Aquaculture Internship

Overview

The Island School, a not-for-profit organization based in The Bahamas, was founded to create and support transformational educational experiences with the vision of leadership affecting change, on the island of Eleuthera. The diverse educational initiatives, including our High School Semester and Summer Term, Deep Creek Middle School, Elementary Learning Center, and our Community Engagement and Partnerships, deliver unique educational journeys in conjunction with the authentic and meaningful work our organization undertakes in research and sustainable development at the Cape Eleuthera Institute, our research and innovation hub. We are reimagining what education is for and redesigning how education is delivered.

Job Summary

The Cape Eleuthera Institute (CEI) serves as the research, innovation and systems branch of The Island School, working hand in hand with the organization’s educational programs to chart a path toward a more liveable future. CEI conducts environmental research and innovates systems and designs that model how to live sustainably in South Eleuthera, throughout The Bahamas, and in other island nations.

We are looking for an intern to support a United Nations Development Programme-funded (UNDP) project focused on the transfer of the latest grow-out and nursery infrastructure and management practice knowledge, developed globally for supporting commercial lobster exploitation, to Caribbean spiny lobster production in The Bahamas. Working directly with fishers will ensure the innovation is responsible and community-led and is built around core principles of knowledge transfer and training. Such an approach also ensures a viable legacy of the innovation within the community, provisioning a small fisher group with the resources, infrastructure and knowledge to establish a viable grow-out demonstrator.

The primary objective of this position will be to support the PhD Researcher on the UNDP-funded project with the following work packages:

• The co-designing and optimizing of small sustainable grow-out infrastructure for spiny lobster aquaculture

• Establishment of experimental protocols for assessing field based grow out activities post-larval and juvenile spiny lobsters in the Bahamas

• Experimental assessment of field-based grow-out utilising cage infrastructure

• Conducting focus groups with relevant stakeholders on social acceptance of Caribbean spiny lobster aquaculture

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Aid in the collection of biological data on Caribbean spiny lobster sea cage and land based systems
• Aid in conducting environmental monitoring at sea cage and land based sites using YSI equipment and HOBO loggers to monitor effects on growth
• Day to day spiny lobster aquaculture support work (sourcing materials, building equipment, ect.)
• Supporting project outreach programs (e.g., developing posters, presentations, helping with focus groups)
• Data documentation and support report writing

Please indicate your preferred area during the application process. The research projects running at CEI are continually changing as we answer old questions and move on to new ones. As such, the intern experience is highly dynamic and will be different every term. More information on specifics regarding the UNDP project can be discussed during your interview.

Intern position dates available:

• Summer: June 24th 2023 – September 24th 2023

You should be comfortable working in challenging field conditions, have a passion for environmental conservation and a love of teaching students of all ages. Interns are expected to take initiative, be well-organized and resilient, working flexibly across teams within the organization.

Internship Requirements

Aged 18+ with at least one year of professional or college experience

• Completed or be in the process of completing a relevant undergraduate degree
• Working toward a career in aquaculture, marine science, sustainability, or a related field of environmental conservation or education
• Ability to work independently as part of a team, and be adaptable to a flexible schedule

Additional requirements for marine research and conservation internships:

• Physically fit and comfortable swimming
• Prepared to work on boats in adverse weather conditions
• SCUBA diving certification is recommended but not required

Schedule

During a typical work week, you will be expected to work Monday through Friday. Usually, 2-3 of these days are spent in the field and the remaining time is spent maintaining equipment, processing data, and completing other related activities. Occasionally, you will be expected to work evenings or weekends. Whenever possible, you will be given time off during the week as compensation. There are also opportunities to help out with local outreach initiatives both during and outside of work hours.