February/March 2005 Expedition to Myanmar

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Reef Check Volunteer Expedition to Myanmar (Burma) in February/March 2005

In 2005 Europe Conservation Switzerland will have a Reef Check-Expedition to the Mergui-Archipelago. We will sail on Marinasia’s Catamaran SeaNomad to the islands offshore Southern Myanmar and survey the reefs, snorkel from golden beaches, and anchor in tranquil bays. We will visit remote fishing villages and cities in Myanmar.

Programme: Departure: February 21, Ranong (Thailand)
Return: March 6, 2005, Ranong (Thailand)

The programme of the trip is to sail from Ranong (Thailand) to the North. Weather permitting, we will reach Mergui City. The main goal of the expedition is to try to survey as many coral reefs as we can on the way, according to the Reef Check methods (for details see https://reefdpd.wpengine.com). In the first two days we will have a short training session in these methods, later we will carry out the actual surveys. We will also have the chance to visit islands, coastal settlements and cities in Myanmar.
Besides the surveys, we will also have fun dives. There is no preset daily schedule; we will make plans on the way, as many things are unforeseeable. We intend to make two dives per day, some days more, some days less. We assure you that all this will be great fun, and even the Reef Check “work” dives are exciting.

If time allows, we will enter data collected during the surveys and make preliminary analysis of the results during the cruise.
The Andaman Sea is a great place for underwater photography, particularly for close ups. There will be enough time for pleasure dives.

Contributions: Total: 2000 Euro for 14 days/13 nights Included:
• Transfer to and from the boat
• Stay on boat
• Food, drinks (non-alcoholic beverages)
• Taxes to Myanmar authorities
• Reef Check training and materials
• Dive tanks, compressor rental, filling of tanks

Not included:
• Personal diving equipment
• Travel to Thailand
• Travel from Bangkok or Phuket to Ranong
• Hotel
• Visa fee (Myanmar) for participants; 20 US$ + 5$ handling

If you are interested to join this exciting trip, please respond soon by e-mail to 2005@reefcheck.de.
Space is limited, we will accept volunteers on a “first come, first serve” basis.

Find more information about this trip and previous Reef Check expeditions to the Mergui Archipelago in 2001, 2003 and 2004 on http://www.reefcheck.de/en and http://marinasia.com