Wednesday, December 26, 2007

End of the Year Surfrider Party

This Saturday is the big S.F. shindig...
This is definitely -not- just for surfers.S.F. is working for clean water, access to the beach, beach preservation and protecting special places.
Sat,. Dec. 292 p.m. - ???
Cocoa Beach Pavilion(5000 Tom Warriner Blvd. - go west on Minuteman Causeway and turn north at the golf course, then go to the east end of the parking lot)
*** Music by The Haoles with Ricky Carroll (at 2) and the Beachnuts (around 4:30), and possibly others
Free games and contests for the little tykes Paddleboard contest by Sean O'Hare from the Cocoa Beach Surf Museum Surf movie (after dark) Surf products fundraiser sale
Requested donation is $15 - includes beer / wine / barbecue Kids under 17 free with their family
...but this is also a membership recruitment event so we're not likely to turn anyone away. You know we'll take smaller donations on a beer-by-beer basis, but to be eligible for all of the raffles you wanna spring for the wristband.
Margarita bar too (donation "cash bar"),,,
The poster is at http://grrr.net/sfparty.jpg
More info is at http://www.surfrider.org/sebastianinlet/ Rick HayesChapter ChairmanSurfrider FoundationSebastian Inlet Chaptersurfridersi@yahoo.com321.779.0279 h321.652.2024 c

Humpbacks Spared from Japanese Harpoons

Japan Suspends Humpback Hunts
December 19, 2007
At the end of the year we bring some good news from the Antarctic and some vitally important information from around the world.

JAPAN TO SUSPEND HUMPBACK HUNTReports from Tokyo indicate the Japanese have told the American Ambassador they will not hunt humpbacks this season. Photo by David MartinAustralia has indicated she will send an armed vessel and aircraft to monitor the Japanese fleet and bring back evidence to support Australia's legal action against Japan in the World Court.
BV PROTESTS BARRAGE JAPANESE EMBASSIES
Your phone calls and faxes protesting Japan's dolphin hunt sent a strong message to Japanese embassies around the world. Faxes and phone calls force them to pay attention. Thanks for the reports you sent us of your interactions with embassy officials. Your voices were heard.

MARINE MAMMAL TOXICS
At the end of November Deborah Cutting and I traveled to Cape Town, South Africa for a meeting of marine mammal scientists from around the world. Reports of dangerously toxic levels in a wide range of marine mammals were highly alarming. The good news is that this subject is taking center stage at such meetings now. And implications for human health have become part of the discussion.
During 2008 BlueVoice will publish results of our collaboration with Dr. Brian Durie of the International Myeloma Foundation establishing correlations between high toxic levels in the marine environment and human cancer clusters. This document and a corresponding film will lead a massive educational effort on our part to alert public, press, legislative and regulatory agencies to this clear and present catastrophe.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN 2007 AND BEST WISHES FOR THE HOLIDAYS. WE ASK FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT IN 2008. IT WILL BE A CRUCIAL YEAR.


For the dolphins and whales,
Hardy Jones


TESTING FOR TOXICS IN JAPAN
During 2008 we will expand our testing of marine products from Japan. Data already reveals that dolphins contain far too much mercury in their meat to be consumed by humans and that dolphin hunting should end immediately. We will also test Japanese fish exports for mercury levels in an effort to leverage the Japan Fisheries Agency into ending its support for dolphin hunting.
Our tests of fish caught in the Taiji area and sold in local markets showed all species to be safe for human consumption. This means the people of this village can eat fish but should not eat dolphin meat. One supermarket in Taiji has stopped selling dolphin meat due to its mercury content. And the schools have stopped accepting dolphin meat.
Support BlueVoice with your donations
Watch "Humpback Whales Mating" filmed in Tahiti
Link between ocean toxins and human blood cancers
Toxic Contamination in the Arctic
Watch "A Friendly Humpback Whale"
BlueVoice.org Home Page
Join our mailing list!

Save Sharks, Stop Squalane


With the holidays right around the corner, many shoppers are rushing to buy last-minute gifts. But if you plan on shopping online this holiday season, we ask you to think twice before shopping at the Vermont Country Store, purveyors of a product that is deadly to sharks.
>>Take Action: Tell the Vermont Country Store to stop peddling shark squalane!

Take Action
Tell a Friend
Support Us
Earlier this year Oceana staffers were shocked to discover a company with a very familiar name, "Oceana," has been manufacturing 100 percent pure shark squalane as a skin enhancer. The irony was not lost on us that a company with our name has been promoting the death of the very species we are working to protect. But even worse, the Vermont Country Store sells the stuff.Squalane is obtained from the livers of deep sea sharks, which are some of the most vulnerable sharks in the world. Deep sea sharks typically grow slowly, mature late in life and have only a few young during their long lives. As a result, deep sea shark populations are at extreme risk and only recover very slowly. It's simply wrong to let sharks disappear for the sake of personal beauty, especially when squalane can be made from alternatives such as olives. The health of our oceans depends on the survival of sharks, and yet sharks continue to suffer at the hand of humans.'Tis the season to extend your goodwill and protect deep sea sharks. Please contact the Vermont Country Store today and ask them to stop selling this deadly product.
For the oceans ,Elizabeth Griffin Marine Wildlife ScientistOceana
PROTECT Sharks
Tell the Vermont Country Store to stop peddling shark squalane!

Take Action


FLOWERS FOR THE OCEANS
Still looking for a last-minute holiday gift? Your pals at Oceana have got you covered! Check out this beautiful flowering tea gift set from the good folks at Organic Bouquet, featuring nine varieties of tea and flowers. A portion of the proceeds go back to ocean research and advocacy.LEARN MORE >>



Adopt a Penguin!


There's plenty of time to do some holiday shopping! Or so you told yourself two weeks agoĆ¢€¦ Don't beat yourself up for waiting until the last minute. You still have a chance to give a gift that's unique and meaningful, all from the comfort of your home or office. Symbolically adopt a penguin through Oceana and show your friend or loved one that you care about them and the oceans.
>> Adopt a penguin now!

They can survive on the frozen plains of Antarctica or along the rocky shores of Argentina, and soon their sugar cookie counterparts will survive your 350-degree oven. With all adoptions, you'll receive:
A cookie cutter in the shape of your symbolically adopted creature
An adoption certificate
A signature sugar cookie recipe, created exclusively for the Oceana adoption program by Warren Brown, star of Food Network's hit show, "Sugar Rush." And for just a bit more, you can choose to adopt some of the penguin's icy friends and also receive an original Oceana oven mitt. Order now and shipping and handling is on me!
ADOPT A PENGUIN
Symbolically adopt a penguin this holiday season for you or a loved one and receive a special penguin cookie cutter.

Adopt a Penguin!
SIXTEEN CREATURES TO CHOOSE FROM!
You can adopt any or all of your favorite creatures this holiday season:penguin, polar bear, seal, snowflake, starfish, seagull, salmon, ranger, turtle, shark, dolphin, whale, octopus, crab, seahorse and seashell.
You can even adopt all 16!




