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City of Malibu bans both regular and biodegradable bags

2008-05-13T10:31:00.000-07:00

The City of Malibu proved to be a leader in local ordinances by banning both regular and biodegradable bags in all retail stores at their City Council meeting last night (5/12/08).

Zuma Lagoon in Malibu - dotted with floating plastic bags - May 2008 - Photo by: N. Hastings

Ordinance 323 was passed unanimously by the Malibu City Council members after a presentation by the local Boys and Girls Club and Heal the Bay. West LA/Malibu Chapter Executive Member Andrea Boccaletti presented testimony on behalf of the Chapter describing the prevalence of plastic bags at the beach clean up in Zuma Beach last weekend. Angela Howe spoke on behalf of Surfrider to tell about our Rise Above Plastics campaign efforts and the need for local leadership on a municipal level, especially in Malibu where Surfrider began in 1984.

A lot of people questioned the reasoning behind banning biodegradable bags? Well, the conditions required for these bags to biodegrade - heat, pressure and bacteria - are not the same in the ocean as on land... and bottom line... biodegradable bags kill marine life.

This is an important win in the fight against plastics. Several members of the West LA/Malibu Chapter were on hand to support the plastic bag ban, and residents thanked Surfrider Foundation for our testimony.

For more information, see http://www.malibutimes.com/articles/2008/05/09/news/news3.txt

Once Upon a Tide

2008-05-09T15:44:00.000-07:00

A tale of a young girl who finds out about our world's dependence on the ocean, and the beauty and life we would forsake if we lost its bounty...

http://www.healthyoceans.org

"Working with award-winning filmmakers (Sea Studios Foundation) and animation studio (LAIKA/house) the Center for Health and the Global Environment at Harvard Medical School produced a 10-minute film that reconnects its audience to the importance of the marine environment for all life on Earth, including human life. Unlike conventional natural history documentaries, the film title Once Upon a Tide, is a fictional narrative that blends the moral and visual elements of a fairy tale to inspire us to recognize the importance of ocean conservation. This modern day fable is an innovative educational approach that will be shown in aquari-ums, museums, theaters and schools nationally and internationally. Film distribution includes educational ‘take-away’ guides for viewers."

Oregon Youth Volunteers Present to Newport City Council

2008-05-07T20:04:00.000-07:00

http://www.surfrider.org/centralcoastoregon/

This Monday, The Oregon Coast Aquarium’s Youth Volunteers, as part of their collaborative project with Newport Chapter of Surfrider Foundation, presented their winter project to Newport City Council on their findings and recommendations for Nye creek water quality issues. Through the creation of a youth volunteer group, Nye – Awareness, Research, Monitoring and Stewardship (ARMS), the Newport Chapter was aiming to get some better public messaging about the water quality issues facing Nye Beach and creek.

Renee Rensmeyer, youth volunteer coordinator, worked with local chapter members to mentor the Nye ARMS winter project. The kids, over the course of the winter project, helped increase monitoring and source ID efforts, tracked storm drain pollution and helped direct the city’s smoke and dye testing of the storm drain lines for sewage misconnections (helping to identify 5 sewer lines connected to the stormdrains…yuck!). Additionally the group did stewardship cleanups, mapping and finalized their project with a powerpoint presentation and ordinance recommendations for the Newport City Council.

Kelly Slater Partners with Eddie Vedder for Event to Support Trestles

2008-05-07T11:04:00.000-07:00

On April 19th Kelly Slater launched his new foundation with an evening event featuring an acoustic performance by Eddie Vedder. They raised over $350,000 dollars to benefit several environmental groups, including the Save Trestles Campaign. Read the full story at Surfline and check out the highlight reel below..

And be sure to send your letter to the Secretary of Commerce asking him to not overturn the Coastal Commission's denial of the Toll Road.

