PIPELINE The Journal of Surfers Against Sewage ISSUE 98 | AUTUMN/WINTER 2015 ENVIRONMENT WAVES COMMUNITY Summer Global Wave Autumn Beach of Sewage Conference Clean Series pipeline98_v2.indd 1 09/10/2015 09:09 SOUTH WEST AVON GORGE EAST WALES CROYDE GREAT YARMOUTH LLANDUDNO BUDE WALBERSWICK ABERYSTWYTH FISTRAL LLANGENNITH ISLES OF SCILLY SWANSEA BAY NORTH EAST SOUTH SCARBOROUGH SCOTLAND BOURNEMOUTH SALTBURN PORTOBELLO SOUTHAMPTON TYNEMOUTH MUSSELBURGH FELPHAM BEACH, BLYTH ABERDEEN PORTSMOUTH WESTPORT SOUTH EAST NORTH WEST NORTHERN IRELAND BRIGHTON BLACKPOOL PORTRUSH SOUTHEND-ON-SEA NEW BRIGHTON BENONE MAGILLIGAN pipeline98_v2.indd 2 09/10/2015 09:09 PIPELINE The Journal of Surfers Against Sewage Issue 98 | Autumn/Winter 2015 Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) is an environmental charity protecting the UK’s oceans, waves and beaches for all to enjoy safely and sustainably, via community action, campaigning, volunteering, conservation, education and scientiĽc research. Chief Executive’s Forward 04 Cleaner Coastal Catchments 26 The importance of taking action. Pilot aims to protect & improve water quality at Porth & Ilfracombe. Global Wave Conference 08 The enviro-surf world unites in Autumn Beach Clean Series 30 Cornwall & London. Closing the loop on marine litter. Ocean Plastics Awareness Day 16 #BreakTheBagHabit 32 Prince Charles recognizes SAS’s Bag charge comes into force at last! marine litter campaigns. Star Supporter 36 Safer Seas Service 20 SAS catches up with Emilie Devenport Over 3,000 raw sewage spills at English from Edinburgh. and Welsh beaches this summer. SAS Shop 44 Perranporth: 24 Organic Christmas shopping ideas! Sickness Case Study A case of sewage-related illness Chief Executive Head of Fundraising Cover Image Registered Charity Hugo Tagholm Peter Lewis [email protected] Jack Whitefield in England & Wales [email protected] no. 114587 Fundraising Officer Photographers Campaign Director Katy Sweeny [email protected] Jack Whitefield Trustees: Andy Cummins Karl Mackie Dr Tony Butt [email protected] Finance Manager Tom Servais Steve Challinor Sandra Taylor [email protected] Greg Martin Peter Crane Projects Manager Greg Dennis Lauren Davies Dom Ferris [email protected] Fundraising Admin Assistant Chris Kevern Alex Dick-Read Darren Pyke [email protected] Jim Gorrod Regional Reps and Volunteer Design & Art Direction Richard Gregory Coordinator Membership Manager a-sidestudio.co.uk Chris Hides Jack Middleton [email protected] Jessica North [email protected] Ben Hewitt Printed by Martin Hunt Campaign Officer SAS Shop Coordinator Freddie Brewers martinluck.co.uk Lesley Kazan Pinfield David Smith [email protected] Strickland [email protected] Alex Wade pipeline98_v2.indd 3 09/10/2015 09:09 04 PIPELINE 98 The publication of this issue of Pipeline magazine coincides with the Global Wave Conference 2015, which is being held in the UK Ğ Cornwall and London - for the Ľrst time ever. The event brings together some of the world’s most respected surfers, environmentalists, grassroots activists, campaigners and marine experts focused on the protection of waves, oceans, beaches, wildlife and surf habitats worldwide. I believe that the event provides an global impact in protecting our oceans. unprecedented platform to promote the Breaking out of our preconceived work si- eļorts of the enviro-surf community to los and territories, and opening ourselves protect priceless marine environments up to share ideas, strengthen operations, and natural surf heritage. It has been a upscale impact and learn from other sec- great honour to be at the helm of the con- tors is vital for us to build on our success- ference for the last 18 months and I hope es of the last 30 years, which has seen the that it gives all those involved – speakers, rise of the enviro-surf movement. sponsors, delegates & digital audiences The Global Wave Conference is taking – the opportunity for even more inter- place at a time when the threats to our connectedness, collaboration and success oceans and surf habitats are at the top of moving forward. political, news and public agenda. It falls The most urgent environmental is- during a key timeframe for protecting sues impacting coastlines worldwide our beaches and coastline through the today are truly without borders, from EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive, plastic pollution to climate change, so and from a wider global perspective, the it’s vital that we collaborate to have truly conference will also take place shortly pipeline98_v2.indd 4 09/10/2015 09:09 HUGO’S FORWARD 05 before the UN Climate Change Confer- mislead surfers into thinking that we’re ence, COP21, in Paris. The UN conference environmentalists. However, there is objective is to achieve a legally binding another more important part to the equa- and universal agreement on climate from tion – taking action. all the nations of the world. I hope that Surfers’ visceral connection with the Global Wave Conference will help fur- the ocean can be the catalyst for positive ther engage the world’s