The New Hampshire beach monitoring program has been extended beyond the typical summer season. This important victory can be attributed to the energy and motivation of the newly formed New Hampshire Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation.

One of the first issues they tackled after forming was the lack of water quality information available to the public year-round. The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) had been monitoring public beaches for over 20 years during what they considered to be the swimming season, from Memorial Day to Labor Day. With some exception, water quality monitoring at beaches is typically limited to the summer in states along the northern and mid-Atlantic. The New Hampshire Chapter, however, has been successful in prompting their state government to do more.

The Chapter initially approached the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services with their concerns that people who swim or surf in the ocean are not provided with important information about the quality of the water throughout the year. In response, the manager of the state’s beach program was able to secure funding from an EPA grant to pay for extending the sampling program three months into the spring and three months into the fall. Surfrider volunteers are providing the work force for this program. Surfrider volunteers collect water samples weekly from 8 sampling sites at two of New Hampshire’s most popular surfing areas. Samples are delivered back to the NHDES for analysis. The NHDES also provided training to the volunteers on sampling protocol.

The first water samples were collected by the Surfrider volunteers on April 1, 2007. Now that the ‘swimming season’ has arrived, the state will resume their full monitoring effort while the chapter gears up for the fall. All swimming advisories are posted on the NHDES Home Page

May 25, 2007— The Aquarium of The Pacific in Long Beach, Calif. opened its Catch a Wave Exhibit today. The exhibit will run until March 31, 2008 and will enable the public to experience the history of surfing, the science of waves, surf culture, and visit animals that live in the surf zone all while simultaneously learning how to help the ocean.

Surfrider Foundation’s Marketing and Communications Director, Matt McClain, was on hand at the special media sneak preview on May 24th to give a speech on ocean health and help usher in this fantastic new exhibit.


Founded in June 1998, the Aquarium of the Pacific is Southern California’s largest aquarium and the fifth largest in the nation. With nearly 1.4 million annual visitors, including 200,000 school children, the Aquarium of the Pacific is also the third largest cultural attraction in the Los Angeles area.

In addition to its public programs and exhibits, the Aquarium is involved in numerous conservation efforts, including sustainable seafood, watershed education, ocean literacy, and more. Its team of scientific divers collects critical data used by a variety of ocean research institutes and reporting agencies. And through its Aquatic Forums, the Aquarium brings together scientists, educators, community leaders, and policy makers to develop solutions to complex environmental issues.

Exhibits
The Catch a Wave exhibit has numerous ways to learn more about surfing and our oceans’ health.




The Waves Gallery gives visitors a chance to learn all about waves, watch them in action, and discover the science behind them.




Faces of a Tsunami explores the science behind tsunamis and their impacts on people. The exhibit showcases striking personal accounts of the 1960 Valdivia tsunami in Chile and will explore the causes and effects of tsunamis.

Southern California Waves explores what makes Southern California beaches and waves so great. Visitors can learn where our waves come from, how they form, and the science behind how they bring good surf to our shores.





Great Hall Surf Experience provides a dramatic and unique movie-going experience by projecting a film that showcases surfers around the world across eight screens. There are even world-class surfers featured that have no need for a board. Sea lions, dolphins and sea turtles also enjoy catching waves and this film has great footage of them surfing.

The Catch a Wave Film will open in the new Honda Theater on June 15th and will explore where our best summer surfing waves come from, how they are created, how far they travel, what makes them good surfing waves, and how their energy is dissipated?





Surf Zone Animals
While riding waves may be fun for people, actually living in the surf zone is a tough job. Visitors can visit theses creatures and learn how animals have adapted unique ways to survive in the crashing waves.

Surf Culture Exhibits
Through a six-panel graphic display in the Great Hall, visitors can learn about the history of surfing from around the world. A visual timeline will take guests from the birth of surfing to the phenomenon it is today.




The Northern Gallery has an exhibit that showcases the evolution of surfboards with actual historic and modern boards, allowing visitors to see everything from early long boards to today’s high-tech designs.

In the Great Hall and in the Tropical Gallery, guests can learn about surfing in the Pacific Islands and discover its connections to hula and early Hawaiian culture.




Shark “Surf” Lagoon
The Shark Lagoon has been decked out as a surf shack, complete with sand, boards and a daily surf report. The Aquarium’s Bamboo Bistro will also feature surf burgers and shaved ice.