Florida Chapters Go Big in the 2008 Legislative Session

2008-05-02T10:07:00.000-07:00

When it rains, it pours! This 2008 Florida legislative session was a heavy one for the 10 chapter and 1 planning committee in Florida. This year it seemed the environment finally become a HOT TOPIC that everyone want to supportive of! The Florida chapter network was able achieve four out of the five proposed pieces of legislation they were either leading or supporting. These including the following efforts:

Clean Oceans Act - After a difficult 3 year campaign, the law will now require owners and operators of day-cruise gambling vessels to implement sewage and other wastewater pump-out systems at ports, or adopt closed-loop system technology. (Sponsor: Sen. Haridolopos/Rep. Mayfield)

South Florida Outfall Closures - The bill will prohibit construction of new ocean outfalls, expansion of ocean outfalls for specified purposes, and initiate specific requirements for domestic wastewater treatment & management for certain facilities & activities relating to ocean outfalls. The six South Florida outfalls, dumping over 300 million gallons of wastewater into the sea and squandering 100 billion gallons of freshwater every year, are now mandated to wastewater reuse by 2025. (Sponsors: Sen. Saunders/ Rep. Mayfield & Natural Resource Council)

Inlet Management - The bill redirects the state’s beach management efforts to truly address beach erosion caused by Florida’s inlets since about 80% of the problem starts here. It includes recommendations to mitigate the erosive impacts of the inlet, cost estimates necessary to take corrective measures, and recommendations regarding cost sharing among the beneficiaries of such inlet. (Sponsors: Sen. Jones / Rep. Mayfield)

Beach Water Quality Testing Funding - In a year of super heavy budget cuts across the board, efforts to minimize impacts to the water testing funding was only cut in half versus entirely, as proposed by the House. On a positive note, it has opened a new relationship with the Dept of Health and the opportunity to help with testing in areas that will be cut.

Beach Access Signage - Unfortunately this language was a little late out of the gate. The removal of illegal signage along the beachfront and the creation of a specific Part V within Chapter 161, just on beach access, will be pushed again next year. This should not be confused with the perpendicular definition language added last year.

The statewide member effort included attending Oceans Day, Action Alerts, making personal calls the sponsors or their local legislator, and holding media events.

Florida chapters would especially like to thank the bill sponsors and cosponsors, long time Clean Oceans supporter Rep. Tony Sasso, our hardworking-diehard Tallahassee Coordinator Doug Bell and TJ Marshall, FSU Professors Donna Christie & Robin Craig, and other coastal stakeholder groups that made this possible!

Caps are the new Butts!

2008-04-30T11:42:00.000-07:00

They recycle plastic bottle caps in Japan, why can’t we do it here? This is a question I’ve been asking myself and the world. An answer came from an unlikely place. The makers of Aveda hair care have announced they will accept used caps at their salons, and the caps will be melted down and made into new caps.

Caps are the new Butts! Plastic bottle caps are quickly eclipsing cigarette butts as the number one item found on the world’s beaches. In New Jersey, Surfrider Foundation volunteers Dave Storch, Derek Riddle, & Joe Mairo saved all the caps found on recent beach sweeps run by Clean Ocean Action. Clean Ocean Action volunteers saved all the caps from their Sandy Hook sweeps, (the mother load) and in total over 4000 caps were collected in just 3 hours. Aveda parent company Estee Lauder has arranged to pick up the caps and have them recycled with the ones collected by their salons.

Clean Ocean Action's Anna Will and 4000 + bottle caps collected in NJ in 3 hours.

Newport Beach's “Ocean-Friendly” Garden wins Best Theme Presentation

2008-04-28T13:15:00.000-07:00

SURFRIDER TAKES TOP AWARD AT GARDEN SHOW
Theme: Protecting Beauty with Beauty

The Newport Beach Chapter's “Ocean-Friendly” garden won Best Theme Presentation at the Spring Gardening Show at South Coast Plaza this past weekend. Created by Douglas Kent, a local landscape designer and member of the Newport Beach chapter of Surfrider, the garden had a beach theme carried through with surf boards, beach towels, and perched sea birds, and was created to show that a garden can be both ocean-friendly and great looking.

The garden was designed to eliminate runoff from the property, the major impact to water quality. It did this using native plants with low water requirements and landscape features such as a vegetated swale, dry creek bed and retention basin to contain water within the garden instead of letting it flow to the street and then to the ocean and bay.

Tree of Life Nursery, Roger’s Garden, Ganahl Lumber and Larry’s Building Supplies contributed to the garden which also won second place in the “competition” division.

For more information, contact: Doug Kent -newair@mindspring.com

Long Beach Chapter honored with Environmental Steward Award

2008-04-24T10:10:00.000-07:00

Surfrider Foundation's Long Beach Chapter was honored this week by Long Beach City's Vice Mayor, Bonnie Lowenthal, in being chosen as an Environmental Steward as part of the City's observance of Earth Day, April 2008. Bonnie Lowenthal also represents the 1st City Council District in Long Beach. Ed Hendricks and Gordana Kajer were invited to accept the award on behalf of the Long Beach Chapter, for their efforts to raise awareness of water quality issues on the City's beaches.

Photo: Bonnie Lowenthal (center), Ed Hendricks (L, white jacket), and Gordana Kajer (R, black pants) along with other residents who were honored for their work on water quality issues and water conservation.

Primera limpieza en la playa Santa Teresita, Argentina

2008-04-21T12:21:00.000-07:00

Check out the first beach cleanup of our newest Surfrider Chapter in Argentina, Partido de la Costa.

"DECIDIMOS HACER ESTE TRABAJO, EN LO PERSONAL Y GRUPAL JUNTO A LOS OTROS MIEMBROS DE NUESTRO CAPITULO, HEMOS QUEDADO SORPRENDIDO POR LO RECOGIDO EN SOLO 100 METROS DE PLAYA. HOY RECIBI LOS DETALLES DE LA BASURA DISCRIMINADO POR TIPO Y CANTIDAD Y LA VERDAD QUE COMO DECIMOS ACA, ESTAMOS EN EL HORNO, ESA INFORMACION HOY LA VOY A PROYECTAR A 100 KM DE PLAYA QUE ES LO QUE MIDE NUESTRO PARTIDO DE LA COSTA, Y POR SUPUESTO LOS RESULTADOS TAMBIEN TE LOS VOY A ENVIAR.
HAY MUCHO POR HACER, ESTE ES SOLO EL COMIENZO, EN ESTOS DIAS SALE EN LOS MEDIOS DE DIFUSION REGIONALES Y TAMBIEN LO ENVIAREMOS A LOS NACIONALES PARA VER SI ENTRA ALGUNO."

Submitted by Ariel Gustavo Fiocco.

El BANO TAKES A STAND WITH THE SUNCOAST CHAPTER

2008-04-16T06:00:00.000-07:00

Fifty Surfrider members, armed with signs, voices, and surfboards were ready to rally at the day-cruise gambling ship port to promote the “Pump Don’t Dump” Campaign to pass the Clean Oceans Act (SB 1094/HB 857). El Bano, an inflatable 20 feet tall toilet, was shipped in from Greenpeace Mexico for this event. Designed for elevating clean water issues, it stood its ground at Johns Pass, Madeira Beach, Florida, despite 15 knot winds trying to blow it down. Much of the planning was due to the chapter efforts of Carl, Jake, Julie, John, Michael. and Nicole.

The Clean Oceans Act, currently set to move to the Senate and House floor, focuses on the issue of day cruise gambling vessels leaving Florida ports and dumping the contents of their waste tanks out in open water off our coasts. Millions of gallons of sewage come from these ships annual across the state. The proposed solution is for ports to add in a either a “closed loop onboard system” or set up a port pumping system.

The slogan on the back lid reads playas limpias ahora - Cleaner Beaches Now. Exactly fitting to Surfrider’s Clean Oceans Act mission.

Check out the complete slideshow.

Success @ the Florida 3rd Annual Black Tie & Baggie

2008-04-16T04:46:00.000-07:00

First Coast Surfrider held their 3rd Annual Black Tie & Baggies fundraiser on April 12th at The Atlantic Bar & Club in Jacksonville Beach, FL. Sponsored by Paco's Mexican Grill, the night featured a silent auction, raffle, book signing, live music from Sky Pilot and a fashion show with women's clothing from local boutiques, Rosie True and Jaffi's. Additional event sponsors included The Surf Sanctuary in Nicaragua, Sunrise Surf Shop, Damon Williams, MySurfari.com, SYK Surf Shop, World Gym, Lee's Ice Cream, Ragtime, Gene's Seafood, Arbonne, Bully's, Bali Cargo Co., Half Moon Bay Trading Co., Where Ya Bean and Fig Tree Clothing.

