about orrca
40 years of rescue, research and response
For more than 40 years, ORRCA has led the rescue, rehabilitation, research and protection of Australia’s marine mammals. Powered by trained volunteers, scientific collaboration and community support, we respond to whales, dolphins, seals and dugongs in need while working to safeguard the future of marine wildlife across our coastline.
what we do
our mission
ORRCA is dedicated to providing the best care and protection for marine mammals across our oceans and shores.
We lead best-practice rescue and response, empower communities and partners through specialised training, and advance research to protect and conserve whales, dolphins, seals and dugongs.
ORRCA’s highly-trained Marine Mammal Rescue Team operates along the east coast of Australia, providing a coordinated, 24/7 response to whales, dolphins, seals, and dugongs in distress.
Powered by a vast network of skilled responders with specialised training in marine mammal rescue and welfare assessment, our team works on the frontline of strandings, entanglements, and emergency incidents. They provide critical on-site care, support disentanglement efforts, and work closely with government agencies and other partners to ensure the best possible outcomes for each animal.
Whether responding to a single stranded dolphin or a multi-day, complex rescue, ORRCA’s team combines decades of experience and rapid response to protect marine mammals in Australian waters.
our story
THE Rescue That Started It All
On June 24, 1985, a mass stranding of 62 false killer whales at Crowdy Head, NSW, sparked an extraordinary response.
In treacherous surf conditions, a local resident took an unprecedented step - transporting a stranded whale by truck to a sheltered fishing port to attempt in-water rehabilitation.
That single act of determination helped enable the successful rescue and return of 33 whales over three days, and became the moment that changed everything.
Image supplied: Manning River Times, 1985
our story
The Birth of ORRCA
Inspired by what was possible when people came together, a group of passionate volunteers formed the Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia (ORRCA) on November 14th, 1985.
Their mission was simple but powerful: to share the knowledge they had learnt at Crowdy Head with the wider coastal community and drive better outcomes for marine mammal incidents in the future.
OUR STORY
building national capability
On February 24th, 1986, ORRCA was incorporated under the NSW Incorporations Act (1984), formalising its role in marine mammal rescue and conservation.
From these early foundations, ORRCA has evolved into a recognised leader in marine mammal rescue and response across Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.
Today, it operates as a highly trained, volunteer-based organisation working in close coordination with government agencies, marine authorities, and specialist partners, forming a unique and world-leading model where official response frameworks and skilled volunteers work seamlessly together in the field.
our story
A Growing Force for Marine Mammal Protection
Today, ORRCA continues to expand its reach along the east coast of Australia, driven by a diverse network of highly-trained volunteers united by a shared purpose.
From hands-on rescue response to education, training, and advocacy, ORRCA remains committed to protecting marine mammals and strengthening the communities that stand ready to help them.
ORRCA Impact Report
Helped
June to October
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ORRCA’s highly-trained team is 100% volunteer run. We handle life-saving calls 24 hours a day, every day, but we need your help to keep making an impact.
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ORRCA acknowledges and pays respect to the past, present and future Traditional Custodians of Country, valuing their knowledge and connection of land, sea and sky. We recognise their deep cultural and spiritual connection to marine mammals within these waters