Pay-to-volunteer model to facilitate marine conservation interventions: an NGO case study from the Philippines

Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute Philippines (LAMAVE) is the largest independent non-profit non-governmental organisation dedicated to the conservation of marine megafauna in the Philippines, namely elasmobranchs,... [ view full abstract ]

Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute Philippines (LAMAVE) is the largest independent non-profit non-governmental organisation dedicated to the conservation of marine megafauna in the Philippines, namely elasmobranchs, cetaceans and turtles. In order to operate effectively, funding mechanisms must be in place to fulfil conservation objectives. LAMAVE works by first identifying conservation priorities or loopholes with marine megafauna species and their habitats. We then calculate the expected cost of a given intervention at a site, involving local stakeholders, and clarifying what deliverables can be expected from such an intervention. Pay-to-volunteer models can provide an effective way of achieving conservation outputs, assuming the objective is clear. Some schemes have failed to deliver conservation outputs, and have thus been branded ‘voluntourism’, where volunteers participate in conservation-branded activities as tourists. LAMAVE operates a different model under similar grounds: volunteers pay to participate in educational research-to-conservation programmes. The aim of such a model is to ensure conservation outputs and deliverables are met, and not to profit from such a scheme. The income generated is used to cover the conservation intervention in which volunteers participate for a minimum amount of time to ensure an educational, real research, hands-on experience. We have replicated this model across multiple sites involving different species and their habitats in the Philippines. The priority remains the maximization of marine conservation outputs whilst ensuring the active involvement of volunteers in the research. Such a model can complement traditional grant-dependent funding by which large-scale interventions can be pursued and are thus not mutually exclusive.