VOLUNTEERING MEXICO

CORAL REEF PROTECTION

Would you like to immerse yourself in a completely new world and discover the Living beings under the Water surface and protect them? With our project on the paradisiacal Caribbean island of Cozumel Everything revolves around the protection of the second largest Coral reefs of the world. Global climate change is leading to rising water temperatures, which is severely affecting coral reefs. Over 50 percent of the world's reefs have already died off and so-called "coral bleaching" is leading to serious problems in the ecosystem. Our project has been working for many years to stop this development. You too can help by actively supporting the project to restore the corals and keep them alive. And along the way, you will also learn Diving. As a volunteer, you will support the organization with daily tasks, help with coral cleaning and learn all about the conservation and reproduction of corals.

Quick Facts

Type of program
Nature conservation project
Program location
Cozumel
, Mexico
Working hours
approx. 5 hours, 5 days
Program start
Every 1st Saturday of the month
Minimum age
18 years
Language
No knowledge
Prerequisites
Suitable for diving, interest in environmental protection
Location
Small town, Close to the beach
Accommodation
Single room, Multi-bed room
Catering
Not included
Support
German-speaking contact person via WhatsApp
Internet
Mobile Internet with SIM card from WanderWorld Travel
Price
Single room
Base price 1st program: 2330,00 €
Extension month: 1330,00 €
Multi-bed room
Base price 1st program: 1880,00 €
Extension month: 900,00 €

Project description

The project on the paradisiacal Caribbean island of Cozumel is committed to the protection and restoration of corals with the aim of restoring coral reefs and promoting research programs. The program was launched in 2013 by motivated biologists to counteract coral extinction. When the founder dived in Cozumel for the first time, he was shocked to see the state of the corals and has been passionately fighting for their preservation every day ever since. And with great success.

Cozumel is surrounded by a reef system over 1,000 kilometers long, the Mesoamerican Reef. It stretches in the Caribbean off the coasts of Mexico, Belize, Honduras and Guatemala and is the second largest coral reef in the world after the Great Barrier Reef. However, the coastal areas are particularly affected by the effects of climate change. It is not only the rise in sea level that poses a particular challenge for shallow regions, but above all the rising temperatures threaten the habitat in the water. The increased water temperature leads to increasing acidification and poses a threat to the up to 4,000 different species in the Mesoamerican reef. In addition, the increasingly frequent storms, which cause major destruction underwater and on the coast with strong winds and tidal waves, are a major problem for the already weakened coral reefs.

The underwater world is a complex community that is interdependent. For example, many fish use the caves and crevices in the reef as a hiding place from predatory fish and as a nursery for their offspring. Coral polyps and algae live in a unique symbiosis that gives tropical reefs their colorful splendor. In addition, small coral polyps are an important source of food for many creatures and thus form the basis of one of the most complex ecosystems on earth. When the ocean warms up, this system breaks down and the creatures die.

This death of corals was documented on the largest scale between 2014 and 2017. More than 70 percent of the world's reefs were affected. Due to global warming, the water temperature is also rising, which stresses the algae in the body of the coral-forming polyps (polyps are small, soft animals that attach themselves to hard surfaces). The algae give the coral its color and when they leave the polyp, the coral bleaches and dies. This global phenomenon is known as "coral bleaching". Almost 50 percent of the world's coral reefs have already died. If current developments are not halted, the coral reefs and therefore all other animals that live in this ecosystem will probably disappear almost completely in the next 30 years.

The "Coral Reef Restoration" project has set itself the task of stopping coral death and restoring the corals on the reef with the help of volunteers and donations. Around 300 volunteers have already been trained in the art of coral restoration and have helped to set up the marine park in Cozumel. There, corals are grown on concrete slabs with cup holders and reconnected to the reef under constant care. In a controlled environment, the corals can slowly grow again without being affected by storms, overdevelopment or diver overload. The volunteers also learn how to preserve the coral reefs, counteract contamination and disease and how they can be reproduced and multiplied.

The so-called Biorock reefs can be built in any size and shape and increase the settlement, growth, survival and resilience of corals and other marine life to severe environmental stresses such as high temperatures, pollution or storms. This is the only way to prevent coral extinction and all help is needed.

The beauty of the reef attracts divers from all over the world to Cozumel, and there are now over 200 diving schools on the island. The many divers and, above all, their treatment of the ecosystem also contribute to coral mortality. For this reason, the project is doing educational work and is committed to ensuring that diving instructors and divers are made aware of this problem.

Tasks

The main task of the project is coral restoration. But what exactly is it and how does it work? Coral reproduction can work in different ways. On the one hand, corals can reproduce by spawning, and on the other hand by so-called "fragmentation". In fragmentation, broken coral branches can form a new colony at a different location on a reef. The project has developed a method to use the natural fragmentation process to efficiently propagate a large number of corals. To do this, coral colonies are fragmented into smaller, finger-sized pieces and hung on so-called "coral trees". These coral trees are connected to the seabed and have space for up to 100 coral fragments. The trees float in the water column to prevent damage to the tree structure or the corals. The nurseries are located in places with as much sunlight as possible and nutrient-rich water columns so that the coral fragments can slowly grow into colonies. After around 6 to 9 months, the fragments are large enough to be "transplanted" to the reef. The corals are attached directly to the reef at selected reef restoration sites. Here the corals can then spawn naturally and continue to reproduce. This method has proven to be successful and has shown that it is possible for reefs to recover on their own with a little support. As a volunteer, you can experience this exciting process with your own eyes and help to implement the restoration tasks. You will have the opportunity to make a lasting contribution to the survival of the reefs and learn an incredible amount about coral restoration in the process.