The event raised more than $5,000 for the chapter and had approximately 200 attendees, figures that more than tripled the previous year's results! Funds raised will close the outstanding legal bill from First Coast Surfrider's groundbreaking win over St Johns County for beach access. There will also be money left over to support chapter campaigns including: a storm water outfall water testing program, sand dune ordinance, beach erosion in St Johns County and educational outreach opportunities.

Thanks to George Arco and Danny Barley for photography. They did a terrific job documenting the fun!

Check out the complete part slideshow.

CAPE FEAR CHAPTER $33 CAMPAIGN FOR ACCESS 33

2008-04-03T07:41:00.000-07:00

Wrightsville Beach Access 33 has been permanently saved!

The Town of Wrightsville Beach, Murchison/Gornto family, and the Cape Fear Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation worked out an agreement that provides a permanent easement at the one of the Town's main beach access locations. Residents and visitors have used this access for over 40 years.

As part of the agreement, the Cape Fear Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation committed to contributing $15,000 to the purchase of the access. In order to accomplish this the chapter is asking for $33 for 33 to help chip away at the large financial commitment toward maintaining this public beach access. Contributions can be sent directly via paypal.
(just type in capefearchapter@surfrider.org to email box)

For more information and media links check out http://www.access33.org/

Surfrider Releases Report on Pulp Mill Permit

2008-04-02T18:09:00.000-07:00

Newport, Oregon - The Surfrider Foundation today submitted a report to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) with formal recommendations for strengthening the wastewater permit of the Georgia Pacific Pulp and Paper Mill in Toledo. The report is intended to support DEQs ongoing reconsideration of the Georgia Pacific permit, and bring the agency closer to compliance with state and federal laws that protect water quality. Some of the reports recommendations focus on the need for enhanced monitoring of marine species and the nearshore environment near the mills ocean outfall. Other recommendations provide guidance and data resources for improving scientific analyses used to evaluate potential ecological and public health impacts. The primary outfall of the mill is located 3,800 feet off Nye Beach and the facility releases an average of 11 million gallons a day of treated wastewater in the vicinity of important recreational areas and fishing grounds (see photo with plume). Back in September 2006, Surfrider and four other organizations formally petitioned DEQ to reconsider the terms of the NPDES wastewater permit of the Georgia Pacific mill. DEQ accepted the Petition on October 18th, 2006 and has been working to complete the reconsideration since then. Sufriders Environmental Issues Team has recently met with DEQ staff on this issue and is committed to providing constructive input to support the reconsideration process. Thanks to all who've helped pull this together - Kristen, Liz, Charlie, Melinda, Pete, Roger, Joe, JD, Mark, Greg, and many others! You rock!! To read the full report, please click here:
Surfrider_ScienceBasedRecommendations_GP_Mill_NPDES_Final.doc

Clean Water Classic: May 16-18 - Register Today!

2008-03-26T21:36:00.000-07:00

Registration is now open for the 2008 Clean Water Classic to be held in Westport, WA on May 16-18! The Clean Water Classic is Surfrider's annual surfing contest that raises crucial funds for our chapters in Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. Weekend will feature great surfing, ocean education, silent auction, live music, raffle, and collection of some of the coolest folks in the Pacific Northwest. Openings remain in all divisions including Pro-Am, Mens, Womens, Masters, Juniors, Keiki, and Stand-Up Paddle. Every surfer that enters receives free Surfrider membership! We are doing online registration this year, so please sign up at event website: http://www.cleanwaterclassic.com/. Also, volunteers are desperately needed to help us staff event. Please contact your chapter's volunteer coordinator to sign up! Thanks to Global Surf Industries, the Islander Hotel and the rest of our sponsors. See ya there! (photo: Pro-Am winners from 2006: Peter Devries (R) and 2007: Noah Cohen (L)

France's Environment Minister Participates in Surfrider Foundation Global Beach Clean Up

2008-03-25T17:10:00.000-07:00

Plages: nettoyage de printemps

The first news stories are coming in from Surfrider Foundation Europe regarding this weekend's global Oceans Initiatives. Check out the French TV news story regarding the participation of the French Environment Minister (Jean Louis Borloo), the Domestic Affairs Minister Michèle Alliot Marie and world famous soccerplayer/surfer/ Surfrider Foundation sponsor Bixente Lizarazuas as they cleaned up a beach in Biarritz, France.