surfers with the change. Surfers can be the Ľrst to identify critical threat that climate change poses to pollution and humanitarian issues at lo- the coastal zones, reefs and surf habitats. cal spots or far-ľung places of the world. This year marks the 25th anniversary Surfers’ wanderlust empowers us to trek of both Surfers Against Sewage and the to communities in need of help. Surfers’ Surfrider Foundation Europe. I’m de- eyes and ears can be Ľrsthand witness- lighted that we will be celebrating this es to environmental degradation before auspicious year by presenting 3 times deskbound legislators trundle into action. world champion Tom Curren with the in- Surfers’ youthful energy can fuel grass- augural Global Wave Champion Award for roots campaigns where other would fail. his role in setting up the Surfrider Foun- Surfers can also be a much bigger voice dation Europe in 1990. where legislation is failing to protect the We’ll be presenting Tom with the GWC wild spaces and communities we love. Award in the Churchill Dining Room at I call on every surfer to play his or her the Houses of Parliament, London, where part in this mission. we’ll be hosting the Ľnal reception for Launching local campaigns; Joining the conference. The award will be pre- the local enviro-surf group; Taking part sented by Steve Double MP, the Member in a grassroots demo; Organising a com- of Parliament for Newquay & St Austell, munity beach clean; Freeing entangled an area that includes many of England’s wildlife; Attending public meetings about best surĽng beaches. He is also the beach developments; Documenting and Chairman of SAS’s All Party Parliamen- reporting pollution; Leading a local envi- tary Group, which brings together MPs ronmental group. Taking action to protect from across the UK to discuss threats to your local surf spot; Being the voice of the UK’s surĽng habitats and the best your beach. Take action. Be part of the ways to protect and promote these in- new localism. creasingly important areas. Thanks for being part of the movement! We will also be joined by one of SAS’s founders, Chris Hines MBE, who Ľrst For cleaner waves! inspired me to become an activist and a member of the organisation in 1991. Chris successfully led Surfers Against Sewage in the 1990s and today remains a Hugo Tagholm, committed SAS supporter and passionate Chief Executive OĿcer surf-environmentalist. I hope that the conference will inľu- ence more surfers globally to take action. Unfortunately, sometimes the simple Check out Hugo’s recent TEDx fact of just being in the sea regularly can presentation at www.tedxtotnes.com pipeline98_v2.indd 5 09/10/2015 09:09 Photo Alex Mustard Image as used in Hugo’s recent TedX Talk: Amphibian Activism - www.tedxtotnes.com pipeline98_v2.indd 6 09/10/2015 09:09 pipeline98_v2.indd 7 09/10/2015 09:09 Surfers Against Sewage hosts global event to call for more protection of waves, oceans, beaches and marine habitats worldwide Æ pipeline98_v2.indd 8 09/10/2015 09:10 Photo Karl Mackie pipeline98_v2.indd 9 09/10/2015 09:10 10 PIPELINE 98 Photo Tom Servias Surfers Against Sewage is thrilled to Ľcer of Surfers Against Sewage says= be hosting the Global Wave Conference “The Global Wave Conference provides an 2015, a major international event focused unprecedented platform to promote the ef- on the protection of waves, oceans, forts of the enviro-surf community to share beaches and surf habitats worldwide. strategies to better protect priceless marine The Global Wave Conference provides environments and natural surf heritage. an unprecedented platform to promote The environmental vandalism impacting the eļorts of the enviro-surf communi- waves, oceans, beaches and marine wildlife ty to protect priceless marine environ- worldwide is truly shocking. From plastic ments and natural surf heritage. pollution to raw sewage discharges, in places The event brings together some of we’re witnessing the wholesale destruction the world’s most respected surfers, en- of unique and irreplaceable habitats and vironmentalists, sustainable business coastal spaces so vital for healthy and hap- leaders, grassroots activists, campaign- py communities. I’m delighted that Surfers ers and marine experts focused on the Against Sewage is at the forefront of marine protection of waves, oceans, beaches, conservation initiatives to protect surf habi- wildlife and surf habitats worldwide. tats worldwide.” The conference will explore solutions to The conference will also welcome better protect surf habitats and the latest some of the world’s best surfers active sustainable developments from the surf in calling for better recognition and industry, including surfboard design and protection of sites of special surĽng sustainable surf tourism. interest globally. Surfers Against Sewage Hugo Tagholm, Chief Executive Of- is delighted to conĽrm that three-time pipeline98_v2.indd 10 09/10/2015 09:10 GLOBAL WAVE CONFERENCE 11 “I’m honoured to be awarded the inaugural Global Wave Champion Award for the part I played in setting up the Surfrider Foundation Europe.