Faced with the colossal concession to dredge sand and siliceous marine gravel granted by ministerial decree in March 2005, Surfrider has continuously monitored the situation and used its public image to support “The People of the Dundes” in their opposition to the project. At stake is the annual extraction of 600 000 tonnes of sand over a minimum period of 30 years, and all this 3 nautical miles from the Breton coastline, along the shores of Morbihan! Since then we have been monitoring multiple risks: unusually high erosion of the dunes, increased mixing of sediments with the water and zones endangered by the displacement of toxic sediments.  Faced with this operation, Surfrider has joined with local opposition and continues to report on their campaign activities via our web site and our newsletter “Planète Surf Initiative” (PSI). Alongside this we were part of the enormously successful mass demonstration in March 2007, organised by The People of the Dunes and other individuals, when 12 000 people gathered on the beach at Erdeven.

In July 2009, the Prefect of Morbihan officially informed the companies Lafarge and “Italcementi” the refusal of the state concerning the extraction of sand and gravel in the area of “Etel”. The reason for the refusal is the presence of ammunition in this area.

Although the reason given is a pretext for not to admitting the victory of the associations who have fought on this issue, we consider the result:

Stopping massive sand extraction offshore Morbihan.

This is a great victory for the collective "The people of the dunes" and Surfrider Foundation.