Since no one yet understands "dolphin talk," the only way scientists are able to learn why many dolphin species are disappearing at an alarming rate, is through constant research at the sites of their habitat.

Aside from pollution and climate change, some dolphin populations have greatly diminished in size through increased human encroachment, while others have disappeared altogether from portions of their former range.

The scientists at the Ionian Dolphin Project aim to understand, through long-term monitoring, how the local dolphin communities interact with their environment and how human activities, such as fisheries and pollution, may affect its conservation status.

According to the IDP sponsor, the Tethys Research Institute located in Milan, Italy, the IDP uses state-of-the-art techniques to 1) offer management action, 2) promote marine conservation in Greece, and 3) support conservation efforts in the wider Mediterranean region.

I, along with other volunteers at the IDP project, will conduct daily surveys on board the research boat, working side-by-side with the researchers and contributing to field data collection. We will actively engage in visual surveys, looking for dolphins, sea turtles, birds and other fauna during navigation, After each survey, all data is entered in a data base and, afterwards, theres will be discussions about the day's experience between the scientists and volunteers.

Being part of a volunteer vacation will be an exciting and interesting new experience for me! I do enjoy being a tourist in new places, but I enjoy, even more so, being a contributing part of a worthwhile cause and immersing myself in a new culture.

Tomorrow I'm up and away to Greece via Toronto, Canada. My next post will be written after arriving in Athens. I'll be staying for two nights at a hotel near the airport before taking a 5 hour bus ride to Vonitsa. 'Til then!

Arley Harriman

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