Surfrider Foundation: Rincón, Puerto Rico

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Matt McClain, Communications Director
Surfrider Foundation
PO Box 6010
San Clemente, CA 92672-6010
Phone (949) 492-8170 / Fax (949) 492-8142
Email: mmcclain@surfrider.org

SURFRIDER FOUNDATION SEEKS LANDMARK
LEGISLATION FOR PUERTO RICO

Local Activist Coalition Urges Lawmakers
to Establish Marine Reserve in Rincón

San Juan, PR (November 6, 2002) - This week, a historic piece of legislation is being presented to Puerto Rican lawmakers by House Speaker Vizcarrundo to establish a marine reserve in Rincón. If passed, the initiative will be a step toward protecting coral reefs along the Puerto Rican coastline.

The Rincón area is renown for its abundant sea life and supports one of the last healthy populations of elkhorn coral in the Caribbean. Throughout the region the slow growing coral has succumbed to direct threats from marine and terrestrial pollutants. The species is now a candidate for the Federal Endangered Species List.

"We are working to save one of the last areas of healthy reef in Puerto Rico," said Surfrider Rincón activist Leon Richter. "Without this piece of legislation we could easily lose this unique piece of coastline forever."

Support for the initiative has been strong throughout the region, where local activists have collected over 5500 signatures in support of the campaign. Several groups have formed a coalition, La Coalición Pro Calidad de Vida en Rincón, which includes Liga Ecologica de Rincón, Liga Ecologica del Noroeste, Environmental Defense and Caribbean Action Network, GuardAguas, UPR Sea Grant, Surfer's Environmental Alliance and the Surfrider Foundation.

"The people see that this extends beyond the scope of just protecting the ocean," says Ricardo de Soto, Chair for Surfrider Foundation's San Juan, Puerto Rico Chapter. "Rincon's unique character and precious natural resources are the economic engine of our community. Protecting them will work to ensure our future economic, cultural and aesthetic well being."

For more information on the Surfrider Foundation's efforts in Rincón, Puerto Rico, go to http://www.surfrider.org/rincon

The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to the protection and preservation of our world's coastal zones. Founded in 1984 by a handful of visionary surfers, the Surfrider Foundation now maintains over 35,000 members and 60 chapters across the United States and Puerto Rico, with international affiliates in Australia, Europe, Japan and Brazil.