ASR North Coast (Ballina)

HEAD OFFICE

Phone: (02) 66 862 852 / 0428 862 852
Acting Co-ordinator: Keith Williams
Email: admin@seabirdrescue.org

Area covered: 220 km of coastline between the Tweed and Clarence Rivers (Tweed Heads – Yamba)

It all started in Ballina as the seabird rescue division of Northern Rivers Wildlife Carers in late 1992, when the focus was mainly on pelicans injured by accidental entanglement by recreational fishers and unattended set lines. Regular patrols saw 100 pelicans rescued in the first year and activities soon included any injured shorebird or seabird species. In 1995 this expanded to rescuing sick and injured beach-washed sea turtles. In 1996, a rudimentary turtle rehabilitation facility was added to the seabird rehab facilities at West Ballina. As we were regularly patrolling the beaches and foreshores, we were often the first on the scene of marine mammal strandings and so began assisting the local National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) with these situations.

In March 2001, ASR was incorporated as a separate and independent association, and licensed by NPWS throughout the NSW coast. In October 2004 ASR’s rescue, rehabilitation and education facilities were centralised at the WildlifeLink Sanctuary in Ballina. Formerly a wedding reception centre, the 5 acre riverside property with saltwater and freshwater lakes was ideal for ASR’s activities and development. Following renovations, the Centre was opened in 2005 to visiting school groups and the public. Meanwhile, regular active patrols continue throughout the Far North Coast, between the Tweed and Clarence Rivers (Tweed Heads – Yamba).