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Heal the Bay Blog

Author: Heal the Bay

Each time we go to a supermarket or restaurant we are faced with choices about what kind of seafood to buy. Health concerns and a growing desire to eat locally and sustainably have made these decisions harder than ever. But now…you have Nick Fash on your side! Starting this month, Nick, our Aquarium’s education specialist and Key to the Sea manager, will help you make informed choices at the seafood counter and your favorite local restaurant with his monthly seafood blog. As an added bonus, you’ll score one of his delectable recipes at the end of each blog.

Salmon? What exactly does this mean when you read it on a menu? The truth is that it could be farmed, or wild, or any one of six different fishes from two different groups from opposite ends of the earth. Not so simple anymore, is it?

There are two basic types of salmon: Atlantic and Pacific. The Atlantic salmon is in the genus Salmo and originally came from the Atlantic Ocean (I say originally as they are now farmed all over the world) and Pacific salmon is in the genus Oncorhynchus, which come from the Pacific Ocean.

Salmon are born in fresh water, travel to the ocean in their adult life and return to fresh water to lay eggs. They are a keystone species, meaning they play an important role in the nutrient-starved ecosystems where they spawn. When the Pacific salmon die, the nutrients in their body that they obtained from their lives out in the ocean are released into the Arctic, beginning the explosion of life that occurs during the spring and summer months. Without these nutrients the Arctic ecosystem would be unable to function properly.

Salmon are extremely sensitive to environmental changes in the ocean as well as on land. Their populations are suffering from logging, mining, pollution and changing ocean conditions. And salmon farming is the most recent major threat. Not only are salmon farms destroying the ecosystem with all of the waste they produce, they are spreading diseases and parasites to the wild salmon as they migrate out to the ocean. So we are not only destroying one of nature’s finest food sources, replacing them with highly inferior farmed salmon, we are also risking the ruin of an entire ecosystem.

Southern California does not have open pen aquaculture (salmon farms located just offshore along the coast), but we do have other problems that impact salmon populations: Pollution, coastal development and habitat destruction adversely affect our own local fisheries. By helping to establish Marine Protected Areas throughout California, Heal the Bay is working to counteract the effects of environmental degradation on our fisheries by creating no-take zones for fish stocks to recover and thrive.

Knowing where your seafood comes from is important! Fortunately, several local seafood suppliers are committed to sourcing the sea’s bounty in a responsible and sustainable way.  Check out the selections offered at Santa Monica Seafood, Wild Local Seafood, and Community Seafood for your next seafood purchase. 


Wild Alaskan Salmon (serves 4)

Ingredients

  • 3lb Wild Alaskan Salmon filet, with skin on

Sauce

  • 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon finely grated lime zest
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • ½ teaspoon finely grated orange zest
  • 1 teaspoon fresh orange juice
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon honey

How to

  1. Preheat broiler. Line rack of broiler with foil and lightly brush with oil.
  2. Pat filet dry and check for bones by running finger along the filet. If you find any bones you can pull them out with a pair of clean pliers.
  3. Season with salt and pepper. 
  4. Broil 4-5 inches from heat for 7 minutes, cover with foil and continue to cook in the broiler for another 7-10 minutes.
  5. While the salmon is broiling, whisk together all sauce ingredients.
  6. Season with pepper to taste.

Enjoy!

Chef Nick




May 12, 2015

Dear friends,

You may have heard that the weather report is not good for the latter part of the week. We love sitting on the beach, just not during a chilly storm!

So we made the decision today to reschedule our Annual Gala, which had been set to take place Thursday night on the sand at the Jonathan Club. The party will now move to Thursday, June 4, at the same Santa Monica location.

With forecasters predicting unstable weather, wind, rain and possible lightning, it just didn’t make sense to move forward with the event this week.

The safety and comfort of our guests is foremost on our minds –- not to mention the well-being of vendors and rigging crews who may be put in harm’s way. So we appreciate your flexibility as we regroup to make sure we deliver all the fun and excitement you have come to expect from Heal the Bay’s annual beach party.

We are grateful that the Jonathan Club has allowed us to reschedule the festivities. The sunset views, fruity cocktails, and surprise entertainment will be the same, but the weather will be warmer and more enjoyable. We hope this change still allows you and your guests to celebrate 30 years with us.

If you need to alter your guest lists, or have any other questions or concerns, please call Heal the Bay at (310) 451-1500 or email us at bbb@healthebay.org.

We are here to help!

Otherwise, you’ll be receiving auction details and parking information as usual on June 1. We look forward to hosting you and your guests on June 4. 

See you in the sand…and sunshine!

 

Sincerely,

Alix Hobbs
President



Is Water Quality in the L.A. River Impacted by Metals? Supposedly not…

Peter Shellenbarger, Heal the Bay’s Water Resources Manager, weighs in on the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board’s recent changes to water quality standards for lead and copper in the Los Angeles River Watershed.

May 8, 2015 — The Los Angeles River was once the center of civilization in Los Angeles. Much has changed since then – some good, some bad. Unfortunately, water quality in the river and its many tributaries is an example of the latter. Although water quality has improved over the years, our waterways still need some serious help.

Four Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)* have been adopted to control metals, trash, nutrients and bacteria pollution in Los Angeles’ major fluvial artery. Earlier last month, the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board approved revisions to the metals Total Maximum Daily Load, ultimately allowing higher copper and lead concentrations in the watershed. Currently, according to the Board, the watershed is no longer polluted by copper and lead.

We have major concerns with this logic.

Changing a water quality standard is very serious business. Although the TMDL changes adhere to general guidelines established by the US EPA for the entire country, we believe more rigorous analyses are in order. Los Angeles County is the most populous county in the United States­, and analyses conducted here should look different than in less developed parts of the country. It is unclear if the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board agrees.

We have several concerns with the changes to the water quality standards, but they all revolve around two items: representative data collection and analyses. Data collection should be thorough and strategic, and proven over many years of sampling. Data used to base pollution limits should also be representative of the environmental conditions where metals are most harmful to aquatic life. Unfortunately, the data used to support the board’s decision had a number of identified data gaps, yet it was still used to make the conclusion that more copper is okay for aquatic life in the Los Angeles River.

Heal the Bay believes it was premature to adopt these changes. It’s hard to believe that aquatic life is no longer being impacted by metals in the Los Angeles River when little has been done to reduce metals pollution, and the justification for changing the metals TMDL relies on such limited, incomplete data. Luckily, the State Water Resources Control Board and the US EPA still need to approve the changes, so we’ll be donning our science hats and advocacy sticks in the coming months to set up meetings and submit formal comments to these agencies expressing our concerns.

We hope they agree that the Los Angeles River needs more help.

*If you don’t know what a Total Maximum Daily Load is, it’s a kind of regulatory guidance that establishes a road map for what kind and how much pollution can enter waterways without impacting their many uses.



Savvy Seafood 

Each time we go to a supermarket or restaurant we are confronted with a choice about what food items to buy.  Health concerns and a growing desire to eat local and sustainable foods have made this decision harder than ever.  Each month, Nick Fash, education specialist and Key to the Sea manager at our Santa Monica Pier Aquarium, will help you make informed choices at the seafood counter as well as at your favorite local restaurant. And try one of his delectable recipes included at the end of this blog.

________________________________________________________________________

Salmon? What exactly does this mean when you read it on a menu?  The truth is that it could be farmed, or wild, or any one of six different fishes from two different groups from opposite ends of the earth.  Not so simple anymore, is it?

There are two basic types of salmon: Atlantic and Pacific.  The Atlantic salmon is in the genus Salmo and originally came from the Atlantic Ocean (I say originally as they are now farmed all over the world) and Pacific salmon is in the genus Oncorhynchus, which come from the Pacific Ocean.

Salmon are born in fresh water, travel to the ocean in their adult life and return to the fresh water to lay eggs. They are a keystone species, meaning they play an important role in the nutrient-starved ecosystems where they spawn.  When the Pacific salmon die, the nutrients in their body that they obtained from their lives out in the ocean are released into the Arctic, beginning the explosion of life that occurs during the spring and summer months.  Without these nutrients the Arctic ecosystem would be unable to function properly.

Salmon are extremely sensitive to environmental changes in the ocean as well as on land.  Their populations are suffering from logging, mining, pollution and changing ocean conditions. And salmon farming is the most recent threat having a major impact. Not only are these salmon farms destroying the ecosystem with all of the waste they produce, they are spreading diseases and parasites to the wild salmon as they migrate out to the ocean.  So we are not only destroying one of nature’s finest food sources, replacing them with highly inferior farmed salmon, we are also at the risk of dismantling an entire ecosystem.

While here in Southern California we do not have open pen aquaculture – salmon farms set up off shore along the coast – we do have other problems that impact salmon populations, like pollution, coastal development and habitat destruction, which can impact our own fisheries.  Heal the Bay has spent the last 30 years cleaning up our waters, protecting our oceans by helping to establish Marine Protection Areas, and working to make our fisheries healthier. 

Looking to learn more about the plight of wild Pacific salmon?  Come to the screening of The Breach on May 20th at Cross Campus in Santa Monica, eat tasty treats, and hear chefs, biologists and the filmmaker discuss what we can all do to help.

Heal the Bay members will get 20 percent off the ticket price by using the code BREACH20. Tickets are available here:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-breach-screening-reception-santa-monica-tickets-16436392693 _______________________________________________________________________

Wild Alaskan Salmon  

(serves 4)

                          o  3lb Wild Alaskan Salmon fillet, with skin on

 

                    Sauce

                                      o  1 cup plain Greek yogurt

                          o  2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

                          o  1 teaspoon finely grated lime zest

                          o  1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

                          o  ½ teaspoon finely grated orange zest

                         o  1 teaspoon fresh orange juice

                          o  ¾ teaspoon salt

                        o  ¼ teaspoon honey

 

Preheat broiler.  Line rack of broiler with foil and lightly brush with oil.

Pat filet dry and check for bones by running finger along the filet.  If you find any bones you can pull them out with a pair of clean pliers.  Season with salt and pepper.  Broil 4-5 inches from heat for 7 minutes, cover with foil and continue to cook in the broiler for another 7-10 minutes.

 

While the salmon is broiling whisk together all sauce ingredients.  Season with pepper to taste

 

 

Enjoy – Nick

 



Last month’s Earth Day beach cleanup in Santa Monica was a huge success, with 1,400 volunteers picking up 320 pounds of trash. Getting all the cleanup supplies to the beach was made so much easier with the help of our new friends at Buddytruk, a  smartphone app. Thanks to Tim Kolenut for reaching out, and offering up his trucks to transport 200 buckets and other cleanup supplies to the Earth Day cleanup.

Who doesn’t like free ice cream? Ben & Jerry’s pulled up next to our Santa Monica Pier Aquarium on a recent Friday afternoon, scooping out cups of ice cream and encouraging all to sign a petition on climate change and the need for clean energy. Their solar-paneled truck wrapped with Ben & Jerry’s signature cows and a similarly adorned Tesla provided a win-win-win situation: education on climate change, attention for our amazing aquarium and delicious free ice cream.

And last but not least, thanks to Abigaile Restaurant in Hermosa Beach for hosting our Heal the Bay/Surfrider No on O thank you event. Greg Simons and his staff were most generous in accommodating our April 21 victory party.

Heal the Bay staff are preeeetty psyched about the free scoops!



