Come join Save Our Shores’ monthly cleanup efforts. This month’s cleanup is at Davenport Main Beach. Check-in will be located in the parking lot directly across Highway 1 from the Davenport Bakery Bar and Grill. Individuals and small groups welcome. Cleanup materials provided.
More info at: saveourshores.org

Come join Save Our Shores’ monthly cleanup efforts. This month’s cleanup is at Twin Lakes State Beach. Check-in will be located near the bathrooms at the end of 7th Ave. Individuals and small groups are welcome. Cleanup materials provided.
More info at: saveourshores.org

The County of Santa Cruz Department of Public Works will be holding a Public Information Meeting to obtain input on the County’s proposal to adopt an ordinance regulating the use of single-use carry-out bags. Before taking further action, the County of Santa Cruz wishes to solicit comments from local retailers and other interested parties. Therefore, you are cordially invited to attend this meeting to give your input on the ordinance. If the ordinance is adopted, all retail product stores would be prohibited from handing out plastic bags and would charge a $0.10 fee on each paper carry-out bag at point of sale. The fees would remain with the retailer to offset the cost of single-use paper bags. This ordinance would affect the unincorporated area of Santa Cruz County. Please come and give your comment about this ban or come to learn more. Please contact Lauren at [email protected] for more information.

Aloha Ocean Lovers

The most important aspect that has come from this experience in the South Atlantic Gyre is “Family”. We are a part of a family that lives here on the blue water planet, a planet like no other in the universe, just as  there is no one else exactly like you. This unique hydrological system is our bio dome traveling thru the dark space. The Oceans are the womb of our planet, where all living creatures have evolved from or are nourished by. The rivers are the arteries that carry nutrients and fresh water back to the ocean. Water connects all living beings on the planet.  We all have one thing in common; we need water to live, CLEAN WATER.

The bad news is that the South Atlantic Gyre has Plastic Pollution accumulating in it. The Good News is it’s 100 percent preventable. Gyre Cleanup begins on the Islands, on the beaches and in your neighborhood. Each of us can take responsibility; simply put, if you see plastic pick it up. It’s everywhere !!! Make it a family outing or a game; make it fun, make it a priority. If we prevent more from going in, we have solved over 1/2 the problem. After all, Plastic Pollution is every-one’s concern; it is a vehicle to transport chemicals into our food chain. Even if you don’t eat from the ocean, most likely you know someone who does. The world’s population depends on the oceans for food, jobs, recreation and most importantly oxygen. Oceans produce over 70% of Earth’s Oxygen, and everyone NEEDS TO BREATHE!

Dr. Marcus Eriksen, Anna Cummins and Stiv Wilson, all of the 5 Gyres Institute, welcomed the team aboard the Sea Dragon for our 31 day expedition. It was an honor to be included on such a historical research voyage, an experience that changed my life, for the better. We where expecting to find Plastic Pollution and we did, although not in the amounts that the North Pacific has. There are reasons for the lesser density, the population of the Pacific Rim topping the list. This is the forth of five major Gyres that has gone under recent study. The 5 Gyres Institute will be researching the South Pacific Gyre in early 2011. This is the last remaining Gyre to be studied. Bottom Line, our water planet, our home is filling with our own plastic and chemical waste. We are seeing and soon will start feeling the effects of our (as a species) neglectful ways.

The vision and direction for our collective future will be decided by those who show up. Environmental Cleanup Coalition invites all those who feel drawn to creating a healthy planet to explore the possibilities with us today. Our oceans need us ! We need you, sign up on our site. Your next two opportunities to become directly involved will be to join our weekly tele-conference January 4th 10 am PST or in Santa Cruz, January 5th, call or email for details.

My deepest gratitude for all those who have supported us this past year. We launch into 2011 with 2020 vision, for seven generations to come.

Rich Sundance Owen

PS. Be sure to check our monthly calender for events and updates, new items are being added often.

12-10-10

The the weather mellowed out making our last day at sea much more pleasurable. Very picturesque—as the sun was setting on our stern—Cape Town’s Table Rock came into view over the bow. I could here Anna call out “Land Ho”. I scrambled on deck to see a vague shadow thru the haze. We had our last meal together aboard the Sea Dragon and I could feel a shift, a sense of grief coming over me as this historical voyage comes to a close. Thirty-one days at sea with twelve others, most of whom I hadn’t known before. We have gotten to know each other quite intimately. What we have experienced will change our perspectives forever. We have witnessed first hand what only a few in the world ever have. Crossing an ocean is no small feat, in search of facts about plastic pollution, even fewer have ventured out on such a journey, here in the South Atlantic Gyre, just the thirteen of us have done so.

