Surfrider Success at Seas to Trees

Congressman Carbajal introduces Research Partnership Act

Volunteers came from around the county to join a beach cleanup at the end of Grand Avenue in Grover Beach. Seas to Trees Day is coordinated by ECOSLO, and Surfrider SLO’s Beach Cleanup Coordinator was the captain for the Grover Beach site where over 50 pounds of trash and recyclables were collected.

Also joining the cleanup, was Congressman Salud Carbajal who added a special announcement with introducing legislation to better measure the impacts of Ocean Acidification:

Ocean Acidification Research Partnerships Act
This bill amends the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act of 2009 to require the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to provide grants for collaborative research projects on ocean acidification developed and conducted through partnerships between the seafood industry and the academic community.

NOAA must prioritize projects which:

1. address ecosystems and communities vulnerable to the impacts of ocean acidification,
2. demonstrate support from local stakeholders, or
3. utilize seafood industry assets as research and monitoring platforms.

NOAA may make a grant to a partnership in which a marine-dependent industry is substituted for the seafood industry. Authorizes NOAA $5 million for five fiscal years.