Heal the Bay is synonymous with the ocean. We surf it, we swim it, we dive it, we fish it, and we work day in and day out to make it cleaner, healthier and more productive for Southern California. But the ocean is just part of the picture: Our local wetlands, endangered and often overlooked, play a critical role in L.A.’s complex water story. Heal the Bay is proud to announce the next chapter in the goal of restoring these vital ecosystems.

The Wetland Restoration principles

Heal the Bay has been steadfast in advocating for the protection and restoration of wetlands in the region. We supported the recently completed restoration project at Malibu Lagoon to improve its circulation, water quality and habitat. And now, various plans are currently being considered for the restoration of the Ballona Wetlands, a unique expanse of open space wedged between Playa del Rey and the Marina. Heal the Bay will carefully review a draft Environmental Impact Report, slated for release this winter, to determine which alternative we think will best bring back a thriving wetland ecosystem.

To aid with this decision, Heal the Bay, along with a coalition of partners from Friends of Ballona Wetlands, L.A. Waterkeeper and Surfrider Foundation, will look to the Wetland Restoration Principles—a comprehensive, scientific set of guidelines developed by coalition members over the last year. This nine-tenet protocol establishes clear, practical guidelines for wetlands restoration projects in Southern California and beyond.

Scroll down or click for a downloadable, printable PDF of the Wetland Restoration Principles.

 A brief history of wetlands in L.A.

Wetlands, as the name suggests, are areas of land partially covered by water. Their value is incalculable: They provide nursery, shelter and feeding grounds for fish and wildlife, purify water through filtration of pollutants, recycle nutrients, and act as a buffer against the impacts of climate change by storing carbon from the atmosphere and protecting us from extreme weather. Unfortunately, as a result of urbanization, the channelization of natural waterways (the L.A. River being a prime example) and the impacts of pollution and invasive species, over 95% of Southern California’s wetlands have been lost. Those few that remain, like the Ballona Wetlands, have been greatly degraded and reduced in size. Under constant threat from human activity, the need to restore our remaining wetlands is urgent and essential.

By creating the user-friendly, open-source Principles of Wetland Restoration document, we hope to make the future of these vital ecosystems a little less murky.


Wetland Restoration Principles

Want to keep tabs on wetlands restoration efforts in your neck of the woods?
Click below to join our mailing list.

Wetland Restoration Principles signup

 

 


The Wetland Restoration Principles were developed in collaboration with the following partner organizations:

         



Guess what month it is?

That’s right, April is Earth Month! Heal the Bay’s got you covered with a roster of volunteer opportunities and events happening at the beach, our Santa Monica Pier Aquarium and all around the Southland. Join us!

 

Earth Month Nothin’ But Sand Beach Cleanup

Do you like trashy beaches? Neither do we! Everyone’s invited to lend a hand (or two) this Saturday to join our amazing group of volunteers helping keep our beaches clean. Participants earn free admission to our Aquarium that afternoon.

When: Saturday, April 18th, 10am-12pm
Where: Santa Monica Beach at the end of Ocean Park Blvd, 2600 Barnard Way, Santa Monica

 

Earth Day Celebration at Santa Monica Pier Aquarium

After participating in the beach cleanup, mosey on up to our Aquarium under the Pier–you’ve earned free admission for the day! Featuring hands-on activities, demonstrations and an all-new exhibit, it’s a great way for the whole family to conclude their morning of volunteering.

When: Saturday, April 18th, 11am–5pm
Where: Santa Monica Pier Aquarium, 1600 Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica (under the Pier carousel)


Communicating Climate Change: Professional Development Workshop

Where do you fit into the climate change conversation? The USC-Sea Grant and Heal the Bay will be hosting the Department of Water Resources (DWR) Climate Change Team for this educational event at the University of Southern California. Come learn about Project WET and see what’s being done to address the effects of climate change on California’s water supply.

