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(CNN) — Human activity and climate change have left about 75% of the world’s coral reefs threatened, putting the livelihoods of many countries that depend on the ocean ecosystems at risk, according to a report released this week. Local threats … Continue reading
Surfers spend a lot of time in and around the ocean and are often referred to as “guardians of the sea”. But whether you are a surfer or not, we are all sustainable guardians of the planet and we truly need to keep our oceans safe, healthy and our cherished ocean beings thriving!
Pla-stuck and Ocean Pollution
Plastic is relatively cheap to produce, versatile and above all durable to the point of near indestructibility. Unfortunately it is this durability that makes plastic completely unsuited for disposable items.
Plastic pollution as referred to in this article is the result of single-use plastics that are discarded and enter the ocean. Single-use plastic items include but are not limited to : juice containers, packaging, sandwich bags, milk jugs, disposable utensils, soda/water bottles, cold cups, straws, drink lids, and plastic bags to name a few.
Hundreds of thousands of 
sea turtles, whales and other marine mammals die every year from eating discarded plastic. Sea turtles think plastic bags are jellyfish, their primary food source. There are economical health and health issues too; disposable plastic bags for example cost up to 17 cents per bag for disposal and the material used to make many single use plastic items are made from toxic substances that leach into your drinks and food.
Why not call it marine debris? The term “marine debris” is overused, unclear, and at times ineffective. Let’s call it what it is, plastic pollution.
What about recycling? Recycling is a positive step, and recycling drives raise awareness and funds for schools and non profits, but it is not a truly sustainable solution for the long run.
Have you ever seen a recycling bin full and over flowing? Plastic bags and bottles flying and falling out of the bins easily find their way into the ocean especially on an island. The problem of single use plastic pollution is not a simple matter of more bins or sites.
Recycled plastics are land based, often washed out to sea (especially on an island) or they are expensively exported to other countries where they are land based and are often washed out to sea.
What about doing ocean clean ups? Even if all the boats in the world were somehow able, a cleanup in the ocean would not only remove plastic but also plankton, which is the base of the food chain, and is responsible for capturing half of the CO2 of our atmosphere and generating half of the oxygen we need to breathe.
And even if that were to magically happen it would only be ‘a drop in the ocean’ compared to the amount of plastic pollution that flows into the ocean every single day.
This isn’t to say that helping clean up plastic debris from your local beach or parks is not a worthwhile thing to do. By participating in beach cleanups you are helping to bring about important awareness of a serious problem.
Solutions – Doing our part in Hawaii
Ocean Girl Project surf camp in Hawaii, learning about sustainability
Sustainable-Very simply put, the responsible treatment of natural resources.
Solutions-There are literally 100’s of solutions, you can visit our web site: www.becausewesurf.com for more sustainable ideas and simple things we can do. We will be adding many more sustainable solutions on this blog, sign up on the top right to receive updates. Here are some to start with…
Never, ever, ever litter- Be respectful and leave nothing but footprints on the beach and valleys. We are on very small islands with finite resources, please don’t litter and report those that do.
Plastic bags are one of the worst and most unnecessary plastic polluters of the ocean and the easiest to replace. Carry and shop with reusable sustainable bags. A single reusable bag can eliminate hundreds to thousands of disposable bags over its lifetime. Look for reusable bags that are made out of strong sustainable material (not plastic), if the seller doesn’t know what the material is, go somewhere else, thrift stores, local health food stores, farmers markets and craft fairs are a good source or make your own. $$Bonus$$ many stores now give small discounts for bringing your own bag.
Write to colleen@oceangirlproject.com if you can’t afford a reusable bag and we will send you one -100% FREE!
Plastic bottles- Plastic bottles along with plastic bags are the most common sources of plastic pollution found on our beaches and in the ocean. In the US alone, eight out of 10 (22 billion) plastic bottles will end up in a landfill-Container Recycling Institute.
The easiest solution is to carry reusable stainless steel water bottles and flasks and drink tap water!! HELLLLOOOO PEEPS!!! It’s clean, safe and you already paid for it!! The Hawaii Board of Supply (www.hbws.org) states on their site: “The municipal water supply served to Oahu’s residents is safe to drink and use, and does not require treatment by a home filtration unit.” If you are still concerned you can easily purchase filtration systems from almost any super market, Longs, etc. Buying soda and juice containers made from glass helps also.
Cartoon used with Permission all rights reserved Steve Greenberg (greenbergart.com) is an editorial cartoonist & news artist.
