Manta Caribbean Marine Training Program Volunteer
About the organisation
We are a non profit organization that aims to protect mobulid ray species in the Mexican Caribbean. We are a branch of the UK non profit, Manta Trust.
About the role
If you are interested in manta rays and marine conservation, we want you to be involved! Whether you’re a marine biologist, videographer, GIS mapping expert, graphic designer, or have other skills that you think could be of interest to the project, you can volunteer.
Awareness and education within the community and schools are vital for the health and sustainability of all local ecosystems. Healthy environments and sustainable practices will ensure that industry on the Isla Mujeres will continue into the future and locals will not revert solely to fishing to support their economy.
While volunteering you will have the chance to work on local conservation projects working with schools, local stakeholders, and the general community. You will also learn about manta research, managing the database, photo identification, and hands-on experience in the field by taking manta ID pictures and samples.
Five participants are limited to this program.
This program helps us to keep working towards the conservation and research of the species of mobulid rays within four Marine Protected Areas, the money is the contribution from participants, and in exchange, we provide experience from a local non-profit organization and conservation involvement in our region.
Key responsibilities:
- Follow your instructor’s indications at any time and procedures related to the task assigned to your person.
- Perform data analysis and assist with preparing scientific publications, grants applications, etc.
- Create outreach materials for schools, and communities about marine megafauna and wider marine conservation.
- Maintain equipment and contribute to keeping accommodation facilities clean and in order.
- Conduct fisheries surveys.
- Conduct interviews with local community stakeholders connected with mobulid rays, marine debris, and others.
Did you know that your journey in our Marine Training Program can go even further beneath the surface? For those with a passion for the underwater world, we’re thrilled to share that you have the incredible opportunity to obtain internationally recognized diving certifications during the program!
Whether you’re looking to take your first breath underwater with the Open Water Diver certification, expand your skills and explore deeper with the Advanced Open Water Diver, or even aim to become a leader in the dive community with the Dive Master certification – it’s all within reach as part of your training experience.
The cost for additional diving is separate it from the cost of our Marine Training Program, further information email us: karen@mantacaribbeanproject.org
Requirements
- Minimum 18 years old.
- Environmental or conservation of previous work experience.
- Excellent swimming and snorkeling skills.
- Willing to work sporadic and occasionally long hours on a boat (it is very sunny and hot during those months).
- Strong passion for marine ecosystems/ manta rays/ conservation/education.
- English with an intermediate level minimum.
- We are in a Spanish-speaking country. Applicants with some level of Spanish language knowledge will be given special consideration.
- Creative and innovative person.
- Computer skills (excel. PowerPoint, word, photoshop, graphs).
- Comfortable working long hours at a desk.
- Friendly and enthusiastic personality.
- Comfortable sharing work, and housing with other people.
- Can relate to people of different backgrounds.
- Diving insurance and or full medical insurance.
Costs and inclusions
3 weeks program includes field trips, housing, marine research training, handling equipment, weekly presentations, educational activities, fisheries surveys, database training, and creation of outreach materials.
COST: USD 1,650
Doesn’t include: flights, food other personal expenses.
Start date
Seeking for volunteers for August and Sept 2025 and for year 2026, February and March, plus all summer months from May to Sept 2026.
How to apply
We have a new modality for our summer marine science experiences focused on students or any discipline or professionals interested in learning about manta and devil ray research and conservation work.
All the money goes directly to boat rental costs and housing, the payment goes through the (Manta Caribbean Project) Non-Profit Bank Account.
The process remains the same:
Send your CV, motivation letter, and a professional or academic recommendation.
The second phase is an interview through video call.
In the third phase after a month only successfully selected candidates receive the notification by email, any questions:
