World Wildlife Day 2019

Life Under the Sea

  

Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel

The United Nations’ annual World Wildlife Day (March 3) is focusing on marine species for the first time.

  

This year's theme Life Below Water: for people and planet highlights the critical issues facing ocean wildlife and their value to our everyday lives.

UN Development Program Head of Biodiversity and Ecosystems Midori Paxton notes: “Over three billion people depend on marine and coastal biodiversity for their livelihoods and primary source of protein."

SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel learned that the estimated market value of marine and coastal resources and industries is $3 trillion per year. Plus, oceans help to reduce the impact of climate change – something that’s good for all of us!

To protect our ocean ecosystems for future generations, Paxton says, “a comprehensive global response is needed that scales up successful nature-based initiatives.”

Children around the world agree and are expressing this in their artwork.  

Paxton adds that currently "the capacity of life below water is severely impacted from an onslaught of threats, including climate change, marine pollution, habitat destruction, and unsustainable fishing practices."

To build awareness and commitment to protecting ocean sea life, the UN is teaming up again with the annual Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival to organize an international film showcase – this time addressing the challenges confronting marine wildlife and the ocean.

Lisa Samford, the Jackson Hole, Wyoming, film festival’s executive director, says “Our aim is to galvanize the power of media to inspire wonder, catalyze change and move the dial on the conservation of marine species and ecosystems.”

SurfWriter Girls are glad to see that this year's World Wildlife Day is bringing attention and support to the world beneath the sea. It’s ready for its closeup!

Lights, camera, action!

SurfWriter Girls

Surf’n Beach Scene Magazine

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Zack's On Board!

Is An Ocean Friendly Restaurant

A Surfrider Sponsor Story

Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel

Longtime provider of all things for the beach – from beach chair, bicycle and surfboard rentals, suntan lotion, hot dogs, burgers, snacks, and more – Zack's is on board as the Surfrider Foundation's newest Ocean Friendly Restaurant (OFR) member.

Surfrider's Huntington/Seal Beach Chapter Advisory Board Director Tony Soriano and Zack’s founder Mike Ali announced that Zack's, which has been operating by the Huntington Beach Pier for 47-years, is a certified OFR participant now and will be utilizing methods that reduce the amount of pollution in the ocean and protect sea life.

OFRs pledge to follow environmental guidelines that emphasize reducing and recycling. That means avoiding polystyrene containers, plastic bottles and plastic take-out bags. Straws and plastic utensils for take-out orders are only provided on request. OFRs follow water conservation and energy efficient practices that preserve our natural resources.

Popular with surfers, locals and tourists alike, Zack's describes itself as "Your one stop shop for beach, food and fun!" Regulars keep coming back for its breakfast burritos, hamburgers and jumbo hot dogs, corn dogs and fish and chips. And, if you've always wanted to hit the waves, you can even sign up for a surfing lesson.

Ali, who runs the family-owned business, got involved in food service from his days in the Army when he used to feed the troops. Since then his focus has been on making sure that beach-goers in the OC have everything they need to enjoy a day of sand and surf.

And on Groundhog Day (Feb. 2), when the world focuses on Pennsylvania to see if local weather guru groundhog Punxutawney Phil sees see his shadow (predicting six more weeks of winter) surfers in Huntington Beach celebrate a different way –  gathering at Zack’s for Wavehog Day.  

Zack's also has a Zack's Too at Pacific Coast Hwy and Beach Blvd. and a Zack's Salt Creek on the Beach Burger in Dana Point, CA. So, when you're cruising along PCH there's always a place to go. 

 

SurfWriter Girls

Surf’n Beach Scene Magazine

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Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to this copyrighted material. Publications wishing to reprint it may contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com Individuals and non-profit groups are welcome to post it on social media sites as long as credit is given.