Disappearance of waves, beach closures, sand plundering, health risks, limitation of access to spots, extreme weather events
are part of the threats that weigh on the seas and oceans, endangering the practice of board sports. Surfrider Foundation Europe launches a large mobilization to protect the oceans.
The ocean in danger, the spots threatened
Surfrider identifies three threats that endanger surf spots and their users: the effects of climate change on air and water movements, the unreasonable artificialisation of the coastline and the degradation of coastal water quality. The ocean absorbs a large portion of greenhouse gases and stores large amounts of heat. " But our overproduction of harmful gases is gradually diminishing its capacity, with many consequences to be expected: loss of efficiency in the absorption of carbon and the production of oxygen, but also changes in currents, winds, swell and wavesâeuros¦ And of course, rising waters, linked to global warming" explains the association on its blog.
Many projects modify the coastline or the marine environment: dredging, sand and aggregate extraction, port extension or wind farms. These works have an important consequence on the natural heritage and therefore on the surf spots, which could disappear.
Finally, the quality of the water is deteriorating, and is still not taken into consideration for the practitioners of nautical activities, as explained by Surfrider. Thanks to the tests carried out throughout the year, the pollution is proven and there are even "a health risk during contact with water related to contaminating agents." This can lead to disease, but more importantly, it can lead to the closure of spots in times of contamination.
Save the oceans and surf spots
All these threats can be brought to reduce the number of available spots, preventing the ever increasing number of surfing enthusiasts to indulge their passion. Surfrider launches a large petition to have more power in its negotiations with local, national and European institutions. Here are the objectives:
- "Obtain from the States an ambitious global agreement that takes into account the role of the ocean in the climate and the pollution that threatens it during the COP 21
- to encourage a real consideration of the coastal environment and its users during coastal developments by organizing a real dialogue between all the actors of the developments and all those they concern, in particular the water sports enthusiasts
- monitor and improve water quality where possible in practice areas, not just bathing areas; extend this effort year-round (instead of just during the summer) by strengthening its legal framework."
To make Surfrider the spokesperson for the surfing community, to protect the spots and the ocean, sign the petition, whose link is at the bottom of the page.
Surfrider Foundation Europe is a non-profit association (law 1901), having "for goal the defense, the safeguard, the development and the sustainable management of the ocean, the littoral, the waves and the population which enjoys it"
