OR

For more information contact Naucrates,
Colle Tenne – 04010 Giulianello di Cori (LT) - Italy;

Tel no:+39.3334306643

email: info@naucrates.org
website: www.naucrates.org

address in Thailand from January to end of March:
POBOX 4 - 82150 Kura Buri - Phang Nga - Thailand.