Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 26, 2018
Contact: Allison Meyerhoff, Marketing & Communications Coordinator
Friends of the Ocean Gather Under the Sea in
Celebration of Clean Ocean Action's 34th Birthday
Celebration of Clean Ocean Action's 34th Birthday
Highlands, NJ - February 26th: Yesterday, February 25th, friends of the ocean, the tall and the small gathered at Bahrs Landing in Highlands NJ for an Under the Sea Family Brunch celebrating Clean Ocean Action's 34th Birthday. Parents and Grandparents enjoyed mimosas, delicious fare and the smiling faces of children who dressed as sea creatures and created crafts from upcycled materials, got their faces painted by MAST student volunteers and played with live sea creatures at the Jenkinson's Aquarium touch tank.
"Today we brought a lot of local species [Horseshoe Crabs, Sea Urchins, Starfish, and the NJ State Shell - The Knobbed Whelk] which are great for the kids to see up close and alive. We see a lot of animals along the sea shore that are no longer with us. It's great for the children to see how the animals move, relate and survive and to know that the ocean is not just a place to swim and play but that it is also the animals home," said Linelle of Jenkinson's Aquarium.
When Willow, a child dressed as a Green Leafy Sea Dragon who plans to attend Clean Ocean Action's Beach Sweeps this Spring was asked why she wants to help support a clean ocean, she responded, "I want to help because if we don't help protect it [the ocean] there may be less and less animals in the ocean."
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| Children enjoying a special interactive experience with marine life at COA's Under the Sea Brunch thanks to Jenkinson's Aquarium |
When Willow, a child dressed as a Green Leafy Sea Dragon who plans to attend Clean Ocean Action's Beach Sweeps this Spring was asked why she wants to help support a clean ocean, she responded, "I want to help because if we don't help protect it [the ocean] there may be less and less animals in the ocean."
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| Willow dressed as a Green Leafy Sea Dragon |
"My granddaughter, Finley, and I attended COA's birthday party today, the Under the Sea Family Brunch at Barhs. Once again they out did themselves! Face painting, crafts for the children, live sea creatures from Jenkinson's Aquarium, a delicious meal, & each child went home w a basket full of goodies! Thank you for creating another wonder memory for Finley & I! Happy 34th Birthday Clean Ocean Action!" said Linda Walker, a long time supporter of Clean Ocean Action.
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| Marine Debris Upcycled Mosaic Artwork by Stella Ryan |
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| Children getting their faces painted by MAST student volunteers |
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| Sea turtle puppets Louie and Stewie in their birthday hats |
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| Children enjoying the craft table at COA's Birthday Party |
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| Upcycled Under the Sea craft table |
Thirty-four years ago today, at the historic Peninsula House
in Sea Bright, NJ, Clean Ocean Action was launched. The goal was simple
and bold-- to stop the un-stoppable-- ocean dumping. Many said, the
proponents are just too rich and too powerful. The daunting task of
closing the eight dumpsites --two for sewage sludge, acid waste,
industrial waste, wood-burning, mud-dump, cellar dirt, toxic waste incineration—was
formidable. But in true “David and Goliath” fashion the spunky new group
had grit and a mission.
Unique in 1984, but seems obvious today, COA was
trailblazing by uniting a vast coalition of economic and environmental
interests. These groups included realty, commercial and
recreational fishing, tourism, commerce, boating, surfing, environmental
“fish-huggers,” civic, gardening, and community. Never before had they
worked together. To enable and empower the network was COA’s small staff
of avid professionals known as “the lean green ocean pollution fighting
machine.” Together, the feisty coalition challenged the largest polluters in
the region with campaigns based on sensible environmentally-sound
solutions. It took 15 years, but by 2000 the Jersey Shore was dumpsite
free for the first time in 100 years.
Today, so foreign and barbaric is the mere idea that many
people ask, “what’s ocean dumping?” Gone are the eight dumpsites that
made the Jersey Shore the “Ocean Dumping Capital of the World.” Cleaner
and healthier beaches and water prevail, and marine life and tourism
thrive. Indeed, the shore is now a premiere tourism destination bringing
in millions of visitors and billions of dollars. Representatives of
all political stripes proudly and vigorously defend the ocean from
harm.
In the years since ending ocean dumping, COA has continued
its watchdog role keeping the ocean free of dumpsites and industrialization,
successes include blocking seven fossil fuel ports for liquefied natural gas,
and offshore drilling proposals. COA also focuses on land based sources
of pollution and with the coalition and thousands of citizens – the small and
the tall-- bring programs to life. COA puts “hands in the sand and feet
on the beach” to stem the tide of pollution ranging from the Beach Sweeps, in
its 33rd year to Rally for the Navesink, now in its 2nd
year. People make the difference.
Margaret Mead said it best, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change
the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.”
The ocean is a gift that millions enjoy and depend upon so
she has a huge fan club. Her true blue friends include many of the
founding member groups and citizens who are still active today and many new
voices have joined the call to action. Most inspiring is the next
generation who are stepping up to challenge our harmful impacts to the ocean
including climate change, industrialization, and the plague of plastics.
Over the last 34 years we’ve have made a big splash and
water quality have vastly improved, but there is much work ahead. The
fact is, a clean ocean future is always in the hands of the next
generation. Clean Ocean Action looks forward to celebrating its 35th birthday next year with plans for another Under the Sea Family Brunch in 2019! Waves of thanks to Jenkinson's Aquarium and Bahrs Landing for helping put on such a great event!
"Bahrs Landing exists because of the beautiful Sandy Hook Gateway National Park. People come down to explore on foot, bike or blades. Clean water is essential to our business and it always has been. People come down to fish and enjoy the seafood here at Bahrs. We are here, as partners, to support Clean Ocean Action anyway we can to help protect the ocean," said Becky Cosgrove of Bahrs Landing.
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| COA's Under the Sea Family Brunch at Bahrs Landing |
"Bahrs Landing exists because of the beautiful Sandy Hook Gateway National Park. People come down to explore on foot, bike or blades. Clean water is essential to our business and it always has been. People come down to fish and enjoy the seafood here at Bahrs. We are here, as partners, to support Clean Ocean Action anyway we can to help protect the ocean," said Becky Cosgrove of Bahrs Landing.
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| Each family left with a beach pail filled with eco-friendly goodies |
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