Marine Life Theater Program
The Marine Life Theater explores the different kinds of waves that exist in our world. Through exploratory learning, the science of waves is demonstrated with different activities and presentations for all ages.




Surfing Hula
Daily hula demonstrations give guests the chance to experience the Aloha spirit from the birthplace of modern surfing, Hawaii. Dancers will perform both traditional and modern dances and visitors will even have the chance to learn a little hula themselves.

Surf Music
Every Saturday and Sunday from Memorial Day through Labor Day, the Aquarium will feature live surf music from noon to 4:00 p.m. in front of the Aquarium.

Sandcastle Fun
From Memorial Day to Labor Day, visitors can hit the sand and make their own sandcastle in front of the Aquarium. Guests can also compete in the weekend sand castle contests.

For more information on the special events taking place in conjunction with the Catch a Wave exhibit, including surf culture films, guest speakers, cool surf bands and more Click Here

You may not know it, but this week is Recreational Water Illness Prevention Week.

The Centers for Disease Control have issued a press release that begins:

The third annual National Recreational Water Illness Prevention Week is scheduled for May 21--27, 2007, at the onset of swimming season, to raise awareness regarding the potential for spread of infectious diseases at swimming venues and the need to improve prevention measures. An estimated 8.1 million swimming pools are available for private or public use in the United States. Each year, U.S. residents make an estimated 360 million visits to recreational water venues (e.g., swimming pools, spas, lakes, and oceans), making swimming the second most common physical activity (after walking) in the country and the most common among children.

That's fine, but for many of us, there is no "swimming season" or "surfing season." How about paying attention to Recreational Water Illness Prevention all year long? Oh, and by the way, it would be nice is swimming and surfing in the ocean (as opposed to pools and lakes) wasn't an after-thought.

California Coast & Ocean provides a very thorough article on Trestles, San Onofre and the threats from the toll road.



Driving north from San Diego along the coast on Interstate 5, a traveler passes mile after mile of houses, malls, businesses, and roadways. Every now and then you glimpse the ocean off in the distance or see a grassy hillside, but otherwise you are confined to a virtual corridor of development.

Then suddenly, just north of Oceanside, the landscape opens up. To the west is the ocean, while to the east flatlands and rolling hills covered with coastal sage scrub extend as far as the eye can see, with only here and there a building or a road. Along this stretch of highway you might actually spot a hawk circling overhead, hunting for its meal among the abundant little critters in the underbrush, or perched atop a telephone pole. This is coastal southern California as it used to look before sprawl took over, and it's still here because you're in Camp Pendleton. Like many military reservations in California, this 125,000-acre Marine Corps base, owned by the Department of the Navy, contains some of the last wild land in its region; this area would likely have been developed years ago if not for the base. San Mateo Creek, one of the last coastal streams in southern California that has no dams or other man-made barriers, flows from its headwaters in the Cleveland National Forest through Camp Pendleton to meet the ocean. Southern steelhead were thought to be extinct south of Malibu Creek until they were found in San Mateo Creek in 1999.

Lots more at the site...

Dr. Rick Wilson, the illustrious editor of the State of the Beach tome turned 60 this past week. We cut the cake down at Four Doors, San O. Next time you see Doc Wilson, pat him on the back.

If you surf in Oregon, please participate in a short survey on surfer health (link below). Dr. Anna Harding and Dr. Cathy Neumann of Oregon State University are conducting this research with support from Surfrider and funding from Oregon Sea Grant. The results will provide valuable information on surfer behaviors, perception of risks, and exposure characteristics. Active participation from the Oregon surfing community is really important as the study enrollment goal is 500 so please take a few minutes to participate. You'll definitely find it very interesting. Thanks! http://www.stat.oregonstate.edu/surfersurvey/

Comprehensive Beach Preservation Bill Passes Florida Legislature

Tallahassee, Fla.(May 8, 2007) –Surfrider Foundation’s ten Florida chapters saw success in the final days of the 2007 Florida Legislative Session, when sweeping beach management legislation benefiting beachgoers and coastal wildlife was passed unanimously by both the Florida House (HB7175) and Senate (SB1472). The legislation now awaits almost certain signature by newly elected Governor Crist.

After months of tireless effort, coastal groups are celebrating the passage of a bill that preserves the public’s right to access the beach and protects beach users and sea turtles from harm caused by an experimental form of coastal armoring. Florida now joins the ranks of Texas and Oregon with adequate beach access protection policy.

“We are delighted to finally see the full protection of beach access,” said Ericka D’Avanzo, Florida Regional Manager of the Surfrider Foundation. “Now recreational beach users can be assured that as growth continues along our coastline, we should not see any future loss of access points.” This was accomplished through a clarification of Florida Statue Chapter 161, which will ensure perpendicular beach access is equally important as lateral access.

Gary Appelson, Policy Coordinator for the Gainesville-based Caribbean Conservation Corporation and co-supporter, said, “It was exciting to see so many organizations working to protect Florida’s beaches. It was also heartening to see legislators standing up unanimously for the protection of sea turtles, as well as Florida’s beach and dune system.” The additional permitting requirements for geotextile tubes provide a more cautious blueprint for their selective use.

This bill was championed by Senators Dennis Jones and Burt Saunders and Representative Stan Mayfield. Other key and supportive entities included the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Department of Environmental Protection and other environmental groups, such as the Florida Ocean and Coastal Coalition.

All supporting organizations and agencies look forward to Governor Crist’s signature on this bill.

To translate this post click here

Demain, vendredi 11 mai, le salon Respire ouvrira officiellement les Journées Nature de Midi-Pyrénées, organisées par le Conseil régional, qui se dérouleront dans toute la région du 11 au 22 mai 2007. Surfrider Foundation est le partenaire majeur de l'évènement : sensibilisation et éco-conception du salon. Respire est le premier salon français dédié entièrement aux sports et activités de plein air, ainsi qu'à la nature. Ce salon répond à la prise de conscience éco-citoyenne des français et à leur demande croissante en matière d'accessibilité et de connaissance des activités de plein air. Le salon RESPIRE, est l'un des premiers salons à adopter, lui aussi, une démarche éco-citoyenne : respect et prise en compte de l'environnement dans la conception du salon. RESPIRE S'ENGAGE DANS UNE DEMARCHE ECO-CITOYENNE AVEC SURFRIDER FOUNDATION "Des Montagnes à l’Océan, périple d’une goutte d’eau" A l’occasion du Salon Respire, Surfrider Foundation va diffuser à l’ensemble des écoles, collèges et lycées de la Haute-Garonne, ce film pédagogique sur le cycle de l’eau. Il nous invite à suivre le périple d’une goutte d’eau pour mieux comprendre notre part de responsabilité dans la pollution de l’eau et de l’océan. Des sportifs professionnels nous font partager leur amour de l’océan et nous transmettent 10 gestes pour agir positivement sur l’environnement. "Vagues et Littoral ", l'expo Surfrider Foundation L’exposition multimédia sur le surf, la protection de l’océan et du littoral présente au cœur du salon Respire. Cette exposition interactive de 200m² accueille groupes et grand public. Grâce à de nombreux supports multimédias et interactifs, « Vague et Littoral » présente les différentes facettes de la vie littorale et de son environnement, et propose une réflexion approfondie sur notre comportement et son impact sur notre environnement. 1€ en faveur de la protection de l’environnement. Pour chaque entrée payante (5€), Respire reverse 1€ à des associations engagées en faveur de la protection de l'environnement Eco-Conception du Salon Dès aujourd'hui, préparez vous à prendre une bouffée de nature, en rollers, en VTT, en canoë, en parapente... Tous les moyens sont bons pour se rendre au Salon RESPIRE, "LE" Salon Sports Nature, au Parc des Expos de Toulouse du 11 au 13 mai 2007. www.salon-respire.com www.surfridertoulouse.tk

To translate this article click here.

Surfrider Foundation se mobilise avec les habitants de Saint Jouin Bruneval et des communes alentours. Nous refusons en masse la mise en place d'un port méthanier sur la commune de Saint Jouin avec ses risques écologiques et technologiques inhérents et la possible fermeture de la plage. La création de ce port méthanier aurait un impact environnementale tragique en vue de la fermeture de la plage, la création d'une zone industrielle lourde et un refroidissement de l'eau de baignade à 6°C ! Sans oublier les impacts écologiques à savoir l'émission de gaz à effet de serre, des gaz polluants, etc. La fermeture de la valleuse d'Antifer, classée site protégé depuis six mois, est toujours d'actualité. Une pétition contre cette fermeture est en ligne.

To translate this article click here.

Présentation du plan stratégique 2007-2011

L'Assemblée Générale de Surfrider Foundation Europe s'est tenue le samedi 28 avril 2007 à la CCI de Bayonne. Une centaine de personnes ont fait le déplacement parmi lesquels les représentants d'une quinzaine d'antennes et relais locaux (notamment l'Allemagne, la Réunion et le Portugal) qui ont pris la parole pour dresser un bilan sur leurs actions de sensibilisation, d'éducation et de communication auprès de leurs adhérents et de la population locale.

Pendant ce rassemblement convivial, la direction a présenté un plan d'action exhaustif pour le développement de l'association. Dans ce projet, Surfrider Foundation Europe propose une vision de l'avenir et un développement raisonnée sur cinq ans autour de quatres thèmes : la sauvegarde du littoral en poursuivant le travail sur la qualité de l'eau et la propreté des plages, l'évolution des comportements en jouant sur une sensibilisation insistant sur la nécessité de protéger l'océan et le littoral, donner les moyens aux bénévoles de s'engager efficacement et d'agir localement. En dernier lieu, il s'agit de montrer que les ressources et le management de l'association sont compatibles avec les projets auxquels s'associent nos partenaires.

http://www.surfrider.fr/test/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=79

The Town Board of East Hampton, NY recently voted to approve new legislation to protect the Town's beaches and coastal resources. While creating a Coastal Erosion Hazard Overlay District, this new legislation has had the support of the Eastern Long Island Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation because it prohibits any new hard erosion control structures from being built on the Town's ocean beaches.

Local press coverage of the new coastal legislation can be viewed by following the following link to the ELI Chapter's website.

ELI Chapter Surfrider Website

From April 13th to the 22nd, the world descended upon the small resort town of Whistler for the Annual Telus World Ski and Snowboard Festival. The event is an action packed ten days of outdoor concerts, art exhibits, fashion shows, and of course parties. All mixed in with the world’s best skiers and snowboarders competing for cash and prizes.


This year Surfrider Vancouver was there to welcome the world and raise concern for local environmental issues. In partnership with O’Neill Canada, Surfrider Vancouver created the Surfs Up art exhibit. Nine unique artists from across the country were given blank surfboards and creative freedom to express their views of the state of our ocean environment. The boards were put on display in a unique educational installment, as part of the festival, and were later auctioned off with the proceeds benefiting the local Surfrider chapter.

“This was a great success and we were glad to be a part of it” said Max Desjardins, Director of Marketing for O’Neill Canada. “As a heritage surf brand driven by culture, we have a responsibility to take a leading role and help define the sustainability movement in Canada”

The event truly was a huge success, with over eighteen thousand people visiting this unique exhibit over the course of the festival. Keep your eyes out for media coverage of the event, as you should see the boards popping up in places such as MTV, CTV, Shaw cable, as well as countless magazine and newspapers. Also look for a spread coming out in the next issue of SBC surf magazine. The boards were so warmly received that they will now be making stops in Toronto and Montreal before the online auction closes. All Surf Canvases can be viewed online at www.surfridervancouver.org.

- Adrian Nelson, Chair of the Surfrider Foundation Vancouver Chapter Organizing Committee

VICE PRESIDENT OF ARGENTINA ATTENDS A SURFRIDER FOUNDATION SEMINAR DISCUSSING WAYS TO PROTECT THE COASTS AND PRESERVE BEACHES - A NEW PARADIGM FOR THE BONAERENSE COAST!

On April 25 and 26 over 400 people attended Surfrider Foundation Argentina Affiliate Organizing Committee's seminar about coastal resource management at the 5-Star Hotel Hermitage in Mar del Plata. Opening remarks were made by Daniel Scioli, the Vice President of Argentina, who is running for the governorship of the province of Buenos Aires.

Three different panels consisting of distinguished scientists, government officials, policy makers, university professors and coastal experts discussed the importance of tourism and that economic impact, integrated coastal planning and new sciences that are being used around the world with regards to erosion control.