Skip the sweater and show you care by adopting an ocean creature this holiday season.
Happy Holidays,Maureen McGregor E-Activism Manager, Oceana

Rescue ocean policy and receive an Ocean Conservancy tote bag


Our government’s management of the ocean is harming ecosystems and may result in the extinction of some of our most precious marine mammals.
That’s why Ocean Conservancy is launching our Ocean Policy Rescue Campaign. We have to win the battle for the ocean and all marine wildlife where ocean policy is decided, right here in Washington, DC.Ocean policy needs help and we need you to help fight for coordinated, stronger ocean policy. Rescue ocean policy today and receive an Ocean Conservancy tote bag.
Ocean policy is important if you:
Care about the ocean
Dream of dolphins, thrill to watch whales, love sea turtles
Swim in the ocean or just enjoy the beach
Ocean Conservancy is the most effective organization dedicated to changing ocean policy, but we need your help.
I’m so convinced that improving ocean policy is the best way for us to achieve the ocean we all want, I’m making a special offer. If you’ve ever thought about making a substantial gift to Ocean Conservancy, a first time gift of $1,000 or more, now is the time because I will match your gift dollar for dollar, up to $50,000. Please send your most generous contribution, in any amount you can afford, as an investment in improved ocean policy and receive a cool Ocean Conservancy tote bag with our thanks.
Sincerely,
Chris KueblerMember, Board of Directors Ocean Conservancy

Coastal Connection Newsletter


Ocean Conservancy would like to extend a sincere “THANK YOU” to all the dedicated volunteers and coordinators who participated in the 2007 International Coastal Cleanup on Saturday, September 15. We hope that you will continue to be part of this movement and participate in local cleanups in your communities all year round.
White House Unveils Plan to Address Marine DebrisOn November 2, Ocean Conservancy’s President and CEO Vikki Spruill joined First Lady Laura Bush in Biloxi, Mississippi to unveil the White House plan to address marine debris. Vikki participated on a panel discussion about marine debris in which she was given the opportunity to showcase the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC). As outlined in the First Lady’s speech, the White House will work to promote the ICC in 100 countries around the world as part of its Marine Debris Initiative.
Ocean Conservancy Releases Five-Year Debris StudyOcean Conservancy has released key findings from the National Marine Debris Monitoring Program, a five-year national study of trash in the ocean. The study, funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, was conducted under the direction of marine debris consultant Seba Sheavly, and involved 600 volunteers who monitored debris in 21 coastal states, islands and territories. The study is the first significant evaluation of the marine debris problem in the United States and will help federal and state agencies—and local communities—better understand where trash in the ocean is coming from and assist in developing solutions for prevention of this serious problem.
To view the National Marine Debris Monitoring Program study, go to http://www.oceanconservancy.org/site/R?i=gVDVGHAUH-cTLEDsW0AYrg...
Korea Hosts ICC Campaign and Marine Litter WorkshopOcean Conservancy staff participated in the 2007 Northwest Pacific Action Plan (NOWPAP) ICC Campaign and Marine Litter Workshop in Busan, Republic of Korea. The workshop provided a venue for NGOs from NOWPAP countries, including China, Japan, Korea and Russia, to highlight ICC activities and share experiences. The goal of the workshop was to promote cooperation among the governments and civic societies in the NOWPAP region to solve the marine litter problem and conserve the marine environment. The NOWPAP workshop was organized by the Korea Marine Rescue Center, Japan Environmental Action Network and the Pusan University of Foreign Studies. Ocean Conservancy helped sponsor the event.
Boaters Boost ICC
Boaters from Turtle Cove Marina in Tarpon Springs, FL participate in the ICC.Ocean Conservancy extends a special thank-you to boaters who participated in this year's Coastal Cleanup! Boaters are a crucial part of Cleanup efforts as they can target islands, mangroves, and other areas that cannot be reached by volunteers on foot. Often these islands and mangroves serve as bird rookeries and nurseries for fish and other water life. Sadly, many Cleanup volunteers noted that the islands had much more trash than the beaches. This could be a result of marine debris floating downstream in rivers and intercoastal areas and accumulating in mangrove branches and on islands. Small islands are also popular areas for boats to anchor and picnic in the summer and often lack proper garbage disposal facilities.
If you're a boater and you'd like more information on getting involved in the Coastal Cleanup or promoting environmentally responsible boating, please visit http://www.oceanconservancy.org/site/R?i=UMWZCsHl_hAHEWUm2rp79A..
It’s a Small World: Disney Joins Cleanup
Walt Disney World Ambassador Lowell Doringo, Mickey Mouse, Laura Capps, Jackie OgdenOver 360 "cast members" from Walt Disney World and Disney Cruise Line volunteered to clean up the beaches in Brevard County, Florida, collecting over 2500 pounds of trash and litter. Ocean Conservancy Senior Vice President Laura Capps joined the Disney volunteers at their annual Cleanup event, which included Disney’s most famous employee, Mickey Mouse. Capps joined Jackie Ogden, vice president for animal programs at Walt Disney World, to thank the volunteers at a breakfast pep rally before the Cleanup. Both reminded the audience that the beach along Florida's east coast that they were about to clean is an important nesting habitat for sea turtles. Ogden recounted a story about "Little Crush," a juvenile green sea turtle with a stomach full of plastic and other garbage, recently rescued and nursed back to health by Disney Animal Program staff. Ocean Conservancy thanks Walt Disney World for their commitment to conservation and their continued support of the International Coastal Cleanup in Florida!
Sincerely,
Sonya BesteiroInternational Coastal Cleanup Manager




Your beach-lover will be stoked to receive a one-year membership, a Limited Edition Surfrider Foundation/The Ryde t-shirt, a box of 10 Victory/Campaign note cards, all 6 issues of Making Waves and a sticker to show their support of the Surfrider Foundation.Feel good about giving a gift that gives back. Order today!


Questions, comments or concerns? Email us at http://www.icebase.com/go2.shtml?bDgXxlzDO2zANp5t/dc14761b4f0ae25f/834d8a57776cee53/shantifla@yahoo.com or call us tollfree at 1-800-743-SURF. Photo by Shutterstock. To stop receiving email from the Surfrider Foundation, email http://www.icebase.com/go2.shtml?bDgXxlzDO2zANp5t/dc14761b4f0ae25f/834d8a57776cee53/shantifla@yahoo.com with "unsubscribe" in the subject line. This message is from Surfrider Foundation 120 1/2 South El Camino Real Suite #207 San Clemente, CA 92672. Surfrider Foundation's Privacy Policy

Treat Yourself and Help Protect Sea Turtles



Dear shantil, If you're desperately searching for "THE gift" this holiday season, look no further. Symbolically adopt a sea turtle and show your support for ocean conservation. It's a simple way to show a loved one you care - in a way no George Foreman grill ever could.
>> Adopt a sea turtle this holiday season and receive a special sea turtle cookie cutter!
All six species of sea turtles that swim in U.S. waters are listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act. Your donation helps us fight for their survival.
With your sea turtle adoption - or any of the other 15 ocean creatures - you'll receive:
A cookie cutter in the shape of your symbolically adopted creature
An adoption certificate
A signature sugar cookie recipe, created exclusively for the Oceana adoption program by Warren Brown, star of Food Network's hit show "Sugar Rush"
Spend a little bit more to adopt some of the sea turtle's pals and a special Oceana oven mitt. For a limited time only, your donation includes all shipping and handling fees. Order now to ensure delivery by December 25.
ADOPT A SEA TURTLE
Symbolically adopt a sea turtle this holiday season for you or a loved one and receive a special sea turtle cookie cutter.

Adopt a Sea Turtle!
SORRY ABOUT THE MIX-UP!
If you received an Oceana e-mail in Spanish over the Thanksgiving holiday, please accept our apologies! It was mistakenly sent from our colleagues in Santiago, Chile and was intended for our Spanish speaking supporters. Sorry for the error, and we'll do our best to make sure it doesn't happen again.



Don't miss out on this thoughtful and inspiring gift - perfect for grandkids, neighbors, co-workers - or any ocean enthusiast in your life.
Happy holidays,Maureen McGregor E-Activism Manager, Oceana

PS - You can choose from 16 of your favorite creatures available for adoption this holiday season:penguin, polar bear, seal, snowflake, starfish, seagull, salmon, ranger, turtle, shark, dolphin, whale, octopus, crab, seahorse and seashell.
You can even adopt all 16!

Save the Ocean While You Shop


Here's how you can complete your holiday shopping and support Ocean Conservancy at the same time!
Every gift listed below is ocean-friendly, will generate support for Ocean Conservancy, and will please someone special on your shopping list.
1. Ocean Conservancy Wine Club - Located in the wine country of California's Central Coast just south of beautiful San Luis Obispo and famed Morro Bay, and five miles from the rugged coast, Edna Valley Paragon Vineyard soils are rich with ancient marine deposits. Be one of the first to experience the Ocean Conservancy Wine Club, each delivery includes seasonal food & wine pairing tips and sustainable seafood recipes from celebrity chef Joey Altman. For every quarterly shipment of Edna Valley Vineyard wines, a contribution of $5 will be donated to Ocean Conservancy. To join the wine club call 1-888-391-WINE (9463).2. Endangered Species Chocolate - Savor chocolate this holiday season while saving our planet. Endangered Species Chocolate premium and organic chocolate is 100% ethically traded and their colorful wrappers not only increase awareness of threatened or endangered species, but also inspire proactive conservation. Endangered Species Chocolate donates 10% of net profits to help support species, habitat and humanity to Ocean Conservancy and Chimp Haven. Shop today for holiday gift giving ideas!
3. Greenboatstuff.com - Looking for the perfect gift for the boater on your shopping list? Greenboatstuff.com is dedicated to providing boaters and sailors with high-quality environmentally friendly boating products. Greenboatstuff.com extensively researches every product they carry to assure they are made in a responsible way and have the least impact on the environment. While shopping be sure to indicate Ocean Conservancy as a Friend of the Earth at checkout, and Greenboatstuff.com will donate 5% of the sale to support our ocean conservation efforts. Order online now at Greenboatstuff.com.
4. The Unnatural History of the Sea by Callum Roberts - For those of us who cherish the ocean, it is often difficult to hear stories of its imminent demise and not wonder, "How did it get so bad?" I highly recommend The Unnatural History of the Sea, because Roberts provides answers to that question and much more. In beautiful prose and exhaustively researched detail, he chronicles the steady decline of the ocean over the course of a thousand years of exploitation. Order online now and receive a 35% discount.
5. Motivate others to do their part to save our ocean by being a walking ad for ocean conservation! Wear Ocean Conservancy polo shirts, t-shirts and other cool stuff so that when you're asked, "What is Ocean Conservancy?", you can inspire others to join in the sea change that you are supporting!
6. Ocean Conservancy gift membership. Your gift recipient will receive a year's membership in Ocean Conservancy, a subscription to Ocean Conservancy magazine, a sea turtle plush - as a reminder of the marine creatures that depend on a healthy ocean-a personalized membership card, and notification by e-card or printable certificate. You will get the satisfaction of knowing that you are doing your part to spread the word for ocean conservation. Purchase a gift membership online now.
Every gift you buy from Ocean Conservancy helps to support our work to save whales, sea turtles, dolphins, and every creature that depends on a healthy ocean, including people! Thank you for supporting Ocean Conservancy when you shop this holiday season.
Sincerely,
Vikki N. SpruillPresident and CEOOcean Conservancy

Adopt a Dolphin, Get a Dolphin Cookie Cutter



Dear shantil,

We work year-round to protect dolphins and other marine life, and I'm offering you a unique opportunity to support our efforts just in time for the holidays.

>> Adopt a dolphin this holiday season and receive a special dolphin cookie cutter!

We're kicking off our second annual holiday adopt-a-creature program. With your gift to Oceana, you'll receive:
An adoption certificate
A signature sugar cookie recipe, created exclusively for the Oceana adoption program by Warren Brown, star of Food Network's hit show "Sugar Rush"
And for a little bit more, an original Oceana oven mitt
Adopt yours now and we'll throw in the shipping and handling for free!
ADOPT A DOLPHIN
Symbolically adopt a dolphin this holiday season for you or a loved one and receive a special dolphin cookie cutter.


Adopt a Dolphin!





Please help protect dolphins by symbolically adopting a dolphin for yourself or a loved one.

Happy holidays,
Maureen McGregor
E-Activism Manager, Oceana


PS - You can choose from 16 of your favorite creatures available for adoption this holiday season:
penguin, polar bear, seal, snowflake, starfish, seagull, salmon, ranger, turtle, shark, dolphin, whale, octopus, crab, seahorse and seashell.

You can even adopt all 16!

Activists on the front lines of SF oil spill - How you can help


Please donate to our efforts, then forward this to your friends or visit our chapter websites to find out how you can volunteer.




Dear 146856,

Last week tragedy struck California when 58,000 gallons of heavy bunker fuel spilled into the San Francisco Bay. Over the last 10 days, the spill has spread outside the confines of the bay and along the coast, closing at least 16 beaches and fouling environmentally sensitive areas such as the Point Reyes National Seashore.


Over 1000 birds have been found saturated with fuel and hundreds have died. The spill continues to threaten dozens of species of shorebirds, along with fish, harbor seals, porpoises and California sea lions. Governor Schwarzenegger has declared a state of emergency for the area and suspended the opening of crab fishing season and all fishing in the areas affected by the spill.

Perhaps the most disturbing aspect of this catastrophe is how slowly it took for officials to respond. San Francisco residents were shocked that oil was all over the beach and no one was there cleaning it up.

That was until local activists stepped in.

According to a Department of Fish and Game representative, "We're supposed to discourage people who haven't been trained not to clean up the oil, but the surfers have been doing a better job of cleaning it up than anyone else."

The moment our Bay Area activists heard about the spill, they did what they do best- they mobilized and swiftly responded.

Here's a report from Wes Womack, the chair of our San Francisco chapter:

The San Francisco chapter first got word of the oil spill on Wednesday night at our chapter meeting. Our activists hit the phones, email and the streets to immediately respond.


Our chapter was in close communication with fellow activists from Kill The Spill who took it upon themselves to find and rescue wildlife and begin the cleanup process. What started as a couple of people filling the void of the official efforts resulted in an overnight grassroots movement.

They focused initially on Ocean Beach for the weekend. On Saturday there were roughly 100 volunteers and on Sunday there were 1000 people on the beach collecting oil splotches with organic hair mats. By Monday morning, they secured training for volunteers and several specialized cleanup crews were focused on Ocean Beach.

Surfrider Foundation activists also took it upon themselves to place warning signs along Ocean Beach, after authorities failed to inform the public that the beach was potentially hazardous.

You can read more about the spill and the efforts of our Bay Area chapters at www.sfsurfrider.org, www.killthespill.org, and www.surfridersmc.org.

When catastrophes like this strike, the Surfrider Foundation is always on the front lines. And with your support, we'll be more than ready for the next one.

Your donation today not only assists our Bay Area activists as they continue to help clean up the damage caused by this appalling spill, you'll be helping stop these types of tragedies from happening in the first place. In fact, we are currently pushing federal legislation to strengthen and modernize the Oil Spill Prevention Act of 1990 in order to prevent future ecological disasters like this.

Sadly we never know when or where the next coastal disaster will occur. That's why your support is essential. Please make a donation to protect the beaches today and preserve them for tomorrow.

I will keep you posted on our efforts to restore the Bay Area's beaches as well as our work to ensure a tragedy like this won't happen on your beach.

For our oceans, waves and beaches,

Jim Moriarty
CEO, Surfrider Foundation



Please donate to our efforts, then forward this to your friends or visit our chapter websites to find out how you can volunteer.

Protect Kids from High-Mercury Seafood



Rachel, an Oceana supporter in California, used to eat fish like tuna and mahi mahi regularly- she figured it was delicious and healthy. But when she and her husband decided to have kids, her doctor made an alarming discovery: The level of mercury in Rachel's body was dangerous for an unborn child. He ordered her to cut high-mercury fish from her diet and delay pregnancy.

>> Ask your supermarket to post mercury warning signs at its seafood counters!




Take Action Tell a Friend Support Us


Because of the neurological risks of mercury exposure, the Food and Drug Administration issued advice for women of child bearing age and children to avoid or limit certain types of fish, including swordfish and tuna.

The FDA's mercury recommendations, unfortunately, have failed to reach many families, like Rachel and her husband. In fact, an EPA scientist estimates one in six women of child bearing age currently has enough mercury in her body to pose neurological risks to a developing fetus.

To educate customers, a number of grocery stores, including Whole Foods and Trader Joe's, have joined Oceana's Green List by posting signs about the FDA mercury advice at their seafood counters. These signs alert customers to the danger of mercury in seafood and tell them which fish women of child bearing age and children should avoid right at the place where they're deciding what to buy.

But most stores are not yet posting signs about mercury at their seafood counters. So we need your help to convince supermarkets across the country to get on board.

Rachel's story has a happy ending because she found out about mercury in fish and took steps to reduce her mercury level before getting pregnant- she now has a happy, healthy little girl. But without sufficient warnings, many parents aren't as lucky as Rachel and are inadvertently putting their children at risk. For more information and real-life mercury stories, check out our video "Mercury, Seafood and You".

For the oceans,
Beth Kemler
Seafood Campaign Organizer
Oceana Green Your Grocer
Tell YOUR supermarket to educate consumers about the risks of mercury in seafood.

Take Action


Quiz Your Seafood Counter Attendant!
Oceana volunteers around the country are quizzing the seafood counter attendants at their grocery stores to find out how much they know about mercury. Will you help out the next time you go grocery shopping? Their answers may surprise you.

Get the Quiz >>

Flower Power

Purchase Organic Bouquet's three-herb wreath and ring in the holiday cheer this season and beyond. Made of rosemary, thyme and bay leaves, this wreath is not only pretty, it provides a year's worth of culinary herbs. And the best part? A portion of the proceeds go back toward Oceana's conservation efforts.

Shop Now >>

Update on the Dolphin Slaughter
The annual dolphin slaughter is underway in Japan. As many as 20,000 dolphins could be killed this season. We've already generated more than 10,000 letters to the Japanese Embassy, but we need to add your voice to the cause. What are you waiting for?

Take Action Now >>

oceana.org

Kelly Slater Meets FLA Governor



FLORIDA GOVERNOR PRESENTS KELLY SLATER WITH CRUCIAL BEACH PROTECTION BILL




On Tuesday, Florida Governor Charlie Crist presented a signed copy of Senate Bill 1472 to eight-time world surfing champion Kelly Slater. The presentation took place at an event celebrating Slater's appointment to the Governor's Council for Physical Fitness.

Senate Bill 1472 works to preserve the public's right to access the beach and protect beach users and sea turtles from an experimental form of coastal armoring. Thanks in part to a statewide lobbying campaign undertaken by Surfrider Foundation's Florida chapters, the bill recently received unanimous passage through both the Florida House and Senate.

"Here in Florida, Surfrider Foundation has been extending itself beyond the surf community," said Kelly Slater. "They're not only looking out for the concerns of surfers but everyone that enjoys the ocean."

The Surfrider Foundation has over 3000 members and 11 Chapters in Florida. Their combined activism was instrumental not only in passage of Senate Bill 1472 but the inclusion of an ‘Open Beaches Amendment' to the legislation. Surfrider activists throughout Florida communicated with their elected representatives the critical need for beach access protection in the nation's 4th most populous state. A contingent of highly dedicated volunteers even took a day from work to travel hundreds of miles to Florida's Capitol in Tallahassee to meet with legislators the day the bill was voted upon.

"This is a landmark piece of legislation," said Ericka D'Avanzo, Florida Regional Manager for 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 ocean access points."


Click here for the latest news, pictures and video from the event
TEAM EFFORT BRINGS SURFING INTO THE MAINSTREAM

Surfing comes of age through the energy and dedication of those concerned about the state of our oceans and beaches. Further proof that teamwork can do great things. Are you part of the team? Join or renew with Surfrider today!







--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Never underestimate that a dedicated few can change the world, surely it is the only thing that ever has.
-Margaret Meade-

Be a part of the team
Join Surfrider!

Saturday, November 10, 2007

Special Announcement: Ocean Conservancy's Spruill Joins First Lady to Announce White House Plan on Marine Debris




On Friday, November 2, Ocean Conservancy’s President and CEO Vikki Spruill joined First Lady Laura Bush as the White House unveiled a new initiative to address marine debris during the dedication ceremony of the J.L. Scott Marine Education Center-Gulf Coast Research Laboratory in Biloxi, Mississippi.

The First Lady has championed marine debris prevention since witnessing firsthand the extent of the problem while visiting the remote Northwestern Hawaiian Islands National Marine Monument. Spruill was invited to represent the conservation community at the Biloxi event due in large part to Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup, the world’s largest volunteer effort to improve the health of the ocean and its wildlife.

The White House plan calls for an increase in public/private partnerships on cleanups, enhanced public education on debris prevention and an emphasis on international cooperation to end dumping in the ocean. Spruill lauded the First Lady’s leadership on marine debris.

“I am excited about the synergies between the new White House plan for addressing marine debris and Ocean Conservancy’s ongoing work. Trash in our ocean kills and injures wildlife through ingestion and entanglement, and coastal communities bear the economic costs of debris removal, lost tourism and lower property values - but there is hope. The world over, from Biloxi to Bangladesh, people are uniting to solve the problem of marine debris,” said Spruill. “The First Lady’s dedication to the issues we have been fighting for is inspiring -- and, it gives a big push to the sea change that is underway.”

For 22 years, Ocean Conservancy has convened the Cleanup in which almost a half a million volunteers in nearly 70 countries spend a few hours removing trash and debris from beaches, lakes, rivers and other waterways and record what they find. Last year, the Cleanup removed 7 million pounds of debris. Ocean Conservancy uses the data to promote debris prevention, public education, and advocacy.

Spruill linked efforts like the White House initiative, the Scott Center and the Cleanup to the National Marine Debris Monitoring Program (NMDMP), the first-ever scientific study of marine debris, released the same day by Ocean Conservancy. The NMDMP report was a 10-year joint effort by Ocean Conservancy and EPA and is a watershed moment in our understanding of the sources and types of debris in our ocean. Results indicate that most of the debris in the ocean comes from land-based human activities.

Sincerely,
Laura Capps
Senior Vice President for Communications and Outreach
Ocean Conservancy

Lots going on this week with Surfrider!




Beach Cleanup scheduled for Wednesday, November 7th, 4 to 5 p.m. – The Cocoa Beach Surf Club and the high school group, Future Business Leaders of America, will be leading a beach cleanup at the end of Minutemen Causeway in Cocoa Beach. Starting at 4 p.m., the two groups will split north and south to pick up trash brought up by recent swells. There will free drinks and prizes given away to whoever finds the strangest piece of trash and also who collects the most. The public is invited to join in helping to keep our coasts clean.

Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. there will be a presentation on The Space Coast Multi-Purpose Artificial Surfing Reef by Dr. John Hearin at the Cocoa Beach City Hall meeting room.

Next Chapter Meeting – November 8th at Dakine Diegos in Satellite Beach. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. and we’ll be discussing plans for our Winter Party as well as deciding a course of action to get the Florida Clean Ocean Act passed this year. The bill would regulate how the gambling boats treat and dispose of their sewage, which they currently can legally dump ONLY THREE MILES from our beaches.

Sean Slater Invitational for the World Skin Cancer Foundation, November 10-11th – Surfrider will be setting up the tent during the event and providing information on the latest news on what’s happening along our beaches. Free copies of the national publication Making Waves will be available as well as brochures on how to get involved. If you can help out contact surfridersi@yahoo.com or call Rick at 779-0279.

Next Tuesday, Kelly Slater and Gov. Charlie Crist will be at Roosevelt Elementary in Cocoa Beach to commemorate the passing of the Florida Open Beaches Act amendment, which safeguards the public's access to our beaches. Look for the press release in the Florida Today.

Sebastian Aravena elected as Chairman – At the last meeting held in the Surfing Hall of Fame Museum back in October, Sebastian was overwhelmingly approved as the new chairman of the Sebastian Inlet chapter. His wife, Colleen, was also voted in as volunteer coordinator. Both of the them are committing their extra time to be “Keepers of the Coast” and help lead volunteers into 2008. The current chairman, Rick Hayes, has organized over 60 events and meeting in the last two years, and the chapter has won recognition as activists to prevent ocean pollution through protests, paddle outs, beach cleanups, school visits, and presentations to community groups.

Thank you County Commissioners for Purchasing the 1000 Islands – By a unanimous vote, Jackie Colon and Helen Voltz helped preserve the Indian River Lagoon by voting to approve the purchase of the Reynolds property, located south of Minutemen Causeway in Cocoa Beach. The 257 acres contained uplands, mangroves, and many small islands, an ideal place for kayaking. The mangroves will act as part of a filtering system for the river, keeping the water clean enough for fish and humans to swim in.

Thanks to Daniel Narlock Financial Services and Ocean Minded for hosting a beach cleanup in October at Spanish House. Over a dozen volunteers came out to clean the beach, crossover, and the road north to Whiteys. The dawn patrollers scored chest high waves and offshore winds, and participants scored t’s and hats from Catalyst Surf Shop. The home baked chocolate chip cookies were a nice treat, too.

“We have a responsibility, a solemn responsibility, to be good stewards of the oceans and the creatures who inhabit them.” – President George W. Bush

The Sebastian Inlet chapter is still looking for a Vice Chairman, a Treasurer, and a Cocoa Beach District Leader. Without volunteers, we are powerless to make things better.

*******************

From TJ Marshall - Surfrider Miami Chapter

"Hey Folks, Last night I was watching “Evening Edition” on the Weather Channel and it was a full blown focus on beach erosion in Florida due to Tropical Storm Noel. I expect there may be some areas of the State where shoreline emergencies are declared, similar to what occurred during our May Super Swell.

I ask that folks have their cameras ready and batteries charged to get some pictures right after the winds begin to die down MOST IMPORTANTLY before the beach rakes and dozers get out there and level-off the scarps which are such strong visual post-storm images of how vulnerable our coastal areas are.

Those of you who have development issues, project areas, and locations involved with litigation, I STRONGLY recommend you get some pictures to document what happened. This helps us when things aren’t as bad as sometimes they’re made out to be. On the flip side sometimes it shows just how insane some coastal development is and how it should be more tightly regulated.

If you hear of any structures impacted in your area and have the time, please take some pictures. To collect all this stuff I’ve created a Google Picasa Photo Page. This is the best stuff I’ve seen on the web and is a simple download to your computer, just click here. Once you download the software to your desktop and open it, link it to the following account: Username: FLSurfrider Password: beacherosion If it asks for the email address the account is linked to, it’s mine tjm@surfrider.org

Using the software you can upload entire folders of pictures from your computer in one step rather than the slow picture by picture process of most other online photo album websites. Check out Miami Surfrider’s Picasa Page to see what I mean, I’ve uploaded 200 pictures at a time before with one click, walk away and let it do its thing. The software automatically compresses the pictures so we can fit thousands of them on the webpage.

Don’t delete the pictures from your computer after uploading; we may need a high-res version for a publication at some point. If you have any questions regarding uploading pictures, the Picasa software or any other concerns, by all means drop me a line. TMarshall@surfrider.org

Right whales in trouble on 35th Anniversary of MMPA



October 21st marked the 35th anniversary of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, designed to prevent human-caused death of whales, seals, dolphins and other marine mammals. No whale is more endangered than the North Atlantic right whale. So, we’ll start with an update on our efforts to save them.

Plight of the right whale garners national attention
The loss of even a single female right whale could mean the difference between survival and extinction for this magnificent giant. Ocean Conservancy has been hard at work to find solutions to the fishing gear that threatens entanglement and to require ships to slow down as they travel through right whale migration routes. The Washington Post recently featured an article on the plight of the right whale with comments from Ocean Conservancy’s Victoria Cornish. For more information on the right whale, to read the article or learn what you can do to help, visit: www.oceanconservancy.org/rightwhales

Study shows impact of small fishermen on sea turtles
A recently published research paper following a 10-year study of loggerhead sea turtles in Baja California revealed that small-scale fishing operations, not huge commercial factory trawlers as previously thought, may be far more damaging to the survival of loggerheads. Ocean Conservancy Senior Scientist, Wallace “J.” Nichols, researcher Hoyt Peckham of the University of California-Santa Cruz, and a team of researchers co-authored the paper. “Many small-scale fishing operations off Baja overlap with the places where loggerhead turtles live. The use of indiscriminate gillnets and long-line fishing gear in these areas is deadly for the turtles,” said Nichols. For more on sea turtles and Ocean Conservancy’s efforts to save them, visit: www.oceanconservancy.org/seaturtles

Ocean Conservancy visits Hawaiian fish farm
Fish farming is the fastest growing sector of the global food economy, and currently provides more than 40% of all fish products sold worldwide. But there are risks, including the spread of disease and parasites and the discharge of fish wastes, drugs and chemicals. In order to learn more about sustainable fish farming, Ocean Conservancy’s Tim Eichenberg recently toured Kona Blue, a fish farm in Kona, Hawaii that raises a half-million fish in sea cages submerged offshore. Kona Blue is trying hard to prevent harm to the environment, but without national environmental standards - comparable to those that Ocean Conservancy secured in California - fish farms are not obligated to be sustainable or to protect wild fish populations already at risk from overfishing and habitat destruction. For more on Ocean Conservancy’s work on fish farming, visit: www.oceanconservancy.org/aquaculture

Ocean Conservancy calls for action on sharks
Ocean Conservancy has urged the US government to present a shark conservation proposal at the upcoming annual meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) in Turkey. Our requests included an anti-finning requirement that sharks be landed with their fins attached and the establishment of catch limits on North Atlantic mako and porbeagle sharks. "This November, the member countries of ICCAT have an opportunity to adopt the world's first international catch limits for sharks," said Sonja Fordham, Ocean Conservancy's Shark Conservation Program Director who will serve on the US delegation to the ICCAT meeting. "The porbeagle shark, in particular, as one of the Atlantic's most endangered fish, deserves full and immediate protection." Members can help by contacting their government representatives and requesting a high priority for shark conservation at ICCAT. For more on sharks, visit: www.oceanconservancy.org/sharks

Sea turtle nest survey: good or bad news first?
A recently completed survey of sea turtle nesting at the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge in Florida has shown that it was a bad year for loggerheads but great one for green and leatherback turtles. The 7,896 loggerhead nests in the Refuge were the fewest since 1982 when record-keeping began and well off the high of 18,000 in 1998. Green turtles, however, hit a record high of 4,478 nests. Leatherbacks numbers rose to 74, a record high, but that number is still considered low. For more on sea turtles, visit: www.oceanconservancy.org/seaturtles

