 Our nation's special coastal and ocean places are biologically rich and sensitive. These special places are of critical importance to not only diverse fish and wildlife populations, but also to the people who enjoy and depend upon them. They attract thousands of surfers, divers, beachgoers and recreational fishermen annually.
Dredging and dumping, oil drilling, ocean pollution, fisheries mismanagement, large commercial vessel traffic, poorly planned coastal development and water quality problems are significantly degrading the marine habitat, reducing the diversity and abundance of marine species, and eroding our economic, cultural and recreational values.
Those of us who frequent the coast may do so for different reasons, but we all value its importance and cherish our ability to enjoy it Ð this is our coastal legacy. Growing demands on these sensitive coastal and ocean places threaten the health of our marine ecosystem and the fabric of our coastal legacy.
The Surfrider Foundation is comprised of surfers, fishermen, divers, and beachgoers - people who spend a significant amount of time on the coast and in the ocean.
Our legacy is at risk. If we do not act now, we may loose these special places forever - places where we surf, fish, dive and recreate.
The Surfrider Foundation's Special Places Campaign is working to identify and protect these special places as "marine parks" or protected areas - preserving the coastal legacy.
We need to identify our special places, those that will protect sensitive areas and those that will preserve a way of life.
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