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Nabarralde | Nabarra Papers
Pollution
Strikes Basque Beaches
Mila Parot Zubimendi.
What local residents have known for some time has been verified
by the European Surfrider Foundation: the beaches of Lapurdi
are polluted and pose a public health risk. Surfrider, a non-profit
organization dedicated to protecting the coastal environment,
awarded the Black Flag to all the Lapurdi beaches, for the third
consecutive year, to denounce the poor environmental management
in this coastal area.
Surfrider's
Black Flag initiative emerged as a response to the Blue Flag
campaign by the Foundation for Environmental Education in Europe
(FEEE) to promote clean and safe beaches and marinas.
But
it is also very important to keep people informed of the coastal
and marine environment conditions, according to Surfrider. Therefore,
they initiated the Black Flag campaign to increase public awareness
of coastal environmental issues such as water pollution which
not only affect the plants, insects, and animals, but also harm
people.
The
methodology employed by Surfrider in monitoring beach pollution
includes interviews with surfers and weekly bacteria tests.
They also seek information from coastal specialists in the government
but Surfrider activists claim that obtaining official data is
not always possible.
Pollution
and bacteria-contamination have been found in the beaches of
Hendaia, Donibane Lohizune, Ziburu, Getaria, Bidarte, Miarritze
and Angelu in the province of Lapurdi. Surfrider activists said
that when they contacted residents in the affected areas last
year, the response was positive. "Our goal was to find out what
kind of actions they were willing to take to solve the problem.
We informed them of the appropriate tools available."
"One
of the best ways to get involved to clean up and preservation
of the ocean is to become educated on the subject, get involved,
and push for government action."
Individuals
can become involved by helping to organize activities that involve
focusing on the marine environment, reports the Canadian wildlife
federation Oceans Day, declared in 1992 at the Earth Summit
in Rio de Janeiro. Some of these activities might be beach seeps,
eco-regattas, youth projects, exhibits, concerts, research,
and conferences.
Surviving
Polluted Water
The
days immediately following a storm are often when the surf is
at its best. Unfortunately, it's also a time when sewage spills
and urban run-off pollute the local shoreline, creating the
highest risk of illness or infection.
Surfrider
suggest avoiding contacting the water for up to three days after
it rains. Public health officials concur. There are numerous
risks associated with surfing in sewage discharge, says Denise
Arthanzeta, a specialist in environmental health.
"The
number one threat is hepatitis, because you get it for life,"
says Arthanzeta. "Then there are intestinal diseases; ear and
nose viruses and bacteria; sinus and ear infections; shigella,
typhoid, cholera, E. coli and others I hate to think of."
Digestive
problems, gastroenteritis and skin disorders have been reported
among surfers and beach-goers in Lapurdi, reports Surfrider.
In addition to bacteria-contamination and floating waste, the
Surfrider foundation claims that chemical pollution has been
detected by the presence of metallic and semimetallic elements
such as lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic; pesticides; and
nitrate.
But
polluted water aren't always obvious. "You can't tell polluted
water by looking at it, says Arthanzeta. "You can have the clearest
water, and the bacteria counts can still go off the Richter
scale."
How
then, can the surfer and beach-goer minimize his or her exposure
to pollution-borne disease?
Avoid
surfing near river mouths, bay and lagoon inlets, or drainpipes
after it rains. Obey all quarantine signs. Contact the Surfrider
foundation regarding beach closures.
Additionally,
it is probably wise to wear earplugs and avoid swallowing ocean
water. Shower off with soap and water, as soon as possible after
surfing in questionable water. If an illness occur and appears
to be related to surfing, report it to your local environmental
health department. Support ecological-minded businesses and
organizations. Get involved with Surfrider and other environmental
groups working to create long-term solutions.
This
year the FEEE awarded the Blue Flag to a total of 131 municipalities
in the French state. None of Lapurdi's municiaplities were included.
On the other hand, this year Surfrider granted 91 Black Flags
in the French state.
FEEE
awards the Blue Flag every year to beaches and marinas that
meet its criteria covering "water quality, beach/marina management,
safety, services and facilities, environmental education and
information." The bateria-tests are conducted during the summer
and the FEEE uses the data to award the Blue Flag the following
year, an aspect criticized by Surfrider which calls for annual
control.
Since
1989, when the first Surfrider chapter was formed by a group
of concerned Southern California (U.S.) surfers, the Surfrider
Foundation has grown rapidly to encompass a network of impassioned
coastal activists in over 40 chapters across the U.S. and four
international affiliates including the Baiona Chapter. Now,
with over 15,000 members, Surfrider has become a strong, internationally
recognized voice for the protection of the world's oceans, waves
and coastlines through conservation, activism, research and
education.
June
1999
Mila
Parot is a law student and surfer. She lives in Miarritze.
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