Workplace giving saves dolphins, whales, and seals
Workplace giving to Ocean Conservancy through Earth Share is one of the easiest ways to support our good work preserving and protecting the ocean. Earth Share lets you make direct payroll contributions to Ocean Conservancy. Your support will help us save endangered whales, seals, dolphins and more. Ocean Conservancy’s Earth Share-CFC number is 11436. To learn more about supporting Ocean Conservancy through Earth Share, visit: www.oceanconservancy.org/earthshare

E-newsletter subscriber discount for The Unnatural History of the Sea
For those of us who cherish the ocean it is often difficult to hear stories of its imminent demise and not wonder, “How did it get so bad?” In The Unnatural History of the Sea, Callum Roberts provides answers to that question and much more. A devoted conservationist, adventurer, diver (and friend) Callum Roberts relays a story of the remarkable decline of a sea once teeming with fish and wildlife. What is left is a deeply moving sense of urgency that something must be done before it’s too late. Ocean Conservancy has negotiated a special offer for our e-newsletter subscribers who will receive a 35% discount when purchasing copies of The Unnatural History of the Sea at: www.oceanconservancy.org/callumroberts

Ocean Conservancy has new home in Washington
Ocean Conservancy has a new home for us to grow our efforts to preserve and protect our precious ocean resources. Our new address is:

Ocean Conservancy
1300 19th Street NW
8th Floor
Washington DC 20036

Phone numbers and email addresses are unchanged.

7 Dolphins To Be Killed Tomorrow-Protest Today!



This is Hardy Jones reporting from Taiji Japan.
After 8 days of not hunting dolphins, the fishermen have brought into Hatajiri Bay 7 dolphins which appear to me to be Risso's Dolphins. I don't know exactly what is shaping up. Traditionally there are 2 sets of nets across the bay and this one seems to have been thrown together very quickly. But they have got the 7 Risso's dolphins here, which if previous experience is a guide, they will kill tomorrow morning.
Now is the time for you to fax or telephone Japanese embassies and consulates near you. Faxes are great because they can't forward you to voice mail. Emailing is not so effective because they can set up spam blockers. But please make your voice heard. Let them know that these atrocities must not proceed.
There are two offices you can call in Washington, DCJapanese Information and Cultural Center Phone: (202) 238-6949Fax: (202) 822-6524Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Embassy of JapanPhone: (202) 238-6700Fax: (202) 328-2187
Your protest will be very effective, particularly right now when there is a tremendous amount of world attention focused on Taiji. Contact your Japanese embassy or consulate and protest vigorously.
Click here for Japanese embassies in your area

For the Taiji dolphins,
Hardy Jones

Friday, October 26, 2007

Get Your Freaky Fish On


Halloween is fast approaching, and we couldn't think of a better time to pay homage to this ghoulishly delightful day than to celebrate the creepy, crawly critters of the deep - the ones that are too bizarre to live on land.

You helped us track down some of the freakiest fish of the deep, now we need your help deciding which one will take top honors in our 2007 contest. Last year's winner, the blobfish, may look like Ziggy's ugly cousin, but this year's finalists are equally freaky - if not more so. Take the tubeworm: it has no mouth, gut or anus and actually feeds using a bacteria that lives symbiotically within the worm. If that doesn't make your stomach churn just a bit, consider the Atlantic Hagfish, known by its alias, the slime eel. These guys are able to twist their serpentine bodies into myriad pretzel shapes, which help them wriggle into the open cavities of their prey so they can eat dinner from the inside out. Not impressed? Consider casting a vote for the Alien-like deep sea dragonfish, the goblin shark or the devil scorpionfish. You'll enjoy reading about each of these fish and others, when you make your selection for the Freakiest Fish 2007. Go vote now! We'll announce the winner on Halloween.

AAU National Surfing Championships / Surfet's Halloween Wahine Pro/Am Cocoa Beach This Weekend


Surfrider will have a tent on the beach at the AAU National Surfing Championships / Surfet's Halloween Wahine Pro/Am in front of Coconuts in Cocoa Beach on Saturday October 27 and Sunday October 28. Everyone is invited to come out and spread the vibe about Surfrider, or to find out more about how you can help in being a Keeper of the Coast.

Friday, October 19, 2007

Beach Cleanup Reminder on 10/20


On Saturday morning at 9 a.m. Surfrider, Catalyst Surf Shop, Lost Energy Drinks, Longdoggers. and local surf clubs will be joining together to clean the beaches around Spanish House - the beautiful coast one mile north of Sebastian Inlet. We'll meet at the parking lot on the west side of A1A - look for it 1/2 mile past Whitey's Bait Shop.
The plan is to split up and have one group clean to the south, and the second head north on the beach and on A1A. We'll be done by 11 a.m.
We'll have snacks and drinks before the event, and prizes for participants afterwards, donated by Catalyst and Daniel Narlock Financial Services.
What a great reason to come out and do a dawn patrol before the event!!

Tell Florida Senators: Help Sea Turtles


Sea turtles are in danger of extinction. A new federal review shows loggerhead sea turtles that nest in Florida are dwindling. The National Marine Fisheries Service has released a five-year status report on Atlantic loggerhead sea turtle populations and found the most drastic decreases were in the nesting populations along the Florida panhandle and along the coast of south Florida.
>>Take Action: Tell Florida Sens Bill Nelson and Mel Martinez about sea turtle extinction today!


Take Action
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Support Us
Florida has one of the two largest loggerhead nesting areas in the world, yet nesting in this region has decreased by 39.5 percent since 1998. Incidental capture, known as bycatch, is the most significant man-made factor affecting conservation and recovery of loggerheads, according to the report.Tens of thousands of loggerhead sea turtles are killed by commercial fisheries each year in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, with bottom trawls, longlines, dredges and gillnets being responsible for the majority of these deaths.Loggerhead sea turtles are threatened as listed under the Endangered Species Act. Therefore the National Marine Fisheries Service is required to protect them in water, and the Fish and Wildlife Service must protect them on land. It's time for the federal government to better regulate and enforce sea turtle bycatch in commercial fisheries before loggerheads become merely a memory.For loggerhead sea turtle populations to recover, the federal government must provide better protection, which includes closing important habitat areas to fishing and monitoring of commercial fishing fleets more closely.Please take a moment to contact Senators Nelson and Martinez today and ask them to help save sea turtles. We need political support to help make sure Florida continues to have sea turtles.
For the oceans,Elizabeth Griffin Marine Wildlife ScientistOceana

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Help restore Gulf Greater Amberjack



Greater amberjack plays an important role in the Gulf’s ecosystem and fishing economy. But, that popularity has had its price. Decades of poor management and unsustainable fishing practices have resulted in greater amberjack being removed from the Gulf’s waters faster than the population can reproduce. Right now, our fishery managers have the opportunity to reverse this trend and restore the health of this valued fish. Please take action by urging the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council to end the overfishing of greater amberjack in the Gulf of Mexico.

Gulf fishery managers are currently considering changes in the management plan for greater amberjack. They have the opportunity to ensure the long-term health of this fish by applying scientific advice into on-the-water regulations. Annual catch levels based on science are the cornerstone of sustainable management and the best way to ensure fish for the future.
Your voice needs to be heard by the Council. They need to hear that we care about the Gulf's health and future of our communities. Please, take action today.

For more information and background, click here to read our fact sheet on greater amberjack.