Over 323 clean-ups have taken place already over the weekend (20 more will take place later this month and in April) in 14 countries.

Submitted by Audrey Gaston, Surfrider Foundation Europe

Surfrider Tamarindo hosts Endless Summer Event

2008-03-25T16:50:00.000-07:00

The Tamarindo Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation held a charity
fund-raiser last night at the spectacular new venue Bar One in Playa
Tamarindo...and it was a huge success. Over 200 guest were in
attendance to watch the original Endless Summer with Robert August
providing live commentary, stories and laughs. The place was at
capacity with kids, adults, families having fun and coming together as a
community for a great cause. Thanks to Pasa Tiempo Hotel and Restaurant
for donating over 30 delicious pizzas. The event raised over $3000 and
will be put to good use in the Tamarindo area to help keep our beaches
and waters clean and safe. Big thanks to Robert, Sarah and the entire
Endless Fun team for helping us make this event an evening to remember.
Pura Vida!!

Submitted by Brian Bratton, Co-Chair Surfrider Foundation Tamarindo Chapter Org. Cmte.

Photography by:
Sean Davis Photography
Playa Tamarindo, Costa Rica
506.816.0168
seandavisphotographic.com

SURFRIDER INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE IN BRAZIL THIS OCTOBER

2008-03-24T17:53:00.001-07:00

Dear Surfrider Foundation Chapters, Affiliates and Volunteers:

SAVE THE DATE!!! The Surfrider Foundation International Conference* will be held October 23-26, 2008 in Rio de Janeiro and Buzios, Brasil. Hosted by Surfrider Foundation Brasil, the tentative schedule is as follows:

Wednesday, October 22 – Arrival and check in
Thursday, October 23 – Field trip of Surfrider Foundation Brasil projects, Rio de Janeiro
Friday, October 24 – International Water Quality Seminar, Rio de Janeiro
Saturday, October 25 – Surfrider Conference, Buzios
Sunday, October 26 – Surfrider Conference, Buzios
Monday, October 27 –Beginning of International Program Meetings (International Chapters and Affiliates only)
* Departure of Guests or stay and enjoy Brasil!
Tuesday, October 28 – International Program Meetings (cont.)
Wednesday, October 29 – International Chapter and Affiliates Departure

The International Conference will provide the following opportunities for Surfrider Foundation Chapters, Affiliates and Volunteers:
• Meet face-to-face with global colleagues
• Hear about projects and campaigns
• Learn directly from other Chapters and Affiliates about best practices
• Apply a global pool of knowledge to your own programs and campaigns
• Understand the different issues being addressed by the Surfrider Foundation network
• Strengthen Surfrider Foundation’s global network through the development of direct relationships
• Help grow Surfrider Foundation into a truly global organization

Later this year we will send out a call for submissions for presentations from Surfrider Foundation Chapters and Affiliates to share with their colleagues during the Conference. Start thinking now about sharing your Chapter’s successes with others in the global Surfrider Foundation network.
We are hoping to make arrangements to help defray the costs of attending this important event, however, Chapters wishing to send representatives should be prepared to pay the full costs for travel and lodging if it becomes necessary. Raising these funds to send representatives from your Chapter to the International Conference could be a goal for your Chapter to tackle this summer. If your Chapter is considering sending representatives to the International Conference, please evaluate the benefits of attending and what impacts it might have on your Chapter financially.
As a reminder, in 2008, Surfrider Foundation will still be conducting Chapter Conferences in the Pacific Northwest, California, Florida and the East Coast so budget accordingly.

International Conference details are still being finalized, but we wanted to get the word out so you can consider this opportunity and save the date! Please let us know if you are interested in receiving more information by replying to Lia@surfrider.org or emailing Vickie McMurchie at vmcmurchie@surfrider.org.

Aloha,

Lia Colabello
Global Relations Director
Surfrider Foundation

*The International Conference is a yearly event that has historically only included Surfrider Foundation Affiliate Leaders. This year we are opening up the event to include Chapters from around the world and hope you will be able to join us.

If you can’t make it this year, we will be gathering again in 2009 to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Surfrider Foundation. A Global Summit is being planned; date and location still to be determined.