Becausewesurf and Ocean Girl Project want to give a big mahalo to water woman/surfer girl Laola Lake!
Meet our official skin care expert for surf and summer 2010, Laola (bio below). She welcomes any questions about safe sunblock, skin care, or any other related topic. She is going to choose a skin care question every month that she feels deserves the most attention and reward that person with a tube of organic sunblock or some other nice skin care product.
Aloha to all my ocean ohana,
I was born and raised in Hawaii to parents who both surfed. They naturally introduced me and my three brothers to ocean sports at a very young age. I’ve spent the last several decades exposed to sun and salt water and know firsthand the ravages of what such exposure can mean to your health. Whereas we once had a thicker ozone protection( I use to be able to play in the ocean for hours without any protection) I can no longer go out into the sun for an extended length of time without sun protection without getting badly burned. My mother eventually became a facialist (esthetician as you’ll see it often referred to) and I eventually followed in her footsteps. I’ve practiced in the field for over 20 years. My clients range from professional athletes (football, boxing, sumo, volleyball etc) to movie stars, malihini and kamaaina. While most women are concerned about what the sun does to prematurely age the skin, my concern is the effect that uv can have on your dna. There is also deep concern about the damage that many sunscreens can cause. This information may seem controversial at this point in time. Remember that many years ago the surgeon general published a statement that told people not to worry about smoking being hazardous to your health. You can take the information that is available to you and make your own decision. I have found that it’s usually better to take the “better be safe than sorry” when it comes to health and wellness. The following link to the Environmental Working Group’s recently published information on 2010 sunscreen report is very informative.
I welcome any questions about safe sunblock, skin care, or other related topic please send emails to: laolalake@yahoo.com.
Every month I will choose a question that I feel deserves the most attention and reward that person with a tube of organic sunblock or some other nice skin care product.
Hope to meet you on or off the water someday.
Until then….aloha….and be safe. Laola
This morning I went for a walk down to the ocean in Waikiki.
I was headed towards Queen’s beach between the wall and Lifeguard tower 2F. It’s a good place to check out the surf conditions, look for whales and swim.
As I got closer I started seeing what looked like dozens and dozens of about 4″ long white plastic cylindrical shaped pieces floating in the ocean and washing onto the sand, the closer I got, the more I saw.
I took this picture when I got home, I wanted to document some of the literally 100′s of pieces of plastic we found. The inside reef area was covered in these plastic pieces and what looks like firework detonators, which also have plastic rings on them.
I remembered last night, Thursday 02/10/2011, we saw and heard fireworks going off near Waikiki. I am not sure who or why, and didn’t see anything in the paper about it today. Could this be firework debris?
Such a sad sight, and I couldn’t stop thinking about the birds, monk seals, whales, dolphins, and honu dying from eating them!
What kind of chemicals are on the detonator ends floating in the sea and in fireworks and do they always end up in the ocean like this?
As I started collecting these pieces, a few wonderful people joined in, everyone wondering the same thing, are these from last nights fireworks and is anyone ever responsible for cleaning up after them?
If anyone knows more, especially about the Hilton Hawaiian fireworks on Friday night, we would really appreciate more information.
This was an eye opener for me. I will sadly never watch aerial fireworks again without thinking about the plastic debris and chemicals falling into the ocean and the potentially deadly consequences for all sea creatures that are a direct result of plastic in the sea.
This four-day event provides a venue for people to express their love of whales and to enjoy art, photos, video, poetry, hula and musical performances relating to whales, along with an opportunity to learn about whales from noted whale experts, watch a whale film, take part in a whale photo safari and more!
A free multimedia presentation by three of the world’s foremost whale photographers.
Bryant Austin is the first artist to show photos of whales at life-size. These massive photos have a profound impact on all who view them. Bryant hopes to change perceptions about whales and whaling, by showing these beautiful and impactful photos to audiences around the world. His presentation will include video showing how he photographs whales and assembles the gigantic photos.
Ari Friedlaender is a research scientist at Duke University Marine Laboratory who studies marine mammals in polar regions and the impacts of climate change in their environment. Ari has made 12 trips to Antarctica and spends several months of each year at sea, studying whales. He uses photography as a tool to raise awareness about the issues facing our world’s oceans.
C. T. Ryder is a producer/director/writer in film, TV, and music, and he serves as the President of Earth Foundation. Ryder was on the team that won the Academy Award® for Best Documentary of 2009 for THE COVE, which shed light on the slaughter of dolphins in Japan.
Their presentation is free and open to all. 5:30pm to 8:00pm, Westin Maui Resort and Spa, Kaanapali. Premium seating is reserved for Pacific Whale Foundation members. Advance reservations can be made by clicking here or calling 808-249-8811, ext. 1
Hike to see whales! A morning hike led by a professional guide along the Lahaina Pali Trail, up to the ridge top where you can enjoy incredible views of whales in beautiful Ma’alaea Bay.
2011 Whale Day Celebration Saturday, February 19, 2011
Time: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Kalama Park, Kihei (scroll down for more info)
Featuring • Live Entertainment • Made in Maui Vendor Fair • Children’s Activities • Eco-Alley • Silent Auction
The Maui Whale Day Celebration
2011 marks the 31st anniversary of Maui’s largest and longest running celebration of its famous wintertime residents, the humpback whales! Whale Day is the signature event of the Maui Whale Festival. Whale Day will also be bigger than ever, with live music by some of Hawaii’s top musicians, a new “Made on Maui” vendor fair, more restaurant food booths with great food by popular Maui restaurants, expanded environmental displays, activities for kids, and lots of information about whales! Whale Day is free and open to all.
The 2011 Whale Day Celebration will take place Saturday, February 19, 2011 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Kalama Park in Kihei. Please check back here for more information to be added soon!
Becausewesurf.com together with the Ocean Girl Project have established sustainable team goals that represent our core values as surfers.
Our primary goal: To live and work simply, and purposefully towards a common good for all.
Be a living example: Giving attention, investigation and transformation to what and where we purchase, what we support, promote, what we teach, what we might sell, and to bring that awareness into what is now or will be the accumulative effects on the islands, ocean and its people.
Beliefs into action: If we can reduce or eliminate further damage to the ocean by some of our alternative choices and sharing of ideas and solutions, we know more people, more businesses will be inspired to make changes that will impact our planet, bring forth solutions and power a powerful wave of humanistic responsibility and action.
One of the ways we do this is by limiting our use of plastic, we are striving throughout every step of our sustainable surf camps to begin and stay single use plastic free.
As surfers especially, there are very practical reasons for the sustainable surf camp to be plastic free including preserving and maintaining a healthy ocean environment for all generations, preventing the often fatal consequences of plastic pollution on sea life, cutting down the use and the import of single use plastic product which reduces fuel consumption, overall economic benefit to community, and most important, eliminating the health risk of exposure to toxic plastic/petroleum chemicals.
Posted in girls surf camps, surf news, surfergirls share, sustainability
Tagged Environment, Great Pacific Garbage Patch, Hawaii, ocean, Ocean gyre, Pacific Ocean, Recycling
Today I would like talk to you about Hawaii’s beautiful tropical reef fish…
In Hawaii we have about 600 different species of tropical reef fish and 25 % of those are endemic ( found nowhere else in the world but here ). Our fish in Hawaii are very special. Have you ever wondered how our fish got here or where did they come from? Let’s start by learning more about this.
Scientists believe that most tropical marine life ( even that of the remote Caribbean ) originated near Indonesia and the Philippines. More marine species are found there than anywhere else. In the Philippines, for example you can find up to 2,000 species of tropical reef fish.
How did they get here?
The ancestors of Hawaiian tropical reef fish drifted as larvae. But only species with long-lasting larval stages made it; those with short larval stages died before they got here. Ocean currents did not move them fast enough.
Once the fish got here they had to adapt to our water temperatures and evolve some time creating a different species, therefore becoming endemic or indigenous of Hawaii.
A good example of adaptation to our environment is the millet seed butterfly fish (photo) and the saddle wrasse, two of our most abundant reef fishes.
Here are photos & information on a few other endemic Hawaiian tropical reef fish.
Moorish Idol Hawaiian name: Kihikihi.
Common at any depths alone or in small groups. Scales are minute and not visible to the naked eye . Feeds upon sponge and encrusting invertebrates. Attains 9 inches. Hawaii, Indo-Pacific, Tropical Eastern Pacific.
Yellow Longnose Butterfly Fish, Hawaiian Names: La-u wi-li-wi-li nu-ku-nu-ku ‘o-i ‘o-i, and La-u ha-u.
Long Nose Butterflies are, as their names would imply, quite interesting in shape. Their elongated snouts distinguish them from many other Butterfly fish.
