Text: Jo Moulds

With the world's reefs in a perilous state it's good to know that you can actually do something practical to help the situation. Rather than simply giving money you can work on a conservation project. And you can do it in the sun and enjoy some fantastic diving to boot. Dive Girl has had a look at what is on offer.

Coral Cay
Set up in 1986, David Bellamy is the President of perhaps the best known coral reef conservation non-profit making trust - it's therefore one of the most popular to join. Coral Cay started life with the aim to preserve coral reefs, unlike some of the other groups who have only recently branched out into coral reef conservation. Coral Cay has a highly organised set-up and expeditions depart monthly throughout the year - join one for two weeks up to 12 weeks (you're advised to go for six weeks to really make a difference and get settled in). Coral Cay expeditions train people free of charge up to PADI Open Water and Advanced in one week when you first arrive if you're not suitably qualified already. This is probably one of the reasons why lots of GAP year students join Coral Cay. You can also do more PADI training (like Divemaster) whilst abroad. Coral Cay has so far set up nine marine reserves and wildlife sanctuaries around the world and one new World Heritage Site in Belize. Operations in Belize finished in 1998 but new projects starting in Honduras in the Caribbean, two in the Phillippines, one in Malta, and ongoing projects in Palawan and Borneo in Indonesia make sure there's lots of destinations to choose from. The brochures seem to lean towards the younger age group but it is one of the cheapest of the operations and there's no bones made about what you're getting - accommodation will be basic. Before joining a Coral Cay Conservation expedition, all applicants are invited to attend a presentation to meet CCC staff and past volunteers. This is an opportunity for you to find out about current projects and expedition life. There is an informal interview session after the presentation which aims to assess your suitability and to answer any questions you might have.
How much: two weeks 650 to 12 weeks 2,550 excluding flights
Contact: (0171) 498 6248 www.coralcay.org

Earthwatch
The grandmother of volunteer expeditions and one of the world's largest funders of scientific field research, the Earthwatch Institute celebrated 25 years in 1998 and has had diving expeditions for seven years. Based in America, Earthwatch has European offices in Oxford. You can join 10-day teams with names like, 'Costa Rican Sea Turtles'; 'Bahamas Whales and Dolphins'; 'New Zealand Dolphins'; 'Humpbacks of Hawaii', 'Saving Phillippines Reefs', etc. Some expeditions are boat and land-based and only a few are aimed specifically at divers. The grand titles hide excellent research being carried out by some of the world's most noted scientists. There's a feeling that you'll be more of a bystander than on some of the other expeditions but, for those who like to take more of a step back in style, accommodation sounds more luxurious than others too. You'll pay for the privelege however. For armchair conservation enthusiasts, Earthwatch provides regular updates and magazines for members at 25 per annum.
How much: 925-,1200 for 10 days excluding flights
Contact: (01865) 311600 www.uk.earthwatch.org

Frontier
This is the rufty, tufty of expedition operations. Set up in 1989, Frontier runs 10-week expeditions in rainforest, savanna and coral reef conservation and survey work. Work with local communities is highlighted and volunteers are expected to have a high level of fitness. Frontier uses the word, 'tough', often. Diving expeditions are based in Tanzania, living in a semi-permanent base camp with satellite tented camps; and Mozambique, living in makuti (mud) huts. Frontier set up Tanzania's first Marine Park and the emphasis is on work in unsurveyed and largely unmapped territory, using dhows, the local, traditional boats. Applicants are invited to a full-day session to 'assess your suitability' and for you to learn about Frontier's work. A 20-minute interview in the afternoon is apparently as much for you to ask questions as for staff to decide whether you're right. The projects set off in January, April, July and October and sound extremely rewarding... if you can handle it.
How much: 2,500 excluding flights
Contact: (0171) 613 2422 www.mailbox.co.uk/frontier

Greenforce
The new kid on the block, Greenforce is a small operation - for now - set up in 1997. At the moment there are two terrestrial (land-based) expeditions running in India and Zambia, and two marine expeditions, one on the northern tip of Borneo in the South China Sea and one on one of the uninhabited islands off Fiji in the South Pacific. Teams of volunteers join the diving expeditions for 10 week periods, setting off in January, April, July and October. Free diver training to BSAC Sports Diver is provided, beginning during a Training Weekend before you leave. Accommodation is basic with the 16-strong teams heavily self-reliant. The projects are looking at holistic conservation solutions for each area and there will be much opportunity for working with local communities. Greenforce also aims to promote volunteers to go further in the field of practical conservation. From each team, the most promising volunteer is offered the chance to stay with the expedition for a further three months as a field staff trainee, gaining valuable work experience at no additional cost. Suitable ex-volunteers are offered permanent staff positions over new applicants and Greenforce will fund further post-graduate study for long-serving members of field staff. Lots of enthusiasm and energy and the 'personal touch' seem to be the hallmark of Greenforce so far. Within the 16-people teams, expect a high percentage of students and year-outers, as well as career-break twenty and thirty-somethings.
How much: from 2,200 (10 weeks) excluding flights
Contact: (0171) 470 8888www.greenforce.org

Operation Wallacea
Wallacea is an area covering the remote Tukangbesi archipelago in South East Sulawesi in Indonesia. Since 1995, Operation Wallacea has been creating a species database and gathering comprehensive photographic data of the area - two of the project's key tasks. The emphasis is on academia and working with the local community to develop sustainable growth. Volunteers are invited to join two-week expeditions to help collect data diving twice a day in some of the best diving locations in the world - Jacques Cousteau described it as 'the finest diving in the world'. Longer expeditions of four, six and eight weeks can be arranged. Local expats. are invited to join for one week durations. Training to PADI Open Water level is free and PADI Divemaster is available. Volunteers come from 35 countries and accommodation is at the marine base on Hoga island. On an Operation Wallacea expedition, you'll learn a lot in a short space of time and see a lot of faces coming and going in the serious quest for knowledge.
An expedition for grown-ups.
How much: two weeks 950 to eight weeks 2,450 excluding flights
Contact: (01790) 763665 www.operationwallacea.win-uk.net

Raleigh International
Only good if you're between 17 and 25 years old, Raleigh International has diving operations based on the cays off Belize. Join an expedition for three months and you'll be working to assess the damage created by pollution washed down the rivers of Belize onto one of the largest reefs in the world. Alternatively, you could join Raleigh as a staff member and look after 17-25 year olds. Anyone from diving instructors to marine scientists, doctors, builders and administrators are needed throughout the year, but check that the role you apply for is diving specific - Raleigh also has operations in Belize which are land-based. Divers are trained up within the BSAC system so don't expect to work on your PADI profile with them. Raleigh is very worthy but perhaps not as relaxed as some of the other operations (no alcohol for example!) and you'll be sleeping in a hammock for three months.
How much: Cost of your flight plus subsistence - 1500 for 3 months (staff). For a venturer, you will need to raise around 3,000
Contact: (0171) 371 8585 www.raleigh.org.uk