Surfing por una justa causa

2008-03-17T11:37:00.000-07:00

Durante el verano de 2008 niños de bajos recursos de una de las zonas más afectadas y castigadas por la pobreza y la exclusión en Mar del Plata, tuvieron la posibilidad de acercarse al surfing gracias a “LA ESCUELA DE LA NUEVA OLA”. El proyecto estuvo desarrollado por CEAS junto con la Escuela Mar del Plata Day School, Quiksilver y Surfrider Foundation.

El emprendimiento estuvo destinado a la formación de surfistas y enseñanza de contenidos medioambientales a niños y jóvenes con pocas oportunidades sociales. Los destinatarios del proyecto fueron 25 niños y niñas de entre 8 y 13 años del Barrio las Dalias, donde el Grupo de Hábitat de la Universidad de Mar del Plata, el Grupo Sur y el CEAS, realizaron tareas de mejoramiento de viviendas, nivelación educativa, promoción de salud, animación social y recreativa y provisión de alimentos a comedores.

La práctica deportiva de surf estuvo a cargo de profesores especializados con la supervisión de reconocidos profesionales, y se generaron actividades que conllevaron a la prevención del uso de drogas y formación de conciencia como cuidadores del medio ambiente, en especial de las playas de la ciudad y por sobre todo, se les dio la oportunidad de pasar un verano inolvidable.

La actividad de los niños se realizó todos los días de verano desde las 9:00 hasta las 14:00 y comprendió el traslado de los chicos desde su casa hasta la playa Sun Rider (zona Camet), donde participaron de las actividades de aprendizaje de surf, con el posterior baño y almuerzo en el CEAS para luego retornar a sus casas.

Una vez por semana y cuando las condiciones del clima impidieron la práctica de surf, se desarrolló una actividad didáctica llamada playalogía, que constó de 4 módulos de formación ecológica relacionada con el conocimiento y el cuidado de las playas. El mismo fue desarrollado por la Fundación Surfrider de EE.UU. y se utilizó en más de 500 escuelas de surf a lo largo y a lo ancho del planeta.

En el largo plazo el objetivo es formar escuelas de surf y playalogía en los diferentes sectores de la ciudad.
En nuestro próximo Quik News te presentaremos a uno de los chicos de la “ESCUELA DE LA NUEVA OLA” que tiene un gran futuro por delante como surfista.

El surfing conoce de causas justas, y Quiksilver Argentina apoya estas iniciativas que apuntan a una infancia mejor para aquellos niños que no tienen tantas oportunidades.

Fuente: Quik News
En Olas Magazine
Submitted by Surfrider Foundation Argentina

PALM BEACH COUNTY CHAPTER FILES SUIT TO SAVE WAVE

2008-03-17T07:41:00.000-07:00

On March 13, 2008, the Surfrider Foundation, the Snook Foundation and three individuals filed a Petition for Formal Administrative Hearing against the issuance of the FL DEP permit authorizing a 1.3 mile beach dredge and fill. The intent of the Surfrider challenge is to block the project which threatens to destroy valuable and irreplaceable near-shore ecosystem that provide unique recreational and economic resources. This habitat is essential to the survival of threatened and endangered species of sea turtles and coral and provides essential habitat as a fisheries nursery.
In spite of the FL DEP stable beach determination, the Town of Palm Beach is trying to move forward and bury 7 acres of hardbottom/coral habitat. In exchange the Town has agreed to build 8 acres of “mitigation reef” to compensate for the burial, at a cost of approximately 8 million dollars.

The Lake Worth City Council had voted unanimously the year before not to participate in this unnecessary and environmentally destructive project. While the Lake Worth public beach is excluded from the project area, the amount of fill proprosed would still kill the public's ability to surf, dive and fish.

Recent news media:

Project Delay

Fighting Beach-widening

Protest by Surfrider Foundation

Reef Challenge

Additional Media Clip

SURFRIDER'S GLOBAL OCEANS INITIATIVES IS NEXT WEEK!

2008-03-14T18:15:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately the beach doesn't clean itself.

OCEANS INITIATIVES CLEANUPS TO BE HELD MARCH 22
South Orange and San Diego County Chapters join forces with Surfrider Foundation's global network to increase public awareness about ocean pollution.