When: Saturday, April 25th 8:30am-4:30pm
Where: USC, 3616 Trousdale Pkwy, Alan Hancock Building AHF 252, Los Angeles CA 90089

 

Other volunteer opportunities throughout L.A.

Heal the Bay is invited to many community events throughout the greater Los Angeles areas that allow us to reach hundreds of coastal and inland community members. With the help of amazing volunteers like you, we are able to spread our message all throughout the county.
Click here for a calendar listing of outreach events

What else can you do?

5 Earth Month Tips for Greener Living 

  • Go meatless at least one day a week. Did you know that nearly half of the average Californian’s water footprint comes from eating meat and dairy products? It takes 7.7 cubic meters of water to produce one pound of beef–that’s like 77 baths!
  • Use water-saving appliances at home. Don’t waste water while you lather in the shower! Families using appliances like a showerhead with a WaterSense label could save as much as 2,900 gallons a year. Angelenos: There could be rebates in it for you…
  • Test your toilet! Add some dye or food coloring to your toilet tank so you can see leaks and potentially save wasted gallons (and dollars) on your next water bill. 
  • Get a reusable water bottle. Americans use an average of 50 billion plastic bottles a year, most of which end up in landfills or littering our environment. You can significantly cut down on your plastic waste and save money on bottled water by purchasing a refillable drinking bottle for about $10.  
  • Become a Heal the Bay monthly member. Celebrate the 30th birthday of Southern California’s most effective by becoming a member this Earth Month. We welcome contributions of any size!


Gov. Brown took a bold and necessary action to restrict California’s water use, writes Heal the Bay vp Sarah Sikich. But there’s much more to be done.

April 2, 2015 —

– See more at: https://healthebay.org/blogs-news/scoring-gov-browns-urgent-drought-directive#sthash.dJaX6i7D.dpuf

Gov. Brown took a bold and necessary action to restrict California’s water use, writes Heal the Bay vp Sarah Sikich. But there’s much more to be done.

April 2, 2015 —

– See more at: https://healthebay.org/blogs-news/scoring-gov-browns-urgent-drought-directive#sthash.dJaX6i7D.dpuf

Heal the Bay VP Sarah Sikich reports from Sacramento on a tremendous victory for the health of California’s waterways. Read on for details about the state’s brand-new Trash Policy, for which Heal the Bay has been advocating for years.

April 8, 2015 – The State Water Resources Control Board made history this week by unanimously adopting the first statewide Trash Policy in the nation. This groundbreaking legislation will prohibit the dumping of trash into state waters, protecting thousands of miles of California’s waterways and coastline. The policy is based largely on pollution limits Heal the Bay helped advance for the Los Angeles River and Ballona Creek over a decade ago, which have kept millions of pounds of trash from entering our local waters. Along with the many other local actions taken throughout the state to prevent the scourge of plastic pollution, this policy is a huge step forward in the campaign for a cleaner, bluer California.

Why was pursuing this policy a priority for Heal the Bay? For three primary reasons: Litter blights our communities, threatens aquatic life and is staggeringly expensive for cities and counties to clean up. A USEPA report estimates that West Coast communities spend over $520 million each year to clean up and prevent trash from reaching our waterways. A new study published in February 2015 estimated that in 2010 alone between 4-12 million metric tons of plastic washed into the world’s oceans–enough to cover every foot of coastline worldwide. This amount of plastic is predicted to increase tenfold by 2025.

Where is all this trash coming from? It’s estimated that up to 80% of the garbage polluting our oceans comes from inland. California’s new Trash Policy will require municipalities to tackle this problem in one of two ways: Either by installing trash capture devices throughout the stormdrain system or by implementing other trash elimination programs or projects (e.g., banning foam food containers, street sweeping or litter prevention education). Municipalities that opt for the latter approach will need to monitor their efforts to demonstrate the necessary trash reductions, and local governments have a maximum of 10 years to comply with the policy.

