There was a Surfrider Foundation Coffs Harbour Branch operating in the area in the 1990s. This coincided with the efforts to stop an ocean outfall being built upon Look-At-Me-Now Headland at Emerald Beach about 17kms north of the CBD. The efforts of the community and the Surfrider Branch were successful in protecting the headland and its waters. It was a long journey for everyone involved so in th
e aftermath of their success, the Surfrider Branch dissolved. We feel it is now time to carry forward the great efforts of the 1990s team (such as Mark Whittleton and Greg Hill). At this time we face serious issues such as marine debris and the overuse of plastics, over development along the precious coastline and a water quality issue as a result of pesticide run-off from the sudden growth in local blueberry farms. We are lucky to have close ties with the locally based National Marine Science Centre and their director Steve Smith who specialises in marine debris. We also have a number of active local groups such as Eco-Challenge 100 and Sea Shepherds Marine Debris Campaign to coordinate efforts with. One local Boardriders group have also become more active on the issue of marine debris. We therefore see our role as coordinating the activities of all of these individual groups and making looking after the ocean a responsibility of ever beach goer. There are also a few mining related issues locally that we would like to keep our eye on and be ready to mobilise if necessary. And finally, as ocean lovers, we care about iconic places such as the Great Barrier Reef (even if there is no surf there) and we therefore want to support the efforts of the local Coffs Coast Climate Action Group and help them in their Stop Adani campaign.
