A popular animal nursery in Port Stephens is in desperate need of help.

The coronavirus pandemic has forced Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters to close and enter survival mode.

With more than 250 animals cared for at the facility, including several endangered and vulnerable species, it is struggling to survive without the income that is generated by visitors.

The organisation currently spends a minimum of $10,250 a week to feed and care for the animals and pay staff.

“It costs approximately $1,500 daily for food, electricity and staff labour and this is the absolute minimum for all the things we have to do,” Senior Fishkeeper Shiara Henderson said.

“This is causing us a lot of stress because we have over 250 lives to look after.”

To keep caring for these animals, the organisation needs to raise funds to maintain their supplies of food and vitamins, electricity and cleaning products.

Ms Henderson said every aspect of the animals’ care was incredibly important.

“Feeding would be one of the most important things and cleaning as well, we have to make sure their homes are perfect – if we don’t clean, they will get sick,” she said.

“Plus, maintaining all the pumps and keeping an eye on the animals’ health and behaviour.

“Even little things like water testing are really important.”

The service also plays a vital role in conservation and educating the public about its marine life, which is often misunderstood.

To raise these vital funds, the organisation has created a GoFundMe fundraising page.

Initially, its goal was to raise $240,000. However, thanks to the Federal Government’s JobKeeper payment – an initiative that intends to provide wage subsidies to businesses affected by COVID-19 – the goal has been changed to just under $100,000.

So far, more than $11,000 has been raised, with all these funds going towards caring for the animals.

“We are extremely appreciative for everything that people have done so far,” Ms Henderson said.

She added that if you cannot afford to donate money to the service, using your voice, and sharing the cause with your friends and family and on your social media accounts would all help make a difference.