Here at Big Blue Conservation, we’ve just wrapped up another busy month of saving the ocean, jam packed full of biodiversity surveys, under water clean-ups, coral restoration and lots and lots of diving – but we haven’t been doing it alone.
Elise, Big Blue’s newest Conservation intern, has been here for the whole ride; here is what she has to say about August’s happenings and what to expect from an internship with Big Blue Conservation…
“Hi, I’m Elise and I just finished up the Eco Internship with Big Blue Conservation! Yes, I love coral, no I was not paid for this review! My goal is to share my experience for those who are looking to learn more.
After teaching English for the past year in Chumphon, Thailand, I find my way to the scuba diving sanctuary of Koh Tao, and immediately feel at home. With no science background and only an Open Water Certification under my belt, Jade, the BBC Marine Biologist and Scuba Instructor, embraces me with open arms and opens my eyes to the wonders of the underwater world. I spend mornings in our classroom overlooking the water, and afternoons using that knowledge 30 meters under the surface. Coming from someone who knows very little about marine ecosystems, but has a strong desire to learn, Jade is an awesome instructor, starting with the most basic level, and building the ecosystems from the ground up.
After spending many hours becoming comfortable IDing fish, invertebrate, and coral species, sometimes bringing a coral book underwater to help, the internship culminates with a weeklong research project of my own design. I truly feel like a scientist, creating a project proposal, collecting survey data at the dives sites, and analyzing the data to form conclusions. I think the best part of this process is that it is exactly what I want it to be. I chose the effort level and time management, and have Jade as an advisor and partner through it all.
Diving every day for a month is a dream come true, but I also feel like I am making a small but significant impact on the environment around me. Between helping with the BBC artificial reef, and participating in the monthly dive against debris trash collection, I am ethically fulfilled. Picking up trash underwater is a treasure hunt. Of course I wish to find no plastic in the ocean, but because there always is some, it’s fun to find and gather as much as possible.
Not to mention, living in Koh Tao is a tropical paradise, with white sand beaches, delicious local food, and warm blue water. It is the perfect place to take a step back, embrace nature, and do your part to help conserve the beautiful and valuable reef environments. If you want to experience the quiet peacefulness of the underwater world, jump into the Koh Tao reef conservation efforts, and get a taste of what it takes to be a marine biologist, BBC is the place for you.”
If you’re interested in joining us for a week, a month, or even longer, find the right course for you right here.