COA's 25th Anniversary Year: 2009
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February 2009 marked the 25th Anniversary of Clean Ocean Action (COA). As a coalition of 125 organizations, COA has a long history of defending the ocean, launching several successful grassroots campaigns that have led to the closures of all eight ocean dumpsites off the New Jersey and New York coasts, and increased ocean protection in this region. See below for a special message from COA's Executive Director.
Help Celebrate 25 Years!
- Share your connection with the ocean! Submit your favorite Clean Ocean Action story or New Jersey/New York shore experience (with or without a photo) as part of the year-long celebration (complete online form below).
- You may make a donation in honor of our anniversary here.
SHARE YOUR CONNECTION TO THE OCEAN!
Did you attend the first Clean Ocean Action Beach Sweeps? Or all?
Did you or do you still own a “Slick the Cat” COA t-shirt?
Did you “March for the Shore?”
Submit your COA memories and memorabilia or connections with the shore in New Jersey and New York for inclusion in the
25th Year Celebration. Email photos to accompany your story to events@cleanoceanaction.org.
A MESSAGE FROM COA'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
It’s hard to believe...but, welcome to 2009 as Clean Ocean Action (COA) celebrates our 25th Anniversary of Ocean Advocacy! We invite all to join-in for a year of renewed action to create a new wave of ocean protection.
Although it can be rather foul, it’s good to reflect on how things have changed over these years. Looking back to 1984, the Jersey Shore was not a beachy place. With eight offshore ocean dumpsites for sewage sludge, acid waste, industrial waste, creosote wood-burning, toxic muck, cellar dirt, toxic waste incineration, and concentrated sewage waste, the Jersey Shore was known as the “Ocean Dumping Capitol of the World.” Onshore, water quality deteriorated due to billions of gallons of raw sewage and industrial wastes. Illegal dumping was rampant. By the late 1980s and 90s the ocean had enough and began spewing raw sewage, medical waste, and garbage onto beaches. A record 850 beach closures occurred in just one summer. Certain fish, such as striped bass and blue fish, were too polluted to eat and crabbing and clamming in certain regions were prohibited.
Today, the Jersey Shore is pretty beachy, and an economic engine that supports the entire state. The ocean is dumpsite free, cleaner, and healthier. Fishing and clamming have improved. Beach closures due to pollution are occasional, and major garbage wash-ups are few. Though it isn’t perfect and challenges remain, it is a joy again to go to the beach.
How did this transformation happen? The answer is crystal clear—people power. COA -- a lean, green, ocean pollution fighting machine -- was formed as a coalition of organizations, citizens, and businesses on a mission to stop ocean pollution. Together we formed an invincible force to implement environmentally sound solutions to eliminate or reduce pollution sources. We, the people, attended countless meetings, rallies, press conferences, hearings, and events. We researched solutions, collected petitions, wrote letters, held beach cleanups, and educated and involved citizens of all ages. We marched, testified, and went to Washington, D.C., New York, and Trenton. Over time, the people led the leaders to end ocean dumping and industrial discharges and reduce many sources of pollution. It wasn’t easy; these were some tough hombres. But sensible policies and the power of the people prevailed. You are this mighty, feisty band of citizens -- the ocean defenders. Congratulations on a generation of remarkable, meaningful, and world-improving action!
While the ocean faces some serious challenges, you have the power to stop the backward plunge of ocean industrialization and convince our elected officials to pass legislation making the waters off the Jersey Shore and New York’s South Shore the nation’s first Clean Ocean Zone—where only the green and clean are legal and marine life thrives.
Join in the celebration of the 25th! Tell us your COA story—good, bad, or ugly. Be Green to Save Big Blue!
Ever onward,
Cindy Zipf, Executive Director
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