Marine Conservation

The Marine Conservation of Cambodia is MyGapYear’s local partner that aims to help educate and train the local community in the importance of sustainable practices and how to preserve local marine ecosystems. This project particularly focuses on the protection and conservation of the seahorse population. As a volunteer, you will survey seahorse behavior and the wider ecosystem of the reef to protect the area and minimize the construction of large-scale development.

You will spend a vast majority of your time in the water, specifically as a diver. Dive each day to help with our surveys that we conduct on the artificial and natural reef ecosystems. You will also help with monitoring endangered seahorses and conducting research on their behavior. If you are relatively inexperienced with diving, we provide courses for the PADI Advanced Open Water Dive Certificate during the beginning of the program.

Around 50% of all research done with this project is undertaken while diving. This includes seahorse survey projects and reef information gathering. Our volunteers must have their Advanced PADI Certificate, although you can enroll in our course while in the program.

Volunteer Responsibilities

Research and train in the methods of marine survey while focusing on endangered seahorses and artificial reefs
Dive and survey reefs along the coast including artificial and natural
Dive and survey the endangered seahorse population in critical areas
Provide assistance with reef conservation management and reef cleanup initiatives
Launch conservation education initiatives to the local children
Monitor the Coastal Waste Management & assist in daily beach cleanups

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