Seminario Protección de Costas y Recuperación de Playas - Nuevo Paradigma Para la Costa Bonaerense

Este tipo de soluciones que viene siendo estudiada exhaustivamente tanto por el gobierno como la comunidad científica, académica y profesional, quedó plasmada entre el 25 y 26 de abril en el Hotel Hermitage de Mar del Plata en el Seminario Sistemas de protección de costas y recuperación de playas, nuevo paradigma para la Costa Bonaerense organizado por Surfrider Argentina, la Municipalidad de Gral. Pueyrredón y el Centro de Geología de Costas de la UNMDP y Declarado de Interés Ambiental por la Secretaría de Política Ambiental de la Pcia. de Buenos Aires. Este proyecto fue posible gracias a una donación de Quiksilver e Imperial a Surfrider Argentina.

"Es fundamental crear conciencia sobre la importancia de la preservación y restauración de nuestras costas. Estos recursos naturales son más que atractivos turísticos sino el medio para el desarrollo de muchas disciplinas deportivas como las que venimos realizando junto al yachting, el surf y otros deportes náuticos", declaró Silvia Eurnekian, Gerente de Relaciones Institucionales de Inversora Cervecera Sociedad Anónima (ICSA), empresa propietaria de las cervezas Bieckert, Palermo e Imperial. Por la empresa, estuvo Ernesto Gutiérrez, presidente de ICSA y pionero del surf argentino.

Mas de cuatrocientas personas participaron de éste seminario dedicado a analizar la problemática de la erosión, poniendo en debate las distintas soluciones que fueron aplicadas en diferentes partes del mundo y difundir las nuevas técnicas de intervención que están siendo implementadas con éxito en varios países. "Aprendimos que el comportamiento del mar es uno solo y que lo que hacemos acá, inexorablemente va a tener una consecuencia en todos lados. Por lo tanto hay que tener una visión integral, hay que tener una acción conjunta y mancomunada para no seguir repitiendo errores del pasado que estamos pagando muy pero muy caro", sostuvo el intendente Katz durante la apertura del seminario.

Por su parte el Vicepresidente de la Nación Argentina Daniel Scioli, ante un público integrado por especialistas en el manejo de costas y usuarios de las playas preocupados por el tema, destacó su interés por "anticiparse a los tiempos y cuidar un recurso importante desde el punto de vista turístico".Según el vicepresidente, es "fundamental que el mar no siga avanzando sobre las costas, en especial sobre Los Acantilados". Se mostró interesado por los trabajos desarrollados por Kerry Black, destacando que sus arrecifes artificiales "ya fueron utilizados en otras partes del mundo y trajeron las soluciones que se esperaban".

Estuvo presente también el Presidente honorario de Surfrider Fernando Aguerre, Presidente de la International Surfing Association y también pionero del surf argentino, quien destacó la importancia de la preservación del recurso único que cuentan nuestras costas que son las ondulaciones del océano y como el turismo de la ola genera ingresos genuinos que pueden ser la llave para el bienestar y progreso de las localides balnearias de Argentina. Convirtiendo una supuesta amenza de la naturaleza en oportunidades para el crecimiento. Citó el caso de Costa Rica donde ingresaron en 2005 250M de dólares por ese concepto.

El Dr. Kerry Black, por su rol de liderazgo a nivel mundial en la disciplina de la protección costera mar adentro, y diseñador del primer Arrecifes Sumergidos Multipropósito (ASM) del mundo que materializó la protección costera con las actividades recreativas en la playa y el mar, se refirió a ésta tecnología como un nuevo concepto en manejo de zonas costeras que consiste básicamente en disipar la energía de la ola mar adentro, para que sea utilizada como recurso económico y recreativo y rotarla de tal manera que proteja y lleve arena a la playa, Generandose a su vez una zona de aguas tranquilas y playas donde se preserva su carácter natural. Permitiendo también el refulado dado que éste tipo de estructuras da estabilidad a la playa.

Durante todo el día se realizarón los siguientes paneles:
1er Panel
Turismo en Ciudades Balnearias y la importancia de la costa como recurso presentó Luis Baldo Intendente del Villa Gesell y Presidente Municipios Turísticos * Arq. Hector De Schant (Investigador UNMDP) Ciudades Costeras y Desarrollo Económico.
* Lic . Gustavo Huici Director Ejecutivo Surfrider Argentina - Turismo y Olas en la Pcia. de Bs. As.

