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Understanding marine ecology is a key element for any future conservation strategy. Therefore Mundo Azul has specialized since the year 1999 in underwater biodiversity and ecological research and to date is the only Peruvian non-university private entity undertaking marine research. Counting with our own boat, transportable compressor, diving tanks and other equipment as well as a marine library, a laboratory and a marine species reference-collection, Mundo Azul is active in field research projects along the coast.
See a video of diving in Peruvian kelp forest
See a video of a ship wreck dive
See a video of a dive with sea lions
In 2006 Mundo Azul is opening its research projects for the participation of interested recreational and amateur divers and natural science students with diving licence. As a volunteer in our underwater research program, you will form an integral part of our research team, daily diving three tanks – with eventual night diving in order to investigate behaviour of species being active at night.
Several research projects are implemented near the port of Pucusana, 70 km south of the countries capital. As a volunteer marine researcher you therefore have the opportunity to take part in all of these projects being able to get a deep insight in marine biology and learn a wide range of research methods.
As a volunteer researcher you will learn how to:
- Identify underwater fish and invertebrate species
- Find, identify, and map resting caves of fish species
- Survey population size and density of fish and invertebrate species in different underwater habitats and depths
- Study behavioral aspects of fish and invertebrate species
Following find some examples for research projects you will be able to assist in:
Habitat preference and population density of Lowfin Morays ( Gymnothorax porphyreus)
The Lowfin Moray is the dominant moray species in the central and southern Peruvian coast. The Lowfin Moray is a reddish brown moray upon which yellow marbling and small dark brown spots are superimposed. It grows to a large size of more than 1 meter.
The species frequents cool waters of the eastern Pacific off Chile and Peru and is found at Easter Island, the Kermadecs, Norfolk and Lord Howe Islands, and waters of New Zealand, all south of 25°S.
Mundo Azuls moray research
Mundo Azuls research aims to improve our understanding of the habitats and depths preferred by the moray, to learn if they are using the same crevices or change them frequently, find out about moray population density in different habitats and depth, as well as their day and night time activities and possible interaction with shrimps.
If ou want to learn more about morays – click here
Habitat preference and population density of the Roughjaw Frogfish ( Antennarius avalonis )
The Roughjaw Frogfish is one of the most interesting and attractive fish species in the Peruvian central coast. The fish spends most of the daytime hidden in crevices and holes. The most interesting aspect of the frogfish, apart from his prefect camouflage is the way he attracts his prey. Other fish lie in wait until the prey swims close to their mouth (lie-in-wait predation), but the frogfish (or anglerfish) lures the prey (fish, crustaceans) actively to where it can strike. The lure mimics food animals like worms, small shrimps or small fish. The prey approaches to catch the lure and then is engulfed by the waiting frogfish. This strategy is called aggressive mimicry.
Mundo Azuls frogfish research
Mundo Azuls frog fish research aims to improve our understanding of the habitats and depths preferred by the roughjaw frogfish, to learn if frogfishes are using the same crevices or change them frequently, find out about frogfish population density in different habitats and depth.
As a volunteer diver in Mundo Azuls frog fish research program you will learn how to find frog fishes, how to characterize and mark the crevices frog fishes are found.
If you want to learn more about frogfish – click here
Behavioral patterns of the Magnificent Porcelain Crab ( Petrolisthes desmarestii)
The Magnificent Porcelain Crab is the biggest and most beautiful Peruvian porcelain crab. The research aims to investigate its spatial distribution within the rocky habitat, population densities as well as the night/day activities of the crab.
Symbiotic patterns of the Sea Anemone Phymanthea pluvia and the Anemone Crab Allopetrolisthes spinifrons
The Anemone Crab Allopetrolisthes spinifrons lives on the Sea anemone Phymanthea pluvia . The research aims investigate the host-crab relationship between both species.
If you want to learn more about Porcelain crabs –
click here
The above listed research projects are only a few of the projects planed for 2006 – While being a research volunteer you may also participate in other additional research programs.
Project Skills Required
In order to take part you do not need to have a scientific degree. Even though some biological background is of advantage, it is not a necessary requirement for divers to take part in Mundo Azuls underwater research program. More important is that you do count with the sufficient amount of diving experience, as underwater research is different than recreational diving in its objectives and dive profiles.
Therefore we require you to be a certified recreational diver, counting with a CMAS silver carnet, a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver carnet or a similar level of certification from any other internationally recognized recreational diving association. As visibility under water is at an average 7-10 meters it would be an additional plus if you would have some practice in underwater orientation.
Showing interest for marine biology is the only other additional requirement. You will be instructed, trained and supervised by our researchers on how to perform the easy underwater tasks.
Most of our research projects are non-invasive (with exception of some invertebrate studies), means no physical contact is made with the animals. Therefore there does not exist a danger of physical harm to the diver due to contact with animals.
Most dives will be between 5 and 20 meters of depths, but may reach 30 meters in some cases.
Water temperatures in Peru fluctuate between 14°C in winter (June – September) to 18°C in Summer (December – March). We therefore recommend a 7 mm semidry suite.
We provide you with tanks and leads.
Apart of the necessary diving skills, participation as a volunteer in the underwater research programs requires no specialized skill-set. You will be oriented and trained by our research team to participate fully in the project once you arrive at the study site. Although our field staff speaks English, a little Spanish is of course to your advantage in communications with local fishermen. The only skill we ask for is patience, which is important while learning a new language and negotiating new and different local customs.
We hope that volunteers are open to new adventures, committed to the objectives of the project, and are able to live in a simple environment, in constant and close contact with nature.
If you want to join, click here:
Diving research (15 days)
Diving research (one month)
If you would like to learn more about our volunteer programs, please follow the following links: