Day 78 - Nov. 23

life guard tower 26 - Ocean Park, Santa Monica CA

trash collected for 20 minutes

estimated pounds of trash collected today - 3.12

estimated pounds of trash collected to date -
A plastic bottle is still a plastic bottle even if you buy it from Whole Foods. 365 is the label of their store brand. And a plastic water bottle left on the beach, in my opinion, is an even bigger problem. Speaking of plastic, this is from an email newsletter called SOUP from Surfrider.

BPA LINKED TO SEXUAL PROBLEMS IN MEN Speaking of male body parts... exposure to high levels of the controversial plastics chemical Bisphenol A (BPA) significantly raised the risk of sexual dysfunction, including impotence and low sex drive, among Chinese factory workers, a new study has found. here's the link to full story

I know that chasing the sea gulls on the beach is a favorite pastime for some of us, especially children. But it is my opinion that the beach belongs to them and therefor to chase them around would be like people coming into your living room and chasing you. Again, just my opinion.

Also in SOUP was the update on a story about a group of Harbor Seals that were allowed to stay on the beach in La Jolla CA. "Allowed to stay on the beach," strange that we feel like we have the authority to allow marine animals to live in their homes/habitats...

A colony of harbor seals that took over Children's Pool, a beach in La Jolla that had been willed to children, will be allowed to stay, a judge ruled Friday, possibly bringing an end to the prolonged legal tug-of-war over the cove.

In January, a new state law will take effect giving local authorities greater discretion over whether the seals may stay.

here is the link to the full story

This little cartoon cup looks like he's saying, "Heeeyyy what's a little trash on the beach gonna hurt?" Just kidding, that's a bad joke. A cute Disney cup made of wax and paper has a way better chance of degrading in the ocean, however trash is still trash.
G'day mate, clean up your freakin' beer cars will ya?! We foot the bill when the environment gets full of cans like this. Here is another story about how the Posiedan Company wants California residents to foot the bill for their costly and environmentally dangerous de-salination plant.

PUBLIC ASKED TO PAY FOR PRIVATEDESALINATION PLANT

An aerial shot of the planned location for Poseidon's Carlsbad desalination plant. Tax-payer watchdog groups are up in arms over a decision by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California to pay $350 million dollars to Poseidon Resources LLC, to construct a desalination plant in Carlsbad, CA. Poseidon would then sell the water back to the very same people whose taxes paid for the project. In addition to the public financing issues, Surfrider Foundation opposes the project on the grounds that the intake and discharge from the plant would harm the near shore ecosystem. link to full story

This is an unbelievably weird story: courtesy again of SOUP. If you want to receive their newsletter, I'll forward you a copy if you leave me a comment with an email address to send it to at the bottom of this post.

Crews of the trawler, the Diason Shinsho-maru, recently got the surprise of their life when their 10-ton fishing boat capsized while hauling nets containing dozens of huge Nomura's jellyfish (which can weigh up to 440 lbs!). According to local fishermen, the steady rise in the number of these giant jellyfish, whose powerful sting kill fish and can harm humans, has been a growing problem in recent years. link her for full story

Surfrider fights for public access to beaches. They believe it is a fundamental right as a citizen of the USA to be able to enjoy the coastal beaches that are a treasure of this country. Another success:

Texas beachgoers are celebrating last week's vote in support of Proposition 9, which mandated public access to and use of beaches bordering the seaward shore of the Gulf of Mexico. The proposition passed with a resounding 77% of the popular vote - a de facto referendum on the long running effort by Surfrider Foundation's Texas Chapters to secure public beach access.

more info here

Happy Thanksgiving: I will be out of town visiting friends in Avery Island Louisiana until Monday night. I will try to get out to LGT 26 one more time before I go. AND I will be collecting trash from Avery Island to add to the Community Count portion of this blog.

Thanks for reading The Daily Ocean!

Day 77 - Nov. 19

life guard tower 26 - Ocean Park, Santa Monica CA

trash collected for 20 minutes

estimated pounds of trash collected today - 2.2

estimated pounds of trash collected to date -
I am tired of finding these glow sticks. I've said before that I assume they may be used in night fishing practices. If anyone knows for sure, please leave a comment below this post and let me know. Thank you!
Ahhh styrofoam. It is banned in Santa Monica, yet here it is on the beach at Ocean Park with bird beak bites and scrapes. Not good. Go to Sustainable Santa Monica if you see a restaurant using styrofoam containers. You can report them to be investigated. Sound harsh? Not really, what's harsh is the negative impacts to the marine environment caused by styrofoam. Sometimes, it looks like someone sprinkled styrofoam bits all along the tide line which I find really hard to cleanup and very depressing.
MPA's - Some of you know that in Southern California we have been trying for over a year to adopt a Map to develop Marine Protected Areas. Well, there is one final push that you can become involved with if you want to see the science guidelines not be eroded any further from the frankenstein version that the Blue Ribbon Task Force has put forth.

Here is the final map.

Here is what you can do. Read below from an email that Heal the Bay sent out:

THE FINAL FISH AND GAME COMMISSION MEETING
Radisson Hotel - LAX
ABC Ballroom
6225 W. Century Blvd
Los Angeles, California
Public Comment Time: TBD

One final time, we need a huge presence of MPA supporters wearing BLUE shirts at this final hearing. Simply being in the room showing support, even if you don't speak, makes it easier for the Commission, politically, to make decisions in favor of conservation.

Please RSVP to me at (cstevenson@healthebay.org) if you would like to be kept in the loop about attending this hearing. Heal the Bay will be organizing transportation again, so please let me know if you are interested in riding a bus from Heal the Bay again.

Also, please send in one final letter of support for strong protection along the coast, especially in Los Angeles:

1. Write a brief email to the Fish and Game Commission at fgc@fgc.ca.gov using your own or some of the suggested points attached to this email. Put “MLPA” in the subject line of the email.
   
   **-OR-
   
2. Take 30 seconds and sign an electronic form letter which will be send to the Fish and Game Commission for you:http://healthebay.org/actionalerts/2009_08_15_MPAs/sendletter_finalhearing.asp
   

And as always, please feel free to contact me if you have any questions -- we're almost there!

______________________________________

Charlotte Stevenson | Staff Scientist
Heal the Bay | 1444 9th Street | Santa Monica CA 90401
Tel: 310 451 1500 | Fax: 310 496 1902 |

cstevenson@healthebay.org

This sounds strange, but would you collect straws that you use, or find and send them to me?

Anna Cummins from Algalita and Bring Your Own, along with her husband Dr. Markus Erikson are collecting them. Email me if you want to participate at thedailyocean@yahoo.com and if you are local, we can arrange for me to pick them up from you.

Yesterday they told me that they need, well....millions!! I think they are building a boat out of them, or some other think-big-crazy-scheme that will work! These two are part of the team that built the Junk Raft and sailed it to the North Pacific Trash Gyre. If you haven't heard about this incredible feat - click here.
That's a plastic bag. Yesterday I got an email about the Monteray Bay Aquarium's exhibit on plastic and the harmful effects it has on the marine environment. Looks like a great idea!

Also...Heather, the Executive Editor for this great site called Earth Promise, featured The Daily Ocean on their blog. They have created a site that lets people pledge to help the environment in some measurable, action based, manageable way that works with their lives. Check it out! And here is a link to the wonderful post Heather did on TDO, thanks so much Heather!!!

That is the color the sand was reflecting when I went out to collect yesterday around 4 p.m.. It was interesting to be out there a little earlier than usual, although I still like twilight. Who can argue with a Pacific Sunset?

Looking for something to do tonight:

ZenBunni and the Plastic Pollution Coalition

Invite you to an Evening of Art, Jewelry, Curiosities and Raw Chocolates

at Zen&Bunni's eco-friendly shop in Santa Monica.

This event is to increase the awareness of plastic pollution on our precious Mother Nature.

25% of all sales made that evening will go to the plastic pollution coalition.

The Plastic Pollution Coalition, a nonprofit organization, is a

coalition of individuals and institutions involved in the study and

remediation of plastic pollution worldwide.

http://www.plasticpollutioncoalition.org

Friday November 20th

5-9pm

ZenBunni

Curiosities&Chocolate

2307 Main St.

Santa Monica Ca 90405

Tel 310 452 9605

zenbunni.com

Day 76 - Nov. 15

life guard tower 26 - Ocean Park, Santa Monica CA

trash collected from beach for 20 min.

estimated pounds of trash collected today - .6 (WOO-HOO and on a Sunday too!!!)

estimated pounds of trash collected to date - 341.03

I am going to the hearing at Santa Monica Public Library today from 1 - 5:30 on Marine Debris, a.k.a. The Plastic Pollution Crisis! It is being held by two state assembly members to discuss solutions that the state of California can implement and explore the breadth of the problem.

Guess what!?!! IT IS A HUGE F*&^*%G PROBLEM! You don't need a meeting to know that. Ahhh, obviously I have no opinions on this issue.

The Plastic Pollution Coalition will be there.

So will Team Marine, who has a new blog and an updated website!
Bottle top, bottle top, oh blasted bottle tops, da dum dum dum. OK sorry for the lame rewrite of an oldy but goodie. Did you know that these can not be recycled? YUP! So strange to me...We have to RETHINK how we package and consume goods.
And lastly -- President Obama has decided that he will only attend the Climate Conference in Copenhagen on Dec. 15th if his, (and I am paraphrasing), presence will help make a tipping point to get to a real result.....a.k.a. political jargin?

I don't want to see President Obama in anything but the best of light, but he is under a lot of pressure...so the students of Team Marine are conducting a letter drive to ask him to attend no matter what! His presence will create a more concrete result and the USA needs to show the world that they will be involved in the process of facing the climate crisis! So what can you do?

A sample letter: takes under 60 seconds to write, more effective than email? you decide.

Dear President Obama -

Please attend the Climate Conference in Copenhagen Denmark on Dec. 15th. I think it is crucial that the United States be represented there, and that they show the world we have a renewed commitment to solve the climate crisis. Please go!

thank you --

sign your name

city you live in

and mail it to:

You can also call or write to the President:

The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Please include your e-mail address

Phone Numbers

Comments: 202-456-1111
Switchboard: 202-456-1414
FAX: 202-456-2461

or if you want to include your letter with our batch, we are trying for 1,000 letters and perhaps have at least two schools that may try to match us. that would be 3,000 letters to the president.

Hello Mr. Community Organizer, do we have your attention? I would hope so.

email your letter to: thedailyocean@yahoo.com and I will print it and include it with ours.

just because the sand closest to the water at low tide looked like a painting....

Mark Rothko or Nature?

Day 75 - Nov. 13

Kirsten, who came to the Blogger Beach Cleanup, sent me this in an email today. I wanted to pass on the information. It looks like fun!

"We are having a sustainable green celebration on Dec. 2nd - flyer above. We are raising money for GRID Alternatives - a group I'm involved with - which install solar panels into low income housing. I'm creating all the raw desserts for the event!"

I will also post information about her Dec. 3rd Raw Dessert Class at her house

with friend and Master Chef, Matt Samuelson. More info. to follow soon!

Check out Kirsten's websites kirstengum.com & experienceraw.com
life guard tower 26 - Ocean Park, Santa Monica CA

trash collected for 20 minutes

estimated pounds of trash collected today - 1

estimated pounds of trash collected to date - 340.13
Recently I met with two of the founders of the Plastic Pollution Coalition, Dianna Cohen and Lisa Boyle. I am a big fan of what they have started, and will hopefully collaborate with them in the near future.

We were talking about the problem of replacing certain items in our daily lives with responsible, non-plastic alternatives. Toothbrushes came up as a particularly plastic problem. Well, look no further than your local Trader Joe's. I know that T.J. is overflowing with products wrapped in lots of plastic, but they do have a rather cool toothbrush that I have been using for awhile.

It is called PRESERVE toothbrush, powered by yogurt cups. Used to be a yogurt container and now a tooth brush. Not only that but, if you go to their website, you can download a FREE MAILER to send them your used Preserve Toothbrush and they will recycle it. They will also recycle BRITTA filters!

Now if Carrier Pigeons could be employed to deliver our products to them, then we'd really be on to an environmentally friendly choice for our teeth.

Yes, another condom. ugh.

Okay, I mentioned the Plastic Pollution Coalition above who has one of the scientists that has done the most research on the North Pacific Trash Gyre, Charles Moore, in their organization. Charles Moore found the Trash Gyre accidently while returning on his boat from Hawaii more than 5 years ago now. My Dad alerted me to an article in this weeks New York Times about the Trash Gyre. Read it here.

Another email that arrived in my inbox today was about:

Event Date: Contact: Bob Fredenburg

November 17, 2009 (916) 319-3621

Joint Committee Hearing on Marine Debris: Its Impacts

and Strategies for Its Reduction

(SACRAMENTO)— The Assembly Committees on Environmental Safety & Toxic Materials and on Natural Resources are conducting a joint informational hearing on Marine Debris, Its Impacts, and Strategies for Its Reduction. The hearing will be held on Tuesday, November 17, at the Santa Monica Public Library.

“The state must do a better job of protecting beaches and coastal waters,” said Assemblymember Wesley Chesbro (D-Arcata), the chair of the Environmental Safety & Toxic Materials Committee. “The joint oversight hearing by two key Legislative committees will review the progress state and local agencies have made in addressing a growing epidemic of plastic trash along the coast of California.”

"Trash that washes into out waterways and bays poses a real and pressing threat to marine life. California must act to maintain our leadership role in protecting the coast and ocean," said Assemblymember Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), chair of the Natural Resources Committee.

This hearing will examine the following questions:

· What is the status of marine debris in California's ocean waters and along the coast, and what are the hazards it poses?

· What is the State's responsibility for managing, reducing and preventing marine debris and how much progress has been made to do so?

· What are the actions and responsibilities of local governments and non-governmental organizations to protect California's ocean and coast from impacts from marine debris?

WHO: Assemblymember Wesley Chesbro

Assembly Committee on Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials

Assemblymember Nancy Skinner

Assembly Committee on Natural Resource

WHAT: Joint Assembly Committee Hearing on Reducing Marine Debris

WHERE: The Santa Monica Public Library, 601 Santa Monica Boulevard,

Santa Monica, CA 90401

WHEN: Tuesday, November 17, 2009, 1 – 5 p.m