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

Blogging for the Environment

Blogging for the Environment
Bloggers Unite - Blog Action Day
October 15, a week from today, is Blog Action Day, and the theme this year is the environment. If you have a blog and want to join in, all you have to do is use that day to post something related to the environment, in whatever way, shape, or form you prefer. You can pick an environmental issue that has meaning for you and let us know why it's important. Organize a beach or neighborhood cleanup and tell us about it. If you're into fiction writing, give us a story with an environmental theme. Have a podcast, videoblog, or photoblog? Join the fun! The idea here is to have a mass effect on public awareness by sharing as many ideas in as many ways as possible.

Thursday, October 4, 2007

Sharkwater the Movie Now Playing in Brevard County

"Sharkwater" is playing at Merritt Island Cobb 16 Theater in the mall only through this Thursday Oct 4. This movie shows how sharks as the apex predator are so important to the health of the Oceans and the Earth in general. It is the opposite of "Jaws" and tells the true story of what is happening on the high seas away from the general public.


Did you know humans kill more than 100 million sharks globally each year? It's true. Current management methods leave many shark populations at risk. The National Marine Fisheries Service has cooked up a package of proposals which could provide vital protection for sharks, but we need your help to ensure some of the most critical proposals are adopted.

>>Take Action: Send your comments to the National Marine Fisheries Service today!

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One key component of this package is ending overfishing and rebuilding overfished populations of sandbar, dusky, and porbeagle sharks in the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, where their numbers have fallen drastically due largely to commercial fishing activity.

A second key proposal would require that sharks be landed with their fins intact. Shark fins are a highly priced commodity so to maximize their profits, fishing fleets in most countries sever the fins and cast the defenseless and dying sharks back into the ocean to make room for more fins. Currently in the U.S., shark fins and bodies must be landed in a specified ratio to prevent dumping bodies at sea but using this sort of a finning ban causes enforcement and data collection problems.

Sharks are at the top of the ocean food chain. They help control other marine species populations and maintain order in the underwater realm. It's time to conserve and protect shark species, before we cause any further damage to the ocean ecosystem.

The National Marine Fisheries Service is accepting comments on their shark proposal until October 10, 2007 so spend a minute and send in your comments today. Let's take a stand for sharks now -- before it's too late.

Tell the Senate: A LOTS at Stake




When it comes to our oceans, there's lots at stake. More than ever we need to ensure adequate measures are in place to protect the world's most valuable asset, which is why it's so imperative that the United States accede to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (LOTS).

>>Take Action: Ask the Senate to pledge LOTS of support for the Law of the Sea treaty.

http://takeaction.oceana.org/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=13637

The Law of the Sea is a set of rules and guidelines for the use of the world's oceans, including protecting the environment and preserving the freedom of navigation. The Law of Sea came into force in 1994, and to date, 152 countries have ratified the treaty, yet the United States has not.

The Law of the Sea sets a global standard requiring countries to conserve the marine environment, protect fish stocks, and prevent pollution. In order to remain a leader in ocean conservation and have a seat at the table in future discussions, the United States must accede to the Law of the Sea treaty.

The Foreign Relations Committee will be holding a hearing on the treaty this Thursday. Make a difference for the ocean by contacting your senators and letting them know you support the U.S. accession to this treaty.

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Take action - Thank Gov. Crist and FWC for postponing manatee downlisting






The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) had planned to downlist manatees from “Endangered” to “Threatened” on Florida’s Imperiled Species List. Ocean Conservancy and its partners have been fighting to prevent the manatee downlisting since it was first proposed by local fishing groups. At issue is way Florida defines the terms “threatened” and “endangered” -- the classification system is based on listing/delisting rule language that is flawed and has been criticized by environmental groups and scientists worldwide.

Following a request by Florida Governor Charlie Crist, the FWC voted recently to postpone the decision to reclassify manatees. Calling the manatee one of Florida’s beloved natural resources, Governor Crist issued a letter on September 10th to Rodney Barreto, Chair of the FWC, asking the Commission to postpone the vote on whether to downlist the species. "I believe a more prudent course of action at this time would be to postpone consideration of the proposed change in the status of this species,” Crist said in his letter. Chairman Barreto and the rest of the Commissioners honored this request and voted to postpone a decision.

View the full text of Governor Crist’s letter (pdf).



Ocean Conservancy applauds Governor Crist, Commission Chairman Barreto, and the Commissioners for their action. Please contact Governor Crist and Chairman Barreto and thank them for postponing the dowlisitng of Florida’s manatees. In addition, ask them to use the extra time granted to take another critical look at the classification system and address the concerns repeatedly expressed by the environmental community. Get a summary of the state downlisting issue (PDF).

Thanks for your support!

Sincerely,

Jessica Koelsch
Marine Wildlife Manager
Ocean Conservancy




As announced at the August, 2007 meeting, I am stepping down as Chapter Chair of the Sebastian Inlet Chapter. There are other board positions open. Elections for new board members will be held during the October 11, 2007 meeting being held at the East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame and Museum at 7:30 p.m.

A generally accepted practice for Surfrider is to have interested activists self-nominate themselves for board positions (in lieu of the alternative practice of having one person nominate another).

The board positions are Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, Event Coordinator and Volunteer Coordinator.

If you are interested in any of these positions, please email me at sebastianinlet@surfrider.org, and call me at 321.779.0279 to confirm that your nomination has been received.

If you know of someone who may be interested, and they may have not received this email, please pass the information along.

Thank you.



Rick Hayes
Chapter Chairman
Surfrider Foundation
Sebastian Inlet Chapter
surfridersi@yahoo.com
321.779.0279 h
321.652.2024 c

What's the State of Your Beach?





The Surfrider Foundation's 2007 State of the Beach report has been released! You can read this comprehensive and informative report on the health of our beaches at http://www.surfrider.org/stateofthebeach.

Although the core audience for this report is coastal managers across the US, the State of the Beach report also empowers concerned beach users like you by providing detailed information to take action on behalf of your coast.
The report evaluates the status of 9 Beach Health Indicators: beach access, surf zone water quality, erosion data, erosion response, beach fill, shoreline structures, beach ecology, surfing areas and website for 25 coastal states and territories.

The featured indicator this year is surf zone water quality. Water quality at our beaches continues to be impaired by both non-point source pollution and episodic sewer spills threatening the health of beach goers, surfers and ocean wildlife.

The sections of each state report provide numerous links to easily access additional information, data and reports produced by state agencies, academic institutions and other organizations.

You can also view bonus State of the Beach report sections including:
The Bad and the Rad - factoids highlighting information on what's wrong and what's right along our coasts.


Perspectives - articles by Surfrider foundation staff, activists and other environmentalists regarding the state of our beaches and coastal waters.


Our Beach Manifesto - Surfrider Foundation's goals for coastal conditions and coastal management policy.


Please take a look at the State of the Beach report. If you would like a printed executive summary of this report, have questions or would like to give us feedback, feel free to contact us at stateofthebeach@surfrider.org.





The award-winning film Sharkwater is coming to a theatre near you at a pivotal time for shark conservation. Sharkwater chronicles shark finning off Central America and enlightens audiences as to the plight of these misunderstood animals. At the same time, government proposals to conserve sharks off Florida and end shark finning in U.S. Atlantic waters need public support. Please take action before October 11 to endorse proposed restrictions to stop overfishing and waste of these vulnerable species.



