Heal the Bay Blog

Category: Venice Beach

California Dreamin': A Plastic Bag-Free Future

07.05.2012 | Heal the Bay

A California bill that will prohibit stores from distributing single-use plastic carryout bags, passed through the State Senate’s Environmental Quality Committee with a 5-2 vote on Monday, July 2, just in time for International Plastic Bag Free Day.

The bill, AB 298, still has several steps to go through in the California legislature, which is on recess until August, but the vote is good news. (Ed. Note: AB 298 did not pass the state senate.) Look for Heal the Bay action alerts this summer as we build our efforts to support the bill, which would also require recycled paper carryout bags to be sold at supermarkets, retail pharmacies, and convenience stores throughout the state.

More than 45 municipalities, including the City and County of Los Angeles, San Francisco, Long Beach, Fairfax, San Jose, Watsonville, Solana Beach, and Santa Monica have adopted or are considering a single use bag ban. AB 298 will sew together this patchwork of ordinances, creating a uniform policy that will make it easier for both retailers and consumers.

Beyond their environmental impact, plastic bags remain a huge economic problem in California, with Californians using an estimated 12 billion single-use plastic bags every year. In 2008-2009, the L.A. County Flood Control District alone spent more than $24 million for overall litter prevention, cleanup and enforcement efforts. Single-use plastic carryout bags are disproportionately responsible for these costs as their lightweight nature makes them more likely to end up as litter on our beaches, parks and roads.

For example, while they only comprise 0.4% of the waste destined for landfill, plastic bags make up as much as 25% of the litter stream, studies show. The cleanup costs do not reflect the energy costs associated with producing single-use bags, or the negative socio-economic, public health and environmental costs associated with single-use bag litter.

Always on the vanguard, California is poised to play a critical role in becoming a true leader in eliminating plastic bag waste and preventing the proliferation of plastic pollution in our communities.

Learn more about the California plastic bag ban.

Read Less

Zola at 15: From Super Healer to Eco-Hero

06.28.2012 | Heal the Bay

About Us Long Beach / Avalon Malibu / Pacific Palisades Marina del Rey / Playa del Rey Marine Protected Areas Palos Verdes Peninsula Santa Monica South Bay Venice Beach

June 12, 2012 — Most teenagers don’t even know what a Marine Protected Area (MPA) even is. Then there’s Zola Berger-Schmitz, who at age 13 earned a prestigious Heal the Bay Super Healer award for her tireless work to help establish MPAs off the California coast.

Now 15, Zola was recently honored for her environmental achievements by Action For Nature, receiving the group’s Young Eco-Hero Award for “speaking out for her generation.”

“Zola was very involved advocating for MPAs here in Southern California,” says Sarah Sikich, Heal the Bay’s Coastal Resources Director. “She even drove up to Monterey to testify at a Fish and Game Commission hearing on her spring break and showed a video about kids supporting MPAs that she produced.”

More recently, Sarah notes, Zola helped gather student support for the L.A. City single-use plastic bag ban. “She’s been a great volunteer, and is extremely driven for such a young age.”

Action For Nature’s 2012 International Young Eco-Hero Award recognizes young people 8 to 16 years old for their accomplishments to “preserve and protect the Earth upon which all life depends.” See the full list of honorees.

You can also support Heal the Bay’s work to protect marine life: Join an MPA Watch training.

Donate now to sustain this crucial conservation program.

Read Less

4th of July: Party With Heal the Bay

06.27.2012 | Heal the Bay

Los Angeles Stormwater Malibu / Pacific Palisades Marina del Rey / Playa del Rey Santa Monica Venice Beach

It’s almost Independence Day. So it’s time to declare freedom from the tyranny of ocean pollution this 4^th of July holiday with Heal the Bay. Join our summer-long Take L.A. by Storm movement to keep our local waters clean with these ocean-friendly activities:

Kick off Independence Day with a star-spangled tribute to “Weird Science” by marching with Heal the Bay in the Santa Monica 4^th of July parade. Conjure up a costume and meet us at 8 a.m. in front of the Civic Center. RSVP with “PARADE” in the subject line.
Enjoy the breezy folk-rock tunes of Donavon Frankenreiter later that evening at the Santa Monica Pier’s free Twilight Concert series. The California native will headline the show, which will also include a performance by the Song and Dance Society, featuring Jeff Young and Dannielle DeAndrea. (Note: The beach cleanup with Donavon Frankenreiter has been canceled due to a scheduling conflict.)
Meet the 100 species of animals that live in our Santa Monica Pier Aquarium (SMPA), which is located on the beach level below the carousel. The SMPA will be open until 6 p.m. through September 3.

