In the city of Long Beach, the main appeal lies in the latter part of its name. Residents find solace in taking walks on the beach through the gleaming sand as the water gently crashes at their feet. So, why is there so much plastic and trash that ends up on almost all beaches in the city?
The Surfrider Foundation, a volunteer-activist environmental organization, has been focused on maintaining the world’s oceans and beaches for over 70 years. Originally founded in Malibu, Surfrider has expanded to over 90 chapters worldwide, with one located right here in Long Beach.
History of the Long Beach Surfrider Chapter
In 1996, a handful of members from the Orange County Surfrider chapter shifted southeast to focus on a prevalent issue: the Long Beach Breakwater.
The Breakwater, authorized in 1930, is a 2.5-mile wall of rocks built during World War II to protect the U.S Navy’s Pacific Fleet, while also serving as a safe anchorage for commercial traffic in the Long Beach ports…