Conducted in Queensland’s beautiful Whitsunday Islands, this initiative is driven by a commitment to the environmental protection and sustainability of the East Australian humpback whale population.

This unique whale research program centres on the need to obtain real science from tangible conservation endeavours, sourcing data that is highly sought after by the International Whaling Commission.

The adventure begins in Airlie Beach, one of the gateways to the Whitsundays and Great Barrier Reef, where you will work with fellow volunteers and professionals on scheduled research trips.

Research Assistant has the unique opportunity to spend time with marine experts on the Great Barrier Reef, conducting important research on breeding activities, communication patterns, and anthropogenic impacts.

Research Assistants learn and experience firsthand about the impact of climate change and the variable conditions from the Antarctic sea-ice ecosystem that influences the behaviours of these magnificent creatures.

 

Your Contribution

Research assistants are involved across a broad range of tasks that are fundamental to the program. This will be inclusive of marine radio operations, program health, safety, and environmental protocols, monitoring whale behaviour, data management, GPS operations, genetic sampling, video recordings and photo identification among other activities.

Assistants in this field are integral to the viability of this operation by providing hands-on productivity. No matter how large or small the individual contributions are, from large data collection endeavours to helping with the cleaning and cooking, each effort pushes the agenda forward.