This summer, keep an eye out for all our Take L.A. by Storm events. Donate and take action now.

Read Less

Luring Local Fishermen to Learn About Their Catch

06.22.2012 | Heal the Bay

Venice Beach

June 20, 2012 – Local anglers reeled in the love at the third annual “Fisherman Appreciation Day” organized by the Fish Contamination Education Collaborative and its partners at Venice Beach Pier on June 16.

More than 250 anglers, families and friends enjoyed an educational day where fishermen and visitors learned about fish contamination, local ecological issues and organizations focused on fisheries and the environment. The festivities also included prizes, food and face painting for children.

Heal the Bay co-sponsored the event with Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, Montrose Settlements Restoration Program, California Department of Fish and Game, Seafood for the Future, L.A. Conservation Corps/SEA Lab, United Anglers of Southern California, Marina Del Rey Anglers, and Los Angeles Rod and Reel Club.

Since its inception, our EPA-award winning Pier Angler Outreach program has educated nearly 100,000 anglers about the health risks of eating certain fish (e.g. white croaker). Members of the bilingual Angler Outreach team span eight different piers ‑‑ Santa Monica, Venice, Hermosa, Redondo, Pier J, Rainbow Harbor, Belmont and Seal Beach‑‑ to spread their message.

Find out more en espanol.

Download a guide to eating fish caught in the bay.

–Frankie Orrala, Angler Outreach Coordinator

Read Less

Riding Waves, Breaking Barriers

06.18.2012 | Heal the Bay

Malibu / Pacific Palisades Marina del Rey / Playa del Rey Nick Gabaldón Day Santa Monica Venice Beach

“The myth that surfing is a white boy sport is absurd.” So say the filmmakers behind White Wash, a documentary focused on shattering the surfer-dude stereotype.

Using rare archival footage, interviews with historians and professional surfers such as Buttons Kaluhiokalani, director Ted Woods traces the history of black surfing from its origins in West Africa and chronicles the struggle against Jim Crow laws for freedom and equality at the beach, including in Southern California.

In the 1920s-50s, Santa Monica’s beaches were segregated, with only one beach — the “Ink Well” — designated for African Americans. Located at Bay Street and Ocean Front Walk, this beach served as the home base for pioneering African American surfer Nick Gabaldon and as a haven for black Angelenos who loved swimming and surfing.

The film will screen July 7 at the California African American Museum (CAAM) as part of an afternoon to raise awareness for water sports, water safety and environmental protection, with input from the L.A. County Lifeguard Service, Black Surfing Association, Black Surfers Collective, LA Black Underwater Explorers, and Heal the Bay.

Heal the Bay is co-sponsoring the event with CAAM, the Pan African Film Festival and the NAACP.

Program activities begin at 1 p.m. followed by the 2 p.m. White Wash screening. Post-screening discussion will follow with the film’s participants: Director Ted Woods, and Rick Blocker (Black Surfing Network), historian Alison R. Jefferson and educator Andrea Kabawasa (Black Surfing Association).

The RSVP list for this event is now closed. If you missed the CAAM event, check out the White Wash screening and panel discussion on September 16 at the Santa Monica Public Library.

Read Less

Take L.A. by Storm This Summer

06.14.2012 | Heal the Bay

About Us Long Beach / Avalon Los Angeles Stormwater Malibu / Pacific Palisades Marina del Rey / Playa del Rey Palos Verdes Peninsula Santa Monica South Bay Venice Beach

Municipal stormwater permits regulate all urban runoff discharge from separate storm sewer systems, so-called MS4s. Because stormwater is the No. 1 source of coastal pollution in California, these permits are a big deal for ensuring public health for those who recreate in our local waters. This summer, ocean lovers have a major fight on their hands in Los Angeles County.

The Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board is now considering a new municipal stormwater permit for the county, after years of delay. Board hearings over the summer will determine the fate of our local water quality for the next decade or more. We are at a fork in the road in terms of local water quality, with many cities and dischargers fighting hard to relax hard-won regulations that prevent them from dumping pollution into our waterways.

Our Regional Board can do the right thing and place strong protections (including pollution limits or TMDLs and low impact development requirements) in the permit. Or, they can make decisions that could result in dirtier water, and a higher risk of getting sick anytime you swim or surf. Heal the Bay will do everything we can to ensure that they make the right choice. We hope you will join us in the fight!

In order to spread the word on this important issue, we are kicking off an outreach campaign we call “Take L.A. by Storm.” We are going to have some great events this summer leading up to the hearing in October where the permit will be approved. We need the public there to take a stand to protect our bay and neighborhoods.

If you care about protecting the ocean and public health, we need you to make your voice heard. We need beachgoers of all stripes to sign our petition on Change.org telling the Board you want to be able safely swim at our beaches or fish in our rivers. Please help protect what you love.

Read Less

Recycling Champs Take the Hula Pie

06.12.2012 | Heal the Bay

About Us Long Beach / Avalon Malibu / Pacific Palisades Marina del Rey / Playa del Rey More Ways to Give Palos Verdes Peninsula Santa Monica South Bay Venice Beach

Filling up blue bins definitely pays off, as more than 100 Glassell Park Elementary fifth graders recently discovered, having recycled their way to the beach and a seaside lunch at Duke’s Malibu.

The students won the Chivas USA Recycling Competition by filling 75 bins with recycling material during a two-week period, beating out Castelar Elementary.

Their recycling efforts also produced more long-term benefits for Glassell Park Elementary, which is near Atwater Village. According to fifth grade teacher Mrs. Shepherd, before the recycling competition the cafeteria staff didn’t recycle items, but they are continuing their efforts to fill up blue bins even now that the contest is complete.

Heal the Bay teamed with Major League Soccer team Chivas USA, the City’s Bureau of Sanitation, and the Aquarium of the Pacific to help get kids aware and excited about recycling. The grand prize was a Heal the Bay “Lunch and Learn” field trip, with the meal sponsored by Duke’s Malibu at its restaurant on PCH.

Heal the Bay provided the buses and the staff who led the students through games and beach activities all designed to teach ocean stewardship. The fifth graders learned how cigarette butts and Styrofoam end up on the beach, how trash harms animals and how they can help keep our local waters healthy and clean.

“This is the best field trip ever!” declared one student as he shook sand from his Van’s topsider. “I didn’t even realize this was the Pacific Ocean until today.”

Lunch afterwards at Duke’s was the icing on the Hula Pie.

Heal the Bay provides beach education through our Lunch and Learn program to 500 Title 1 students per year.

Read more about our science-based education resources.

Donate now to help us support our impactful education programs.

Read Less

Calif approves new marine protected areas off north coast, finishing statewide network

06.07.2012 | Heal the Bay

Long Beach / Avalon Malibu / Pacific Palisades Marina del Rey / Playa del Rey Marine Protected Areas News Palos Verdes Peninsula Santa Monica South Bay Venice Beach

California created another group of ocean protection zones on Wednesday, putting the finishing touches on a vast network of protected areas that dot the sea from Mexico to the Oregon border.

The Fish & Game Commission voted unanimously to approve the new zones off the state’s far north coast from Point Arena in Mendocino County to the Oregon border, where fishing is restricted or banned outright in areas.

“We are poised to return California’s marine resources to the sustainable abundance we all once enjoyed,” said Richard Rogers, a commission member from Santa Barbara, choking up as he cast his vote after more than seven years of work on the project.

The vote was an outgrowth of the 1999 Marine Life Protection Act, which called for a system of marine protected areas along the coast based on scientific study and years of public input.

Read Less

A Gift to California's Coast

06.07.2012 | Heal the Bay

About Us Long Beach / Avalon Malibu / Pacific Palisades Marina del Rey / Playa del Rey Marine Protected Areas Palos Verdes Peninsula Santa Monica South Bay Venice Beach

June 7, 2012

Today’s guest blogger is Sarah Sikich, Heal the Bay’s coastal resources director

Just in time for World Oceans Day, the Fish and Game Commission in a 3-0 vote, designated new marine protected areas (MPAs) along the North Coast (CA/OR border to Alder Creek near Point Arena in Mendocino County). This is a major milestone that completes the statewide network of underwater parks in California’s coastal waters.

