COVID-19 has put a stop to many things in the region but it hasn’t impacted the need to support marine animals requiring rescue and rehabilitation.

Despite its challenges, Port Stephens-based conservation organisation Sea Shelter has been working hard to do just that.

The not-for-profit entity rescues, rehabilitates and releases sea life in the region while also working to protect and regenerate marine habitats. 

The group’s latest success story is Krill – a juvenile green sea turtle.

“Krill was brought into the care of Sea Shelter and the team at Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters in early March 2021,” volunteer Kira Ridgewell said.

“She was found at Corlette by an ocean swimmer who stated that he was enjoying his daily swim when he felt something bump into him.

“After watching Krill he noticed she had a heavy starboard list (leaning to the right) and was struggling to swim. 

“The swimmer then called Sea Shelter and Ryan Pereira, one of Sea Shelter’s founders, drove down to rescue Krill.

“Once she was taken into care, faecal samples were taken [and they] revealed that Krill had an infestation of Coccidiosis (a parasitic disease of the intestines).”

The turtle was also underweight and had an excessive amount of barnacles. 

What followed was a course of antibiotics, barnacle removal and a weight adjustment from nine kilograms to 14. 

“During August Krill started showing signs of good health and was swimming around her tank looking better than ever,” Kira said.

The team knew she was ready to return home but decided to wait until the end of winter to release her. 

“Tuesday 7 September soon arrived and Krill was taken to Little Beach, Nelson Bay, to be released by Ryan with the help of John and Mandy Dedman,” Kira said.

The Dedmans were awarded the opportunity to help release Krill after winning a competition on World Oceans Day – Wednesday 8 June.

While it was difficult to see her leave, Kira says her release was an incredible achievement. 

“It was such an exciting day as it was quite a long time coming,” she said.

“Some people may see it as sad watching an animal you have worked with be released but it is quite the opposite.

“It was such a happy sight to see her swim into the ocean, knowing that she was now healthy and about to embark on a new adventure in her life.”

It was emotional for Kira because Krill was the first animal she got to work with at Sea Shelter. 

“I quickly learnt that she had quite a big personality and an even bigger love for squid,” she said.

“While cleaning her tank she would follow you around, constantly nudging your leg checking if you had any food. 

“Every day with Krill was different.

“Watching her recover and grow during her time at Sea Shelter was truly inspiring.”

Kira says the best way people can support their work is to keep an eye out for vulnerable sea life, like Krill. 

“Donations are also very much appreciated as Sea Shelter is a not-for-profit organisation and runs almost entirely on the generosity of the community and the volunteers that lend their time.

“The last thing the community can do to support the work Sea Shelter does is to live as sustainably as possible and to protect our oceans. 

“This can be done by swapping to more sustainable products such as reusable shopping bags and metal straws or can even be done by just simply picking up any rubbish that you see out in the environment and placing it in the bin.”

For more information about Sea Shelter, go to it’s website.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, email team@seashelter.org.au

Get all the latest Newcastle news, sport, entertainment, lifestyle, competitions and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Newcastle Weekly Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.