| Key Activities | 🛟 Rescue • 🏥 Rehabilitation • 📚 Public Education |
|---|---|
| Location | 467 E Main St. Riverhead, NY 11901, USA |
| Seal Hotline | +1 631 369 9829 |
| Website | https://nymarinerescue.org/ |
| Founded | 1996 (originally as Riverhead Foundation) |
| Species | harbor seal • grey seal • harp seal • hooded seal |
| Rehab & Release | ✔ |
| Sanctuary | ✖ |
| Open to Public | ✖ |
| How to Help | Donate • Adopt • Volunteer |
The New York Marine Rescue Center (NYMRC) is the only marine mammal and sea turtle rehabilitation center in New York State, authorized by NOOA. Founded in 1996 as the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research, it rebranded in 2019 to better reflect its mission and scope. NYMRC serves as the primary responder for sick or injured seals, sea turtles, dolphins, porpoises, and small toothed whales across the state.
NYMRC is located within the Long Island Aquarium, but operates as an independent non-profit. Through a partnership with the Aquarium, which provides essential space, system maintenance, and staff support, NYMRC merges scientific expertise with public engagement to advance marine conservation along New York’s coastline.
Their work spans rescue, rehabilitation, education, and research, with a strong emphasis on community involvement, from satellite tagging sea turtles and seals with the involvement of school classes to hosting beach cleanups and educational workshops. Since its inception, NYMRC has rescued nearly 6,000 animals, including over 2,300 sea turtles and 2,600 seals.