The Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute (BDRI) is an independent marine science center dedicated to research, education, and conservation of marine mammals and marine birds. The mission of the BDRI since 2005 has been to study marine biodiversity and to educate scientists, students, decision-makers, and the public on scientific research and how to contribute to marine conservation. BDRI scientists conduct research across a wide range of subject areas such as the link between marine predators (cetaceans, otters, and marine birds) and their environment, cetacean society and population dynamics, the interaction between marine megafauna and human activities, and cetacean behaviour and acoustic communication. Our research team also trains future generations of marine scientists and are committed to understanding and reducing the impact of human activities on the marine ecosystems. BDRI’s reputation and success rest solidly on its ability to publish multiple scientific studies in prestigious scientific journals.
BDRI members seek to contribute to the understanding and conservation of marine mammals and marine birds, expand the public's knowledge and concern for our marine environment, and add to the scientific knowledge through the publication of scientific articles from our own field data. BDRI's scientists work collaboratively with various research institutions in order to advance knowledge of the marine environment and highlight the importance of marine biodiversity conservation. The BDRI performs systematic surveys to monitor marine mammals and marine birds along the Galician coast (Atlantic waters, NW Spain), as it is a place with a great array of research questions to be answered regarding these animals and their environment. Surveys are carried out both from the coats and on-board BDRI's research vessels in coastal and pelagic waters of Galicia.
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One of the aims of the BDRI is to train future marine mammal scientists by offering a wide range of programs and opportunities for students at all stages of their career. In addition to the marine research activities, we have rigorous educational programs providing work experience opportunities: internship positions (long-term placement), volunteering (short-term placement), training courses, and university project placements for bachelor and master students throughout the year.
Our educational programs aim to prepare students for a professional career in the research of marine mammals, marine birds, and conservation of the marine environment. If you want to be a part of this unique experience and are a person who is interested in going abroad and obtaining hands-on experience in scientific research, boat-based field work, intensive training while having fun and meeting people from all over the world, then these are the programs for you.
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