Cape Town is a busy port. About four hours away the fog moved in and we were only able to see about fifty feet in any direction. More and more vessels showed up on our navigation screen. We could here the bellowing horns of the super tankers and cargo ships through the fog. Capt. Clive spent a lot of time checking the radar and the radio. We adjusted course more than a dozen times. It was an exciting time that had us on our toes. Coming into the harbor was magical, the fog cleared as the hazy lights now became clear. Two bridges needed to be opened up as we approached and the harbor master greeted us at our guest slip. After all lines were secure, there were hugs and congratulations all around. The celebration included a toast which carried on into the morning.

Today we handled immigrations and some other logistics. Fresh food, what a treat! A green salad and a chocolate milk shake was on the top of my list. Best of all none of us had to do the dishes.

Aloha,
Rich

12-07-10

It’s not what I read in the brochure. Crossing an ocean is not always easy and it’s not for everyone. We are making best of it, and looking forward to solid ground. Something that doesn’t require you to hold on with both hands. Normal tasks are a great effort.
This expedition is history in the making and each of us has contributed to the success of it. The information we’ve collected and the message we take out from here to the people is of great value. The change we are all a part of, those on the Sea Dragon and those who read this. There is a shift happening, with our planet and human evolution.
Aloha
Rich Sundance Owen

From the pain come the dream…
From the dream come the vision…..
From the vision come the people…
From the people come the power..
From this power come the CHANGE……..
- Peter Gabriel

12-06-10
Our last 7 trawls of this adventure are following a study done by Robert J. Morris in 1980. Morris did 9 trawls just off Cape Town looking for tar balls and plastic pellets. Dr. Marcus Eriksen and the 5 Gyres team will be comparing the results, post voyage.
The wind has shifted, it is head-on and increasing. Back to motoring and slow forward progress. This historical expedition looks like it will end as it started. Big swells are pounding us and it will continue into Cape Town. We counting down the hours until we get to port and solid ground.
aloha,
Rich

12-5-2010
The winds have picked up, we have left the heaviest part of the plastic accumulation zone, (aka the S. Atlantic Gyre). Capt. Clive was looking forward to putting the sails up. It’s been nice to not hear the engine run, but with that comes life healing over and the bumps of the increased sea swells. Spotting plastic trash is much more difficult, until we are practically on top of it  and scooping it up almost impossible. Time on deck has decreased.

We are about 500 miles from Cape Town and everyone is talking about what foods they are looking forward to. All descriptions include fresh fruit and vegetables, things we take for granted when at home. Myself, a cheese burger, a salad, fries and a chocolate shake.
aloha,
Rich

12-4-2010

We have motored out of the high pressure system formerly know as the South Atlantic Gyre. The morning was full of the usual bringing in the Manta Trawl and seeing plastic and a variety of small sea creatures. There are less plastic bits than the previous catch, but still too many, for being 800 miles from land.  We snagged a plastic crate out of the ocean around noon. As we all posed for a group photo, I said queue the dolphins and magically 20 minutes later Clive spotted a dolphin jumping, three more for everyone to see and they were gone. A hour later whales paralleling our starboard side for about 15 minutes. Overcast skies and slight drizzle off and on all day.

We are counting down the days on this ocean adventure. We are all looking forward to stepping back on solid ground. It feels bittersweet, land is coming up fast. But at the same time, this last month feels like it could go on forever. Memories that will last a life time.
aloha,
Rich

Dec 3, 2010
The plastic pollution issue inspired me to start Environmental Cleanup Coalition (ECC) over 3 1/2 years ago.
As Founder and Executive Director of ECC, I was honored and excited by the invitation from Dr. Marcus Eriksen to join the 5 Gyres team for the South Atlantic Gyre Research Expedition.
From the onset of the voyage and the first trawl I was certain I was in the right place at the right time. As an ocean lover and advocate, the health of our planet has become my purpose as well as my passion.
This is my first Gyre experience and trans-ocean crossing. I will be forever changed by what I’ve witnessed on this voyage. Participating in the scientific research has been one of the most satisfying events of my life.
For me some of the most important aspects of this adventure are: The relationships that have developed, life-long bonds. We have all come together for the same reason, we care for our oceans. Coming from different walks of life, we unite. I see these as valuable assets as we go out from here to carry the message of what we’ve found out to the world. Plastic pollution and chemicals are affecting marine life and eventually human health.
I see great hope for change in our world. As people understand what is happening to our blue water planet, the shift is happening.

Many Rivers, One Ocean
Many People, One Planet
Water, Connects Us All

Rich Sundance Owen
Environmental Cleanup Coalitio