For Immediate Release: June 10, 2010 Contact: Jared Criscuolo, Below the Surface, (203) 887‐3272, jared@belowthesurface.org
Below the Surface Explores the Gold Coast Expedition Team follows work on Deepwater Horizon Spill with Statewide Preservation Paddle Out tour kicking off on June 6th San Diego, CA ‐‐‐ On June 5, surfers and activists from the non‐profit Below the Surface launched a series Preservation Paddle Outs. The purpose of this expedition is to highlight existing and proposed Marine Protected Areas at nine of California’s most iconic beach areas. The tour kicked off during Oceans Week with a June 5 event at La Jolla Shores, and will continue up the coast throughout June and July, concluding at Humboldt Bay. Below the Surface Expedition Team Leaders and co‐Founders Jared Criscuolo and Kristian Gustavson will be joined by television host, stand up paddle board ambassador, and former pro surfer Jodie Nelson, and Ecowarrior and pro surfer James Pribram to paddle on Stand Up Paddleboards. They’ll be joined by local activists for coastal paddles to show that Marine Protected Areas offer stunning surfing, swimming, diving, kayaking, and observation opportunities. “In the face of decades of decreasing fish populations, Preservation Paddle Outs is about promoting recreation and the ethos of taking ownership for protecting our most valuable coastal resources, Marine Protected Areas.” said Jared Criscuolo, co‐founder of Below the Surface. “Below the Surface has been exploring America’s waterways since our formation, and we are excited to return to California to shine a light on the world class reefs, kelp beds, and recreational opportunities we have close to home.” Environmental advocates from branches of the Waterkeepers Alliance, Heal the Bay, Surfrider, the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Ocean Conservancy will meet the Expedition Team at La Jolla Cove, Crystal Cove, Zuma, Naples Reef, Lovers Point, Mavericks, Point Reyes National Seashore, Mendocino Headlands State Park and Humboldt Bay. These areas feature existing or proposed underwater parks, established through California’s Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA). These underwater parks or “Marine Protected Areas” preserve sensitive sea life and habitats, while enhancing recreation and research opportunities. “The importance Marine Protected Areas –from both a biological and cultural perspective – can’t be overstated. In Santa Barbara, Naples Reef is one of the most biologically productive and diverse marine habitats in all of Southern California and offers Channel Islands caliber diving and snorkeling just offshore from Santa Barbara. This paddle‐out was designed to raise awareness about the once‐in‐a‐lifetime chance we have to protect local treasures like this forever,” said Michael Sheehy from Santa Barbara Channelkeeper. For more information about the Marine Life Protection Act, visit www.caloceans.org. To learn about the Paddle Outs, visit www.belowthesurface.org. Full Schedule of Preservation Paddle‐Outs: 6/6 La Jolla Shores 6/26 Mavericks 6/12 Costa Crystal Cove 6/27 Point Reyes National Seashore 6/13 Zuma 7/3 Mendocino Headlands 6/19 Naples Reef 7/4 Humboldt Bay 6/20 Lover’s Point # # #