But there are also some tasks for you as a volunteer outside of the water. You will be responsible for organizing and running events, such as beach clean-ups. You can also create flyers, manage social media channels and promote various projects. So there are no limits to your creativity, but it is particularly important that you are independent and can work independently, as there is a lot to do. However, this also means that your help is highly appreciated and you have the opportunity to get actively involved.

If you start your program in the "Coral Reef Restoration" project, you will first receive a one-week diver training and complete the PADI Open Water Diver Course. All equipment is provided by WanderWorld Travel. All you have to do is buy your own wetsuit and then it's off into the sea! During your diving course, you will learn both the theory for your diving license and the practical aspects in just a few days. Once you have successfully completed the course, which ends with a short theory test, you will be ready to join the project.

In your second week, you will also complete another two-day diving course on "Coral Reef Conservation" and then help with the coral restoration work in Cozumel. This means that you will be able to dive every day, develop your skills and contribute to environmental protection at the same time. You will also learn a lot about the work of the project and can help with studies on the research and conservation of coral reefs. You will also learn a lot of theoretical knowledge about the reproduction of corals, which is helpful for the work under water.

Program location

Cozumel

Cozumel is a Mexican Caribbean island located directly in front of the city of Playa del Carmen. The island is known for its white sandy beaches, azure blue sea and untouched nature. Many tourists come here to soak up the sun and relax on the endless beaches. But Cozumel offers so much more. In Playa del Carmen, one of the best activities is to take the ferry to Cozumel and spend a day on the island.

Surrounding the island is the second largest coral reef in the world - the Mesoamerican Reef. It is considered the best diving spot in the whole of Mexico. You can also book a submarine tour to the reef, for example, or simply snorkel there and marvel at the colorful fish and corals. There is also a shipwreck off Cozumel that sank in 2000 - the "Felipe Xicotenactl Wreck". Sharks, turtles and rays can often be found there.

But there is also plenty to discover on land. Cozumel is home to the Punta Sur Ecological Park, which covers an area of around 2,500 hectares. The perfect place for nature lovers. There you will find exotic birds, crocodiles and turtles, as well as beautiful plants and, of course, white sandy beaches. There is also a lighthouse, which is part of the maritime museum, which you can visit and from whose viewpoint you can even see the coast of Cuba on a good day. There is even an ancient Mayan ruin in the park - the "Tumba del Caracol". In the north of Cozumel there are more Mayan ruins, which are part of the "San Gervasio" archaeological site.

There is a lot to see and experience on Cozumel. There are countless bars and restaurants in the town center. Playa del Carmen is also only half an hour away by ferry and the boats leave every hour.

From Cancún International Airport, you can reach the island by bus and boat in around 2 hours.

Prerequisites

As you will mainly be underwater during your work, you should be fit to dive to take part in the project and not have any illnesses that make diving impossible. You therefore need a diving fitness certificate for diving, which can be issued by your family doctor in Germany. This should be no more than 12 months old. You should also have good swimming skills and not be afraid of open water.

Apart from that, you don't need any special requirements, just motivation, enthusiasm and a love of nature and the sea. You should also be enthusiastic about environmental protection, enjoy working underwater and have the motivation to improve the coral reef situation in the long term. Openness to new cultures is also particularly important to us. Living in a foreign country always requires a certain willingness to adapt, which will be very rewarding for your development.

Language

The national language in Mexico is Spanish. However, the leaders and staff of the project and the diving school are almost all fluent in English, which is why knowledge of Spanish is not a requirement for participants. However, the locals will of course be happy if you can communicate with them in Spanish, which is why basic knowledge is desirable, but not required.

Accommodation and meals

During your time in the project, you will stay in a single or shared room in a hostel right in the center of San Miguel de Cozumel. It is one of the most popular hostels in Cozumel and is frequented by many young people from all over the world. You will quickly get to know other travelers there. The hostel has a pool and a great communal area.

The hostel has a kitchen that you are welcome to use. There are also numerous restaurants and bars in the town that offer regional dishes.

The hostel is approx. 4 km from the project and the diving school. You can reach it by public transport, cab or bicycle. The ferry to Playa del Carmen is just a few minutes' walk away.

Depending on availability, you will stay in a hostel or comparable accommodation.

Contact person

In Playa del Carmen lives our contact person Doris. She is originally from Germany but found her chosen home 2 years ago along the Riviera Maya. There, she works as a tour guide and can provide you with excellent travel tips and leisure activities in Mexico. In her free time, she passionately dives and is well-versed in the underwater world. During the orientation event in Playa del Carmen, she will gladly welcome you and acquaint you with the area.

Woman in yellow top with black backpack smiling into the camera, hair blowing in the wind

Services and prices

Single room
Base price 1st program: 2330,00 €
Extension month: 1330,00 €
Multi-bed room
Base price 1st program: 1880,00 €
Extension month: 900,00 €

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