Local legend Amanda Philp of Australian Seabird & Turtle Rescue has been awarded a prestigious Churchill Fellowship to study a devastating viral disease which affects green sea turtles here and around the world.

The Australian government’s commitment to act on the scourge of lethal ghost fishing nets has been welcomed by the Australian Marine Conservation Society and Dhimurru Aboriginal Corporation.

NSW Greens MP and healthy oceans spokesperson Cate Faehrmann is calling on the Minns government to abandon the use of shark nets in NSW after yesterday’s release of a shocking report into the numbers of animals caught in nets over the last summer.

Animal conservationist groups are appalled at a decision by the NSW government to reinstate shark nets in coastal waters starting in spring.

With 349 turtles, 1349 birds and 81 sea snakes being rescued over the past three years, Ballina's iconic Australian Seabird and Turtle Rescue is modernising and expanding. Assistant Manager Amanda Philp talked to The Echo about what's happening at the rescue centre on North Creek Road during the school holidays.

Last week saw the immediate banning of the release of helium balloons in Tweed Shire for events on public land and at Council-owned facilities. 

A massive influx of injured birds, turtles and sea snakes over recent weeks has pushed Ballina's Australian Seabird Rescue to the edge of capacity, and needing extra assistance from the community.

Shocking pictures of marine life killed or injured by Queensland shark nets have been obtained under FOI and released this morning by Sea Shepherd Australia, showing dolphins, rays and turtles caught in nets.

Last week’s sighting of turtle tracks on Clarkes Beach prompted a few questions from concerned readers. Are sandbags on our eroding beaches a threat to nesting turtles?

Tracks belonging to an egg-laden female turtle have been spotted on Clarkes Beach.