From rescuing stranded seals to monitoring migrating whales, ORRCA’s volunteers are on call year-round to protect and care for marine mammals along our coastline. The Mid South Coast POD, which covers the stretch from Gerroa and Jervis Bay down to Kioloa, plays a vital role in responding to emergencies, educating the community, and promoting ocean conservation.
We caught up with Marianne Cool from ORRCA’s Mid South Coast team to learn more about the organisation’s work, what whale season looks like in our region, and how the community can help protect the incredible marine life that shares our shores.
1. Can you tell us a little about ORRCA (Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia) and the work you do along the South Coast?
So ORRCA is an all-volunteer organisation that helps with the rescue and research of Marine mammals in Australia. That’s whales, dolphins, seals and dugongs. We have teams located all along the East Coast of Australia – called PODs – and we are one of those PODs called Mid South Coast. We look after the coastline from Gerroa/Jervis Bay down to Kioloa.
2. How did you first get involved with ORRCA, and what drew you to marine rescue
It was one of those things that when you arrive here (I immigrated from Europe nearly 14 years ago for love – as you do…) you try and find your tribe and volunteer for lots of things until you find the right fit. Having always had a huge love and respect for the ocean and its life, and remembering that when I was about twelve years old I wanted to join Greenpeace and save the whales by chaining myself to the whaling boats (bad idea but I was only 12….) ORRCA seemed a great fit.
3. It’s whale season — what does this time of year look like for your team?
This season has been crazy busy! ORRCA runs a 24/7 – 365 days a year hotline that people can call when an animal is in trouble, and the number of calls this year has increased significantly. Every time an incident happens in our area, our entire team gets a text message asking for assistance on the ground. That can vary from seal body assessments or monitoring, help spot entangled whales, crowd control and public education etc. – every incident is different. On top of that we try and increase awareness via community talks, workshops, events and markets.
4. How can the community safely report or help with stranded or entangled marine animals?
We always say: ‘compassion matters but when it comes to wild animals, the safest help is informed help’. These are big animals in a big ocean so the best way to help if you see or suspect a marine mammal in trouble is to call our hotline and let our trained volunteers do what they do best. Our hotline number is 02 9415 33 33 and you can call us anytime. And if you’re super keen come and join us! We’re always looking for more volunteers and you get to learn a lot and sometimes get to hang out with some super cool animals.
5. ORRCA is looking to fundraise for a drone — can you explain why this is so important for rescues?
Thought you’d never ask! Yes! we desperately need a drone in our Team Rescue Kit! Animal entanglements are increasing, and our part of the coastline gives us one of the last few opportunities to help them before they truly head back south to Antarctica. Having a good quality drone will significantly increase our chances to find or track an entangled whale or dolphin and help us get a better understanding of the configuration of its entanglement – which in turn will increase the chances of a successful and safer disentanglement by specialised teams. A drone can also help identify and study less common animals such as the endangered Southern Right Whale, or the unique White Whale that past Ulladulla lighthouse just recently!
6. Can you share a rescue story or moment that’s stayed with you?
OMG – only one?? I can talk rescues all day haha. Probably one that has stayed with me for a long time was a beautiful Leopard Seal that decided to hang out on 7 (!) different beaches in our area for nearly 3 weeks last year August. First at Bawley Point, then Ulladulla Racecourse, Conjola, back to Kioloa, and it ended up around Callala Bay. We spent hours monitoring, documenting and chatting to beach walkers about this unique visitor from Antarctica that only sometimes gets seen here. A great learning experience for our team and the community!
7. Finally, what message would you like to share with the community this whale season?
I feel we live in an amazing community and are very lucky to be able to share our backyard (and sometimes our beaches) with these beautiful animals. Let’s continue to give them the space they need to survive and thrive whilst also looking after their home by reducing plastics and picking up rubbish. Oh, and please call us straight away if you are concerned about a marine mammal!