2do Panel
Planificación Regional y Local de Costas, presentó el Dr. Juan de Jesus Intendente Partido de la Costa
*Lic Cristina Huwiller Magíster en Ing. Ambiental Responsable Programa Ordenamiento ambiental de Costas. Contribución del Ordenamiento ambiental
para el manejo integrado de costas.
*Arq. Guillermo de Diego Propuesta Desarrollo Corredor Sur - Presentación trabajo Cátedra de Diseño 5, ciclo de orientación, de la carrera de Arquitectura y Urbanismo de la Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata.Estudiantes Germán Kahl - Gastón Marchan - Maximiliano Corvalan - Federico Eloinaz - David Salinas - Florencia Gutierrez

3er Panel
Nuevos Aportes en Ciencia y Técnica sobre la Problemática de la Erosión Costera, presentó Lic. Martín Sarasibar Secretario Planeamiento y Medio Ambiente de la Munic. de Necochea
*Dr. Daniel Martinez (CONICET Centro de Geología de Costas) La importancia del agua en las localidades balnearias
*Dr. Enrique Schnack (CIC - Laboratorio Oceanografia Costera Fac. de Ciencias Naturales y Museo UNLP) "Manejo de la erosión costera: Aspectos casos regionales, perspectivas futuras". Casos comparativos.
*Dr. Ignacio Isla (CONICET - Centro Geología de Costas UNMDP) "Dinámica de la costa marplatense: entre la erosión y la contaminación".

Cerró el Dr. Kerry Black con una Presentación técnica arrecifes sumergidos multipropósitos.

Dia 2 - Jueves 26 de abril
9:00 a 17:00hs
Se realizó una salida de Campo recorriendo las distintas situaciones de la costa de Mar del Plata.
Luego hubo un taller para expertos, científicos, profesionales, empresarios y funcionarios donde se debatieron todas las posibilidades constructivas para hacer realidad en la Costa Bonaerense éste tipo de soluciones donde sea pertinente.

Apoyaron
Comisión Investigaciones Científicas Pcia. de Buenos Aires
Secretaría de Política Ambiental Pcia. de Buenos Aires
Universidad Tecnológica Nacional
Municipalidad Partido de la Costa
Municipalidad de Necochea
Municipalidad de Gral. Alvarado
Municipalidad de Lobería
Municipalidad de Monte Hermoso
Municipalidad de Villa Gesell
Fundación Patagonia Natural
Fundación Fidentia
Comisión Medio Ambiente Concejo Deliberante MGP
International Surfing Association
Asociación Argentina de Surf
Federación Argentina de Surf
Asociación Argentina de Bodyboarding
Asociación Argentina de Kite Surf
Asociación Argentina de Bodysur
Asociación Atlántica de Windsurf
Asociación Argentina de Canoas Outrigger
Asociación Marplatense de Kayaks
Asociación Marplatense de Surf
Mar del Plata Surf Club
Sindicato Guardavidas
Agrupación Guardavidas Playa Grande
Mutual Guardavidas Mar del Plata

Comité Organizador Seminario & Taller
Presidente Honorario Surfrider Argentina Dr. Fernando Aguerre
Comisión Directiva Surfrider Argentina
Director Ejecutivo Surfrider Argentina Lic. Gustavo Huici
Directora de Relaciones Internacionales SFA Prof. Laura Marin Palmero
Dr. Federico Ignacio Isla Director Centro Geología de Costas UNMDP
Dr. Daniel Martinez investigador CONICET
Dr. Carlos Lasta CIC INIDEP
Dr. Enrique Schnack
Dra. Cristina Huwiller
Dr. Ricardo Napp
Arq. Guillermo de Diego
Lic. Carlos Galarza Delegación Mar del Plata Secretaría Politica Ambiental
Arq. María Muller Asesora Medio Ambiente Obras Públicas MGP
Periodista Susi Scandali Diario La Capital
Periodista Alejandro Tomé Prensa Gobierno de Buenos Aires
Norberto Perez Delegado Municipal Puerto
Carlos Zabaleta
Ernesto Gutierrez

Colegios:
Mar del Plata Day School
San Alberto
Escuela Polimodal
Colegio Carlos Tejedor
Escuela Media 1

