Our Eco Divemasters are role models for other divers in the fight to protect our marine environment. Enroll in our Coastal Ecology Program now to join the Eco Ambassadors!
INTRODUCTION
In a world where we are becoming more and more conscious of the threats of climate change and the impact on our reefs, more knowledge is needed about how to tackle these problems and understand how we, as divers, can effect change.
Join our Research Center team during your Divemaster internship to become an Eco Divemaster and use your knowledge to help other divers become the change that is required to save our precious ecosystems.
In a world where we are becoming more and more conscious of the threats of climate change and the impact on our reefs, more knowledge is needed about how to tackle these problems and understand how we, as divers, can effect change.
Join our Research Center team during your Divemaster internship to become an Eco Divemaster and use your knowledge to help other divers become the change that is required to save our precious ecosystems.
Takata’s Coastal Ecology Program is an intensive educational program that will guide you towards a better understanding of coastal ecosystems and of the role of divers in ocean conservation. It contains the necessary tools to understand, appreciate and protect the marine environment.
ABOUT THE COURSE
We take a systemic and multi-disciplinary approach to our subject matter, focusing our attention on a diversity of systems that are connected to the ecology of coastal biomes: biological systems, ecosystems, earth systems and social value systems. This allows us to include the human element in our understanding of ecology.
Scheduled activities include interpretation dives, a field visit to the mangrove forest, socio-environmental volunteering activities, ethics discussions and a research project presentation.
The Coastal Ecology Program is run concurrently with your Divemaster course, giving you time to integrate your learning with the practical side of the internship.Typical Eco Divemaster interns spend 6 to 8 weeks with us in Mahahual, allowing for sufficient time to understand the intricacies of our coastal ecosystem and gain invaluable experience with our team of talented scientists.
COURSE CONTENT
The program’s content is inspired by college and university level biology, ecology, environmental sciences and environmental sociology curricula. It consists of 35 hours of activities divided in four modules:
1. Coral Biology: all you need to know about reef building corals, from the tiny polyp to reef formation.
2. Tropical Coastal Ecology: contemporary models of ecosystem structure and how these apply to a variety of coastal ecosystems: reefs, mangroves and seagrass meadows.
3. The Anthropocene and our Oceans: the impact of human activities on our ocean ecosystems, conservation status of reefs worldwide and conservation efforts.
4. Environmental Ethics: a sociological approach to environmental value systems and exploration of a variety of environmental philosophies.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Rescue Diver or equivalent with at least 40 logged dives.
No previous marine biology qualifications are required for the course.
If you are interested in joining the program but do not yet meet the pre-requisites, contact us to create a personalized package.