For the 13th year in a row, volunteers will be gathering at beaches throughout North America, South America, Europe, Australia, Japan and North Africa during the weekend of March 21-23, 2008 to demonstrate their appreciation and respect for the ocean by cleaning up their local beaches. Last year over 10,000 people showed up to clean 218 different locations. This year over 290 sites have been registered already.

The Surfrider Foundation South Orange County Chapter will hold their beach clean up on March 22, starting at 9am at Doheny Beach. The Surfrider Foundation San Diego Chapter will hold theirs on the same date and time at Coronado Beach (at the end of Isabella Avenue). Check out the Oceans Initiatives website for a complete list of global locations.

"Our members and supporters are passionate about their beaches," said Rick Erkeneff, Chair of Surfrider Foundation South Orange County Chapter. "By joining other Surfrider members around the world in cleaning up our beaches, we are sending a clear message about the need to protect and preserve our coast and ocean."

About the Oceans Initiatives
Created and managed by Surfrider Foundation Europe, the Oceans Initiatives is an opportunity for activists and volunteers to organize locally to help make a global impact. For additional information, please visit: www.initiativesoceanes.org.

About the Surfrider Foundation
The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of our world’s oceans, waves and beaches. Founded in 1984 by a handful of visionary surfers in Malibu, California, the Surfrider Foundation now maintains over 50,000 members and 80 chapters worldwide. For more information on the Surfrider Foundation go to www.surfrider.org.

Message in a Bottle

2008-03-06T18:13:00.000-08:00

New York State's bottle deposit law has only covered beer and soda bottles for the last 25 years. Bottles of water, juices, teas, etc. are not worth 5 cents upon their return so they are the majority of bottles that litter.

The NYC Chapter collected bags and bags of non-deposit bottles on NY beaches in one short afternoon. They brought these non-deposit bottles; mostly plastic, to the state capitol in Albany for a press event with the Central Long Island Chapter, the Eastern Long Island Chapter, the New Rochelle High School Environmental Club, and the American Littoral Society, State Senators, Assembly Members, and a representative from the Governor's office.

They presented their "Message in A Bottle" to pass the Bigger Better Bottle Bill in a fantastic press event. Photos here News articles here and here.

Special thanks to Chris Wade the driving force behind this, to Laura Haight of NY PIRG for help with logistics and press, Adam Wiener for driving people and bottles to Albany, AJ Abrams, and P. Claire Pertalion too.

Super cool 3 minute You Tube Video by J Scott Klossner as well.

Take Action if you live in NY.

Wave-Riding Tragedy: For Many of Us, the Best Wave Days Have the Worst Water Pollution

2008-02-29T09:04:00.000-08:00

It's a tragic fact that all-too-frequently the BEST, MOST ATTRACTIVE SURF is accompanied by HIGHLY POLLUTED COASTAL WATERS. How can that be?

Well, the same windy, over-the-ocean storms that generate the waves often reach our shores and dump substaintial rain in the coastal watershed, and that rain picks up not only polluted runoff from the surface of our land, but can also mix with sewage coming from spills and leaks in our inadequately maintained sewage system before flowing into our near shore waters. Who or what's to blame? For the most dangerous type of water pollution -- sewage -- we can blame our local, state, and federal governments for not investing enough money in sewage infrastructure. For polluted runoff, we can blame many, from developers to property owners to government on every level that approve development that paves over large portions of our coastal watersheds and for the most part refuse to take polluted runoff into proper consideration when designing systems for dealing with rainfall once it hits the ground.

Oh, and who's to blame for the 2 young bodyboarders (in the photo above) who are unknowingly risking their own health while enjoying the good waves 18 hours after recent rain storms? Perhaps we can put a little blame on the well-meaning, local county government that nevertheless refuses to post water pollution warning signs on the beach when the water pollution is worst after rain storms. The same county government will, strangely enough, post warning signs during lesser pollution events during dry weather, creating the public impression that the lack of beach warning signs on a beach means safe ocean water quality, even after a significant rainfall. Which begs the question: if the county doesn't post beach warning signs after rainfall, but does post signs for lesser pollution events, would it be better never to post any warning signs at all?

Posted by Mark Babski, down the street from Surfrider Foundation headquarters in San Clemente, CA.