These new MPAs were designated under the Marine Life Protection Act, a visionary law enacted in 1999 that called for a new approach to ocean management, and enlisted local fishermen, scientists, business and tribal leaders and conservationists to plan science-based protections for their part of the state. Heal the Bay played a major role in the creation of Southern California’s MPAs by sitting on a panel of stakeholders that designed our local set of underwater parks that went into effect on January 1 of this year.

California’s network of underwater parks now includes 119 MPAs, five recreational management areas, and 15 special closures, representing about 16% of all open coast state waters. With only about half of these areas designated as no-take marine reserves, the vast majority of California’s coast is open to fishing. The new North Coast MPAs are expected to go into effect by early 2013.

As an investment to protect ocean health for future generations, MPAs safeguard key areas for marine life and their associated habitats. They will help ensure a vibrant coastal environment that delights visitors, supports local businesses, and makes local places, like Malibu Palos Verdes, and Catalina a great place to enjoy California’s coast and ocean.

With World Oceans Day just days away, Californians can be proud about the legacy we’re leaving for our kids and grandkids.

Visit the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium or join us on June 9 for the Paddleboard Race and Ocean Festival to help celebrate.

Volunteer for our MPA Watch program to help monitor these new underwater parks.

Read Less

Debris Check: What’s in the Waves?

06.06.2012 | Dana Murray

About Us Long Beach / Avalon Malibu / Pacific Palisades Marina del Rey / Playa del Rey Palos Verdes Peninsula Santa Monica South Bay Venice Beach

Today’s guest blogger is Dana Roeber Murray, a marine and coastal scientist with Heal the Bay.

A little more than a year after the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan, Heal the Bay is conducting our first tsunami debris monitoring of Los Angeles area beaches in partnership with the NOAA Marine Debris Program.

Beginning June 8, we will launch monthly monitoring efforts that will also help gather information about how trash and debris unrelated to the tsunami accumulates on our local beaches over time. Our first survey will be in Palos Verdes, and we will also survey in Malibu.

This monitoring occurs not a moment too soon, as I discovered on a recent family trip to Hawaii when I brought my daughter to one of my favorite beaches – Honokalani Black Sand Beach in Wainapanapa State Park in Maui.

I had camped at this state park a couple years ago and had remembered it being one of the most scenic and unique beaches I’d ever been to, complete with sea turtles riding in the waves. However, during this visit, I was surprised to see quite a lot of plastic debris fringing the tide line on this black sand beach. Other visitors thought they were little shells and would stoop down for a closer look, only to find bits of white and multicolored plastic lining the beach.

When I took a closer look at the plastic debris, I found Japanese writing and odd shaped plastic pieces, and determined that I was likely looking at plastic marine debris that had washed ashore all the way from Japan after the tsunami last year. In March 2011, the tsunami washed boats, buildings, appliances, plastic objects, and other items into the sea, which initially were visible by satellite as a debris field off the coast of Japan, but have since dispersed. Wind and ocean currents have scattered the items throughout the North Pacific Ocean, and some items likely sank to the seafloor.

In addition to what I witnessed first-hand on the beach in Maui, on mainland U.S. shores, there have been a few confirmed reports of tsunami related debris washing ashore in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, including a soccer ball, motorcycle, and fishing vessel. However, we have yet to see evidence of any tsunami related debris washing ashore in Southern California. NOAA and oceanographic experts believe the debris will continue to disperse by wind and ocean currents, and they are uncertain as to if or when we will see effects in Southern California, which is part of the importance of regular monitoring.

If you find anything on the beach that you think might be related to the tsunami, please contact Heal the Bay’s Policy Analyst Kathryn Benz. In addition, you can report it to report it to NOAA.

Want to know more? Read our Tsunami Debris FAQ and NOAA’s Factsheet.

Marine debris persists as a problem here in Southern California, whether it comes from overseas or from inland sources. Heal the Bay conducts regular beach cleanups throughout Los Angeles County. Please join us for a cleanup.

Read Less