A Glimpse Into My Volunteer Work – An Adventure for Coral Reefs

Hello everyone,

My name is Franzi, and I am a volunteer from Germany here in Cozumel, supporting the Coral Reef Restoration Program for two months. Through this blog, I would like to give you a little insight into the tasks and experiences I’ve had so far during this time.

Every day, I am busy with various tasks, all aiming towards one common goal: protecting and nurturing the coral reefs. My daily tasks include cleaning and taking care of the corals, planting new fragments, checking and maintaining the diving equipment, and cleaning the beach. However, besides these routine tasks, I’ve also had the chance to work on two particularly exciting projects.

One of these projects was creating a map for a specific area near our coral nursery. This area is surrounded by many small islands, which Jan (another volunteer) and I were tasked with mapping. The underwater mapping was definitely a highlight for me. We had to create the map underwater, so first, we sketched the islands to get an overview. Afterward, we carefully drew and numbered the islands. It was important not only to draw the islands accurately but also to measure the distances and depths to make the map as clear as possible. Once we had everything underwater, we refined the map on land and made it more visually appealing. It was fascinating to create this map, and I really enjoyed trying something completely new. Our map now hangs in the lab and has become a valuable tool for the team.

Another task I was given was checking the platforms. Some of them had lost their numbers, which made identification difficult. So, I dove to the platforms, noted which ones still had their numbers and which ones didn’t, and then retrieved new numbers from the lab to attach to the platforms. It was a small but important task.

In the final weeks of my stay, I’m looking forward to a very special task: I’ll be creating a new map to mark the exact locations of a specific coral species. This map will help us react quickly when the new pier for cruise ships is built. That way, we’ll know exactly where the corals are located and can rescue and relocate them in time. For this map, we will be using GPS technology, which I find very exciting. I’m really curious to see how this project will unfold, and I’m looking forward to being part of it.

I am truly grateful to be part of this amazing project. It’s not only a fantastic opportunity to actively contribute to the protection of our oceans, but it’s also a chance to learn an incredible amount. The work is a lot of fun, and I am thankful for every single experience I get to have here.

Thank you for your interest and support!

Best regards from Cozumel, Franzi