Annual Report 2023
Download the 2023 financial reportWater quality
and user health.
Water quality is a key issue for the Surfrider Foundation. In 2023, it was the focus of growing interest among both volunteers and national bodies.
The Expertise and Lobby teams also worked hard to promote measures to improve bathing water quality. This increased interest has been catalysed by a growing awareness of the environmental and health issues linked to water quality, prompting Surfrider to step up its efforts and become more involved in the fight for cleaner, safer waters.
These efforts have paid off, as shown by the fact that the results and conclusions of Surfrider’s analyses are taken into account by the Office Français de la Biodiversité (OFB) and the Office central de lutte contre les atteintes à l’environnement et à la santé publique), for example, with whom the NGO collaborates on environmental investigations.
Water quality, a growing issue
Bathing water quality is a major focus for Surfrider.
This year, the topic has attracted growing interest, particularly among the organisation’s various branches, national entities and ambassadors.
The mobilisation of Surfrider Blue’s water testers and national entities (Spain, Germany and the Netherlands), for example, revealed a genuine desire to commit to this issue.
Surfrider has mobilised a multitude of networks, particularly in regions such as Brittany and Ireland, and in the Gironde and Guadeloupe departments, where many water testers have been actively involved.
In this way, the NGO has increased the number of sampling points, the results of which are used to support advocacy campaigns, improve knowledge of bathing sites and raise awareness of the different types of pollution among local authorities.
This global approach has not only strengthened Surfrider’s ability to influence public policy on bathing water quality, but has also contributed to better knowledge and protection of coastal areas. It has also enabled Surfrider to become, over time, a recognised player on the subject at national level.
DERU: the advocacy team is particularly active
The year 2023 marks the culmination of a long period of relentless lobbying on water quality issues, particularly in the context of the revision of the Urban Wastewater Directive (UWWD ).
The involvement of the advocacy team, which began in 2020 with the launch of the consultation launched by the European Commission, has enabled us to keep up the pressure on the institutions involved in the trialogue.
This active involvement was reinforced by the formation of a European coalition dedicated to the issue. Surfrider collaborated with three other major European NGOs, forming an influential alliance to work jointly on the legislative process.
The work carried out by the coalition has enabled Surfrider to increase its expertise, particularly on the issue of chemical pollutants: a crucial point insofar as the text under review includes the updating of the list of pollutants for surface and groundwater.
The strategic actions carried out by the coalition have enabled Surfrider Foundation toinfluence European decision-makers so that a proposal for a stricter and more effective text on urban wastewater treatment can be presented.
Sunscreens and their impact on the ocean under the spotlight
Surfrider Foundation has stepped up its action on the impact of sunscreens by distributing a position paper drawn up following an in-depth study into the harmful effects of these widely-used summer products.
To make the document more accessible to the general public and to address the specific concerns of users of the sea and coastline, Surfrider has adapted it into a computer graphics format.
This popular scientific approach has led to a better understanding of the issues surrounding sunscreens, making them easier to disseminate to a wider audience.
This work not only highlights the dangers of sunscreens for the marine environment, but also the responsibility of cosmetics manufacturers. It encourages them to take into account the impact of their products on aquatic environments, thereby encouraging production that is more respectful of the ocean and its biodiversity.
Surfrider’s approach is making a significant contribution to raising awareness of the importance of choosing environmentally-friendly products.
Discover the infographic : Applying sunscreen, what is the problem?
Monitoring and awareness-raising: Surfrider on the front line against Ostreopsis
Surfrider Foundation carried out 60 biological samples and analyses during the summer, spread across the South Atlantic coast (particularly the Basque country) and the Mediterranean.
In this way, the organisation actively contributed to the monitoring and surveillance of the development of the toxic algae, in collaboration with local stakeholders. It has also been involved in local governance bodies, running a complementary water monitoring network in areas where water sports are practised (surfing, snorkelling, etc.), in support of the areas monitored by the local authorities.
This work has resulted in wider coverage and increased water monitoring, which is essential for public health. In addition, our involvement with ANSES has been strengthened, leading to specific demands relating to the management of Ostreopsis at European level.
Surfrider and its local groups acted as mediators and relays between decision-makers and scientists, facilitating exchanges and the sharing of information. One of the highlights of the year was a visit to the field by a Member of the European Parliament, underlining the importance of the issue at European level.
Finally, in collaboration with the Regional Health Agencies (ARS) of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur and Pyrénées Atlantiques regions, Surfrider worked on a local scale on the façades where Ostreopsis is present. The data collected was sent to the ARS to help them make decisions and optimise management protocols in their areas, taking into account the testimonies of those affected. The work of Surfrider’s team of experts has been complemented by the creation of an educational bookletabout Ostreopsis (to be published in 2024) aimed at informing and educating the public about this environmental and health issue.
Ocean friendly garden: Raising awareness and taking action to protect water and the environment
Surfrider’s Ocean Friendly Garden (OFG) project proved to be a formidable tool for raising awareness, effectively mobilising both internal and external collaborators (particularly students and partners).
The year was particularly busy, with almost 2,500 people attending. The highlight of the Ocean Campus visits was the OFG, which served as a major educational interface, highlighting the concepts of sustainable development, soil sealing and rainwater storage and reuse.
This year, the Surfrider garden managed to recover and reuse around 700 m³ of rainwater, demonstrating the effectiveness of these environmental practices.
In addition, the installation of an educational beehive in March 2023 has enriched the project by adding a new educational and ecological dimension to the initiative.
Discover the Ocean Friendly Garden
Development of water quality monitoring in Senegal
The water quality monitoring project being carried out in Senegal in 2023 marks a significant step forward in environmental monitoring.
Launched in September, this operational, multi-year programme aims to set up a water quality monitoring network on the Dakar peninsula. It has received support from a range of partners, including embassies, local authorities and local and regional stakeholders.
An innovative part of the project has been the organisation of a group of water testers, who are committed to analysing water quality every week at seven surfing sites. This initiative has not only enabled regular monitoring, but also the direct involvement of local communities in the project.
Thanks to this monitoring work, the teams have been able to gain a better understanding of the bacteriological quality of the areas monitored, enabling them to work with managers and public decision-makers to rehabilitate the water.
At the same time, a great deal of work has gone into setting up steering and technical committees at national level, in collaboration with Surfrider’s head office in Biarritz. These efforts have been complemented by the organisation of awareness-raising sessions for schoolchildren on issues relating to water, sanitation, health and biodiversity.