Although some local government officials complained about these new regulations, the policy enjoyed strong business and environmental support. Heal the Bay will continue to help cities and counties across California comply with the policy by encouraging source control options for the pollutants most prevalent in the litter stream, like polystyrene foam food containers, bottle caps and cigarette butts. We will also help local governments find creative ways to fund stormwater pollution prevention projects that address trash and other pollution issues, like bacteria and metals pollution.

Heal the Bay has been working with the State Water Board on this landmark Trash Policy for over five years, including serving on its public advisory committee. We’ve worked in close partnership with California Coastkeeper Alliance, Seventh Generation Advisors, Clean Water Action, NRDC, Algalita Marine Research Foundation and others to bring this policy to Sacramento. We’re incredibly grateful to State Water Board Chair Felicia Marcus, Vice Chair Fran Spivy-Weber and Board Members Tam Doduc, Steven Moore, and Doreen D’Adamo for their leadership on this issue. And a special thanks to Heal the Bay members and supporters who’ve signed countless petitions and sent letters and emails to state officials urging the adoption of this policy. Local activism works!



How else could $1.37/day last forever?

  1. Heal the Bay protects our ocean. This party protects Heal the Bay. 
  2. The dance floor is made of sand, so if you fall, no bruises.
  3. There is a red carpet. Except it’s blue. Like the ocean. So you can basically walk on water.
  4. Proceeds help us improve water quality, care for animals at our Aquarium and educate thousands of kids each year.
  5. We helped defeat Big Oil in Hermosa Beach in March. So yeah, we’re as ready to party as you are.
  6. There are things that will happen, wild and crazy things, but we can’t tell you what they are.
  7. The bar is of the open variety. (Insert “drink like a fish” joke here.)
  8. You can have a conversation with a Veep one moment and a King the next.
  9. It’s not a stuffy ballroom at the Century Plaza or Beverly Hilton!
  10. Front row seats to a Santa Monica sunset.
  11. Over 100 fabulous items on the auction block, including a new Prius.
  12. There’s a drought. Drink Golden Road beer.
  13. Shorts on the bottom and tux on the top? No problem!
  14. You might open a new account over apps, or close a big deal over dinner.
  15. Thursday is the new Friday.
  16. Mmmmmmm…fruity cocktails!
  17. Get lost in the crowd and steal a very cool silent auction item from your friend at the last minute.
  18. There WILL be tequila this year.
  19. There WILL be a life-size whale this year.
  20. A $500 ticket works out to $1.37 a day. Small price to pay for a non-toxic Bay.
  21. You might bump into an elected official and tell her/him what you really think.
  22. Zamboni ride at the Staples Center, anyone?
  23. Green light to gawk at some Beautiful People who actually understand and care about the ocean.
  24. The auctioneer is even better than that Micro Machines guy.
  25. Hotpoint, our favorite new media startup, will be distracting everyone from the sunset with their amazing video booth.
  26. You could win a date with a Victoria’s Secret model. For real.
  27. No rubber chicken. Promise.
  28. Network in the sand, Silicon Beach-style.
  29. The event sells out every year, so don’t dilly-dally.
  30. Mmmmmmm…more fruity cocktails!



Summer’s in full swing and the kids are voicing that all too familiar mantra: “what can I do? I’m bored!” Parents, don’t panic; we’ve got this one. Sign your kids up to enjoy some summer fun at our Santa Monica Pier Aquarium’s Science Adventures Camp.

Weeklong sessions provide kindergarten through fifth graders with fun-filled days with the fishes – and eels, sea horses and jellies – plus too many other species local to the Santa Monica Bay to name. Campers enjoy exclusive time in the Aquarium, plenty of interaction with live animals, and a week’s worth of games, crafts and laboratory practices. A different marine-themed topic is explored each day.

Whether they’re in it for the science, the animals or the beach culture, this camp is a fun, educational experience for all. It’s just enough science for a summer day! Sign up early to guarantee a spot in this popular program.