Instituciones Presentes
Rotary Club MdP
Dirección Provincial de Mineria
OSSE
Cámara de Concesionarios de Unidades Turisticas Fiscales de Villa Gesell
Fundacion Aquamarina/CECIM
Fundación Patagonia Natural
Depto Geografia UNMDP
Depto Ordenamiento Territorial UNMDP
Catedra de Derecho Internacional Publico UNMDP
ONG Tierra Agua Hombre
Camara Balnearios
Centro de Actividades Submarinas Escualo
Tecnología Ambiental, UNICEN (Tandil)
Fac Arquitectura y Urbanismo
Centro de Investigaciones Turisticas UN de Mar del Plata
Foro Procostas
ONG Cocha Pacha
Kikiwai surf Club
ASBA

Expusieron
Delia Eyras Visiones Oceánicas Oleo y Fotografía
Andrés Bordas Mar y Olas Oleos
Película Balnearios de Mariano Llinas

Jensen Beach, FL -- May 1, 2007 -- A comprehensive clean-up of Martin County beaches conducted on Saturday, April 21, yielded 2,500 pounds of litter, reported Keep Martin Beautiful -- a non-profit agency dedicated to reducing litter and preserving our beaches, parks and roadways.

The event, hosted by the Treasure Coast chapter of the Surfrider Foundation, the BUZZ 103.1 FM, Keep Martin Beautiful, and Martin County Parks and Recreation Department, drew a crowd of over 140 volunteers who celebrated Earth Day by collecting trash for over two hours on Martin County's Hutchinson Island beaches.

The number one item found on local beaches was cigarette butts, reported Kelsea Kearns, vice-chair of the Treasure Coast Surfrider chapter. "We handed out over 50 large drink cups donated by Hutchinson Island Publix, and they all came came back filled." Surfrider volunteers Cole Taschman and Alex Elias of Hutchinson Island won the prize for the most cigarette butts, filling eleven drink cups with butts collected from Stuart Public Beach.

In the "most unusual" category, Jenny, Brian and Scott Kilbride of Sewall's Point took top honors, with their discoveries of a cloth patch with the Jimi Hendrix Experience logo, a bullet casing and a corroded light fixture.
Following the event, volunteers were treated to a free barbecue and a reggae concert by local band NO KAI. A raffle of surf art items and prizes donated from the community raised over $1,000 to sponsor disadvantaged youths from the Hibiscus Children's Center to attend a summer surf and environmental camp.

Bill amended to add a 2-year study despite overwhelming amount of science to support action

Tallahassee, FL – Surfrider’s Clean Oceans Bill (HB57 and SB444) were originally designed to require owners and operators of Day Cruise Gambling vessels to start implementing a pump out procedures at ports, just as the cruise ships and recreational boaters have implemented. It also provides ports to which these vessels dock the ability to establish and collect fees associated with pump-out and disposal of releases from these vessels. More importantly, it lays down a framework in which Florida can petition to the Federal government to extend sewage dumping restrictions into Federal waters. Due to restrictions in Federal Maritime Law, Florida cannot enact legislation banning sewage dumping from these vessels when they are beyond 3 miles from the east coast and 9 miles from the west coast of the State.

Despite definitive studies from the Pew Oceans Commission, Congressional Reporting Service, U.S. General Accounting Office, U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy and Florida Keys Marine Sanctuary that vessel discharges are contributing factors to degradation of our oceans; Senator Bennett, the bill sponsor, has opted to go against his constituents’ wishes for action. Without this bill there is a continued threat of irreversible damage and lack of full scientific certainty should not be used as a reason for postponing cost-effective measures to prevent environmental degradation.

HB 57 passed the House yesterday 108 to 9 after having seen that gambling ships having the capacity to dump 44 million gallons of partially treated grey and black water sewage off Florida’s coast every year. “According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the amount of bacterial pollution in the discharge of sewage from just one recreational boat is equivalent to the amount in the treated sewage of 10,000 people during a similar time period. This is why a major abuser of our Florida waters, gambling boats, need to step just as the recreational boaters and cruise ships have done,” said Greg Gordon, Surfrider Campaign Chairman.

Florida Chapters are in the final days of legislative session and are calling and emailing up a storm to get the House version adopted.

Additional information about gambling ship sewage dumping, the Clean Oceans Act, and Surfrider Clean Ocean Initiatives can be found at:

http://www.surfrider.org/sebastianinlet/news/gambling.htm
http://www.surfrider.org/a-z/cruise.asp
http://www.surfrider.org/sebastianinlet/news/description.htm