The Problem

As revealed in Sharkwater, sharks are in serious peril from overfishing. Species off Florida have been sought for decades for sport and for their valuable parts. Shark fins are particularly valuable for use in an expensive Asian soup. Disparity between meat and fin value creates an incentive for “finning”—the wasteful practice of slicing off a shark’s fins and discarding the body at sea. Sharks generally grow slowly and are especially susceptible to depletion while restrictions on shark fishing have been lax. As a result, populations of many Atlantic sharks, including the sandbar shark, have declined seriously and need decades to recover. Some species, like the porbeagle shark, are already considered at risk for extinction. Many depleted shark species are still subject to targeted fishing. The U.S. has banned shark finning, but the measure relies on a complicated fin-to-body weight ratio that is hard to enforce.

The Solution

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) recently proposed a number of improvements to Atlantic shark fisheries management, including an end to targeted fishing of depleted sandbar sharks and protection for porbeagles. NMFS has also proposed prohibiting removal of shark fins at sea which would greatly improve compliance with the finning ban and enhance collection of catch data. Together, these measures can help rebuild Atlantic sharks and position the U.S. to champion similar shark conservation measures internationally.

The shark proposals face strong industry opposition and support from the concerned public is key to their success. Please take action before October 11 by sending a letter of support for these measures to the NMFS Highly Migratory Species Division to help ensure measures are finalized and these slow-growing species start on the long road to recovery.



Thank you for your support!

Sincerely,

Sonja Fordham
Shark Conservation Program Director
Ocean Conservancy

Japan Ups Dolphin Kill Quotas-Opposition Grows





Opposition to Dolphin Hunt Grows September 2007


As Japan ups quotas for dolphins in both Taiji and Futo, and expands the slaughterhouse in Taiji, opposition to consuming dolphin meat grows. Two Taiji city councilmen have broken the Japanese code of silence and labeled meat from dolphins "toxic waste" due to its high mercury content. They have demanded dolphin meat be withdrawn from the school lunch program. This is a huge step in generating local opposition to the dolphin hunt.


BlueVoice has long reported that dolphin and whale meat sold in Japan contains both toxic levels of mercury and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as PCBs and Dioxins.

Watch our interview with Dr. Tetsuya Endo of Hokkaido University on mercury contamination in dolphins.


Quota Expanded, Hunt Begins Early

The dolphin killers at Taiji began the hunt one month early with special permission from the government. So far they have killed at least 95 dolphins, including 45 Risso's Dolphins, 18 bottlenose and 32 pilot whales. Your contribution will put our team in the field documenting the slaughter, raising international protest and bringing facts about contamination to the Japanese people.
Dolphins awaiting slaughter - Photo by Nigel Barker

Your support is crucial. Please donate now.


Japan Dolphin Day

September 25 has been designated a day to focus protest on the dolphin kill in Japan. Please call or write or fax or personally visit the Japanese embassy or consulate nearest you demanding an end to this atrocity.

Japanese Embassy, Washington DC : Phone 202-238-6700

For a list of Japanese Embassies in other locations, click here

Mothers' Milk Contaminated by Pollutants

Overwhelming evidence mounts that whale and dolphin meat is not safe to eat. A recent study by Japanese scientists shows that Japanese women who eat large quantities of fish have high levels of PCBs (a carcinogen and estrogen imitator) in the milk they feed their babies. WHALES AND DOLPHINS ARE NOT FOOD.


Two Girls for Every Boy Born to Inuit Mothers in Arctic Who Eat Marine Mammals

Coastal Inuits are at particular risk of ingesting contaminants because they eat seals, dolphins and whales. Pollution concentrates in the blubber of marine mammals, part of the traditional Inuit diet.

By publicizing these facts we hope to shut down demand for dolphin meat in Japan and thus the incentive for hunting dolphins. We will publish a fact sheet covering this information in Japanese for distribution in Taiji and Futo when we return to Japan next month.

What a tragic irony it is that we have to use this kind of information to stop the killing of dolphins.

Read the Times article


For the dolphins and whales,

Hardy Jones,
Executive Director

Paddle 4 Clean Water at the Cape


Hope to see you there.....
September 23rd - Our Annual Paddle for Clean Water, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Jetty Park in Cape Canaveral. This is your chance to join other watermen and women who love the ocean. We will be paddling out past the jetty to form a circle of friendship, joining to protest against those who pollute our coastline. Surfers, bodyboarders, paddle boarders, kayakers, rafters, boaters, fishermen, beachgoers all can join us. To encourage more attendees, Cocoa Beach Kayaking (784-4545) and Space Coast Kayaking (784-2452) have both offered the use of some of their kayaks for free. Just be sure to call them to reserve your space. Healthy snacks and drinks will be provided for paddlers, and t-shirts will be available. (There is a $5 entrance to the park) I need someone to help bring up the 12 boxes of SOBE vitamin water 12 packs that are in Cocoa Beach and also we need some volunteers who can bring just coolers with ice. No word on boats that want to carry protest signs. BTW - have you made your sign yet? We have a few, but your expressions make it colorful.The event this year focuses on curbing cruise ship pollution at the passage of the Beach Protection Act, which at the national level, which insures better monitoring and enforcing of current dumping restrictions. At the state level we will be working to create a stronger version of the Clean Ocean Act. We will also have brochures on how to keep the ocean clean for beachgoers and boaters, explaining how each of us has a part in preventing pollution.
October 11th - Monthly Meeting at the Cocoa Beach Surf Museum (north side of Ron Jons in Cocoa Beach) - 6:30 p.m. (come early for goodies!) This is the big one - elections of new Surfrider officers - Chairman and Secretary. If you want to elect our new leaders, you need to be at this meeting.
If you would like to bring in dish, please feel free to. We'll bring the utensils, cups, and plates. Rick HayesChapter ChairmanSurfrider FoundationSebastian Inlet Chaptersurfridersi@yahoo.com321.779.0279 h321.652.2024 c

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

What if we could see beneath the surface of the ocean?





Look beneath this beautiful ocean scene and you might find cigarettes and cigarette filters, food wrappers and containers, plastic bottles, glass bottles, beverage cans, abandoned fishing line and nets, rope, syringes, and worse — all caused by human carelessness. Help Ocean Conservancy clean up our beaches and waterways. Donate Now.


If we could see beneath the surface of the ocean, I believe no one would ever again carelessly toss trash on the ground, or in the ocean. If they did, they would see that in one form or another, everything we toss ends up in our waterways, and then the ocean.

But we cannot see beneath the ocean’s surface, and humans are the cause of the 1 million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals and sea turtles killed each year due to entanglement in discarded fishing line and nets. Will you please help us reverse this deadly trend?

Ocean Conservancy is cleaning up trash and debris from the world’s beaches and waterways, and we’re also attacking marine debris at its sources. Your contribution today will support our efforts to identify the sources of marine debris, and change the behaviors that cause pollution.



Please send your most generous contribution to Ocean Conservancy today, and support real change, for the better, for our ocean.

For the ocean,


Vikki N. Spruill
President and CEO
Ocean Conservancy

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Protect Historical Lake Worth Public Beach





The Town of Palm Beach is at it again to dredge and fill Kreusler Park and Lake Worth Beach. The Town of Palm Beach is currently seeking a permit from the DEP and U. S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) for the Reach 8 Dredge and Fill Project (from approximately the Par 3 Golf Course in Palm Beach, to about one third mile south of the Lake Worth Pier).



The Palm Beach County Chapter needs your help to stop the project that would ultimately decimate the surfing, fishing, diving, and snorkeling at this beach.

Dont let this happen to this beach...

Please take action by send your comments to the Department of Environmental Protection and the District Legislators.

Every letter is going to count!
TO TAKE ACTION IN THIS ALERT PLEASE GO TO THE
SURFRIDER FOUNDATION ACTION ALERT HOMEPAGE


If you want become more involved in the Lake Worth Campaign please email: news@surfriderpbc.