Coastal Blog — Ocean Ecosystems
April 29 2013
Say No to Atlantic Seismic: Sign the White House Petition!
Actor and ocean advocate Ted Danson has launched a White House Petition asking President Obama to cancel planned seismic airgun testing for oil and gas in the Atlantic Ocean. The goal: to collect 100,000 signatures by May 15 to compel the President to provide an official response on the issue.
April 28 2013
Congress Gets Poor Marks on Offshore Drilling Safety
A new report by Oil Spill Commission Action gives Congress a "D+" for its failure to improve the safety and environmental oversight of offshore drilling.
April 27 2013
Blue Vision Summit: May 13-15
Registration is open for the Blue Vision Summit in Washington DC on May 13-15. Join ocean activists from around the country as we make our voice heard in the nation's capitol!
April 16 2013
White House Releases Final Ocean Plan
The Obama Administration has released its final National Ocean Policy action plan, outlining more than 50 actions the U.S. will take to protect our nation’s oceans, coasts, and Great Lakes.
April 08 2013
California’s Landmark Law Under Attack
Beach Access Blue Water Task Force Coastal Preservation Know Your H20 Ocean Ecosystems Water Quality
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) is one of California’s most important laws—not only because it helps protect our environment and “quality of life”, but CEQA also promotes democratic participation in the decision-making process—giving citizens a say in what happens in their local communities. Unfortunately over the past few years,…
April 07 2013
Hands Across the Sand: May 18th!
Do you want to see our coasts protected from offshore drilling? Then sign up to participate in Hands Across the Sand on May 18, 2013!
March 10 2013
Senator Vitter Wants To Drill Off Your Coast
Senator David Vitter has introduced legislation to expand oil and gas drilling off every U.S. coastline.
February 12 2013
Surfing & MPAs: Putting the Stoke in Conservation
Ocean Ecosystems Marine Protected Areas Surf Protection Surfing Reserves
Millions of Americans go surfing in marine protected areas (MPAs) every year. MPAs help protect some of the best surfing spots in the country and often enjoy a reciprocal relationship with the surfing community.
January 31 2013
Federal Leaders Voice Opposition to Seismic Testing in the Atlantic Ocean
Eight Senators and twenty-seven House members have sent letters to President Obama asking him to cancel plans for seismic testing in the Atlantic Ocean. Seismic airgun testing would cause devastating impacts to wildlife and bring the Atlantic coast closer to the risky practice of offshore oil drilling.
January 24 2013
Oregon’s Territorial Sea Plan Approved
Ocean Ecosystems Ocean Energy Surf Protection
After five years of stakeholder engagement, Oregon's Land Conservation and Development Commission adopted amendments for Oregon's Territorial Sea Plan that provides suitable locations for siting renewable ocean energy, and protects important habitats and existing uses like ocean recreation.
January 18 2013
Can California’s Marine Protected Areas protect surfing?
Ocean Ecosystems Marine Protected Areas Surf Protection
California recently established the largest network of marine protection in the continental United States. One of the outstanding questions during the MPA designation process was, will these marine protected areas benefit surfing in any way? Answers are starting to come in...
December 23 2012
Expansion Proposed for Marine Sanctuaries off Northern California
Ocean Ecosystems Marine Protected Areas
The Obama Administration is planning to expand the Gulf of Farollones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries to protect the northern California coast from offshore drilling. Public comments on the proposal will be accepted by NOAA until March 1, 2013
December 20 2012
California’s Marine Protected Areas in Full Swing
Ocean Ecosystems Marine Protected Areas
Have you ever heard the saying, “so goes California so goes the Nation”? Well, ocean advocates across the nation are hoping these words ring true when it comes to protecting important ocean resources. The State of California now officially owns a complete network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). These MPAs…
December 06 2012
Tell the Feds to Cancel Seismic Surveys in the Atlantic!
The Department of Interior is deciding whether to conduct seismic surveys in the Mid- and South Atlantic to map oil and gas resources. These surveys would cause devastating impacts to marine life and set the stage for new offshore drilling. Please sign the petition to ask the Department to cancel…
November 08 2012
National Ocean Policy in the Ocean & Coastal Law Journal
The National Ocean Policy strives to be the one unifying law to govern the resources of our oceans and Great Lakes in the United States. Enacted by an Executive Order of President Barack Obama in 2010, the implementation plan for the NOP is expected to be out any day now.…
October 29 2012
Surfrider Dives into Ocean Planning on the East Coast
Ocean Ecosystems Marine Spatial Planning
The Surfrider Foundation is hiring staff in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions to support our participation in regional ocean planning. Surfrider's goal in ocean planning is to protect special places and ensure that future development minimizes impacts to the environment and recreational uses.
September 07 2012
Offshore Drilling: Obama Vs. Romney
With the Presidential election just around the corner, let’s take a look at the respective positions of President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney on offshore drilling. What would each candidate’s Presidency mean for oil and gas development off our nation’s coasts?
August 17 2012
Surfrider Joins Congressman Waxman to Release Report on Congress’s Coastal Voting Record
Know Your H20 Wastewater Ocean Ecosystems Water Quality
Congressman Waxman is one of the most influential members of congress and has rightly earned his reputation as being a mover and shaker. He likes to investigate and uncover issues (just Google his name). So when Surfrider was invited to participate in a press conference with the Congressman to release…
August 17 2012
The Ocean Health Index
Can the health of our global ocean be summed up in one number? How can we begin to prioritize both the threats our oceans face and the necessary remedial measures? Founded by Conservation International, the National Geographic Society, and The New England Aquarium, the Ocean Health Index is an innovative…
August 06 2012
Surfrider Activists Join Hands to Say No to Offshore Drilling
Thousands of participants, including hundreds of Surfrider Foundation activists, turned out on August 4th for over 200 Hands Across the Sand events held across the country and around the world.