The Long Nose Butterfly is often found in pairs. These fish feed on small invertebrates, plankton, fish eggs, and various other items that they find scavenging in tiny cracks or crevices in reefs. The long-nosed adaptation that gives the Long Nose Butterfly its name aids it in this search for food.
Parrot Fish, Hawaiian Name: Uhu
Parrot fish inhabit shallow, tropical seas around the world. They are easily recognized by their parrot-like beak of fused teeth, a bluntly rounded head, large scales, and brilliant colors. Like their relatives, the wrasses, parrot fishes have a single continuous dorsal fin and swim with lazy rowing motions of their pectoral (side) fins.
Some Hawaiian endemic reef fish are unusual and not seen around our main Islands but abundant in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. For example, the Yellow Bar Parrotfish and the Lined Coris are uncommon to rare, while the Hawaiian Black Grouper and the Masked Angelfish (Blue Masked Angelfish in photo below) are almost never seen in our waters.
How to protect our reef fish.
Reef fish are a very important part of a healthy reef’s eco system.
All fish have a job to do. Some eat algae which keeps the reef’s clean from algae overgrowth, some eat parasites from other fish and marine life, which helps the fish stay healthy, indeed, the ocean works in a symbiotic way… everybody helps each other.
Remember these simple things:
When you go out surfing or snorkeling please remember do not step on the reef or touch anything.
Going in the ocean for surfing, snorkeling or free diving should be a completely visual experience. When I go in a protected area or a Marine Preserve I make sure my sunscreen is chemicals free or don’t use any sunscreen at all, instead I wear a long sleeve rash guard that protects me from the sun. These areas are visited by people by the hundreds on a daily basis and the chemicals in the sunscreen are harmful to the reef and the reef fish.
Never feed the fish or any marine animal. There is plenty for them to eat and what we eat is not meant to be eaten. Things like peas and corn and bread will only harm their digestive systems.
Pick up any rubbish you see and around beaches and the reef, little by little we can all help keep the reef’s clean.
Recycle so nothing ends up in the ocean.
Other Threats to reef fish in Hawaii
Did you know, one of the biggest threats to our tropical reef fish in Hawaii is the Aquarium Trade business i.e. Mainland Pet Stores?
“Forty five percent of all tropical reef fish sold in the USA mainland and pet shops come from Hawaii.”
For decades now our tropical reef fish have been taken from our islands and sold as pets all over the world. Some fish like the Hawaiian Cleaner Wrasse (blue and yellow fish in photo)only eat parasites, this fish will die within a month after taken from Hawaii.
The photo below is sadly of more than 600 dead fish discovered January 2010 in two bags in a Dumpster near a launch ramp at Honokohau small boat harbor on Hawaii. Mechanical pumps fail, big surf makes for difficult and dangerous catch returns, live wells on boats malfunction, and pipes leak, along with many other malfunctions, which cause this type of sad loss.
Many algae eaters like the Yellow Tang (photo) are taken, therefore in some areas the algae has grown too much and it’s suffocating the reef and killing it. The Bandit Angelfish only eats sponges, they also die quickly and are quickly replaced by another… Imagine how many fish we have lost throughout the decades.
How can you make a difference? Education and information is the best we can do now. Inform all your class mates, teachers, friends and family about the troubles our Hawaiian tropical reef fish are going through, that helps a lot. Follow reef guidelines and remind others not to walk on the reef or take reef fish for aquariums. Ask questions and do research!
If you own a fish tank with Hawaiian tropical reef fish and you collected the fish yourself ( or your parents ) then you can return the fish to the same place they came from. If you bought the fish from a pet shop, please don’t buy any more and take good care of the fish you have now.
For more information on the Aquarium Fish Trade check For the fishes.org
Together we can protect our oceans and all marine life!
Thank you for doing your part,
Ocean Defenders and Ocean Girl Project Sustainable Surfers Hawaii
What You Can Do Links:
For more information on the Aquarium Fish Trade check For the fishes.org Snorkel responsibly, without damaging reefs.
Support efforts to cap carbon pollution at levels that won’t overheat the earth or turn our oceans more acidic.
What do you do to help the reef? Feel free to leave suggestions, photos and comments!
Posted in girls surf camps, Ocean Girl Project, surf lessons Hawaii, surf news, surfergirls share, sustainability, women on waves
Tagged Biology, clean water, Coral reef, Coralreef, Ecology, Environment, Hawaii, Marine biology, Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, ocean girl project, Parrotfish, recycle, Reef, Sustainable, water quality