Trestles Toll Road REJECTED by CA Coastal Commission

2008-02-07T23:19:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was a great day for the coast!! The California Coastal Commission voted 8-2 to reject the planned 241 Toll Road and to protect Trestles and San Onofre State Beach. Thousands turned out for this historic meeting in Del Mar, making it clear to the commissioners that the destruction of state parks and coastal resources is unacceptable.

The record-breaking crowd was comprised of a diverse cross-section of beach users including surfers, students, families, seniors, fishermen as well as a large number of Native American tribal representatives. Also on hand was a massive contingent from the surf industry, including various manufacturers, shapers, media representatives and pro athletes.

Photo: Branimir Kvartuk

“Our supporters have logged countless volunteer hours on this campaign over the last several years,” said Moriarty. “Last night’s decision was an incredible affirmation for their efforts, and a testament to the power of grassroots activism.”

Many of you sent letters to the Commission and to the Governor asking that this road be blocked. Many of you told the Commission on YouTube to protect our state park and beach. And many of you showed up to the meeting prepared to demonstrate to the commission and the world that our parks and coasts are not to be destroyed.

Of course Surfrider Foundation didn't do this alone. We want to thank our partners with the Sierra Club, CA State Parks Foundation, Natural Resources Defense Council, Endangered Habitats League, Sea and Sage Audubon Society, Defenders of Wildlife, WildCoast and countless others.

While this decision is likely not the death knell for the toll road we would like, there will be a major uphill battle for them to overcome. We will be there at every step to trip them up and we will need your continuing support. If you haven't, please consider joining Surfrider Foundation and getting involved in your local chapter.

Thank you for protecting the coast.

Suncoast Chapter Creates "Pete" to Stop Stadium Expansion

2008-02-06T06:20:00.000-08:00

The Suncoast Chapter has joined the ranks of a number of community activists, non-profit and environmental organizations, and concerned citiziens opposed to the dredging and filling of the Tampa Bay. The coalition of organizations is called POWW (Preserve Our Wallets and Our Waterfront) . They are rallying to oppose the proposed site, as well as the proposal itself, of the new Tampa Bay Ray’s Stadium for the reasons of tax subsidy, dredging and filling in Tampa Bay, and the overall environmental and city infrastructure impacts. To create enough room for the stadium, the Rays say they need to dredge and fill about six-tenths of an acre of Tampa Bay.

Its about two big Es - Environment and Economics. PETE is the symbol that the chapter has chosen to represent THEIR voice in opposition. Chapter Activists Julie Pappas and Chris Shield are actually making the 6-foot PETE out of wire and duck tape. A warm-water spring that attracts manatees is near the proposed dredge-and-fill area, so Pappas says Pete is a perfect symbol for their cause.

TampaBay Channel 10 Interview

News Article Link

More information on POWW

Fox Channel Breaking News

Largest Florida Beach Access Protest in History

2008-02-04T07:29:00.000-08:00

It has been more than 18 months since private developers and government officials illegally closed the Haulover Inlet/Bal Harbour public beach a ccess, one of the nicest beaches in Dade County, shutting out tourists, surfers, fishermen and others who prize this unique area.

Since the Surfrider Foundation uncovered these shady dealings in June 2006, Bal Harbour Village has consistently refused to return beach access and parking to the general public. (An “alternate” access point – offered only recently and grudgingly by the Village – has no parking and requires fishermen & surfers to carry equipment through a dangerous mconstruction site to reach the beach.)

This past saturday, in the largest protest in Florida history, 200 Surfrider Foundation South Florida Chapter members and beachgoers lined up on both side of the Haulover Bridge and demanded that Bal Harbour surrender their ill-gotten gains to FDOT and be denied oversight authority of the area.

Of course MONSTER props to new Chapter Chairman Shane Close who spearheaded this whole effort, less than a month into his new duties! Shane’s “Local’s Wanted” ad campaign was a rallying point to make this Ground Hog Day protest a smashing success.

Chapter Protest Video by Rob Lyon

Protest Photos by Lou, Oscar & Shrimpcreole

Check out the Chapter Site with all the relevent press info

Miami Herald Article

Channel 7 News Article

Channel 7 Video of Bal Harbour Protest