Laguna Beach Ocean Clean-Up Efforts Continue Across Orange County

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — The city of Laguna Beach is taking a leadership role in critical actions to protect the ocean. Its example proves to be a powerful model for other cities to follow, and time is of the essence according to local ocean steward, Rich German.

Laguna Beach is known for its pristine and dramatic coastline, varied ecosystems, cliffs, canyons and nature preserves, something German shares daily on social media for the past 12 years. German is best known for taking photos and compelling videos of dolphins and whales, bearing witness to what he calls "the gifts of the ocean."

Unfortunately, as his recent video shows that gift is being taken for granted.

"There was a plethora of garbage in the kelp forest just north of Main Beach," German says.

The below video shows him gathering plastic bags, plastic cups, mylar balloons and fishing lines, and placing them atop his paddleboard.

"I feel like I barely made a dent," he said.

“After picking up as much trash as I could, a pod of dolphins showed up," German says in his video entitled "Apology to the Ocean."

"My heart felt broken at the thought of the damage we are doing not only to their home but to their health and that of their pups who struggle to survive the microplastics alone," he said.

Not one to sit idly by, German organized a Kelp Clean-Up project for June 5. His plan is to lead a group of paddlers and kayakers into the kelp to collect as much trash as possible. German was amazed at how quickly partners rushed in to assist in this call to action.

“Within 24 hours, a coalition formed of like-minded organizations. It honors me to live in and work in a place where not only the ocean comes first but where the community thrives through volunteerism," he says. "I know our impact is greater when we join forces for a higher good.”

His call for collaboration was answered by local organizations, including Pacific Marine Mammal Rescue Center, Laguna Ocean Foundation, Laguna Bluebelt, La Vida Laguna, and Lido Paddle project.

Laguna Beach ocean-lovers must maintain our kelp beds to support the blue carbon coastal ecosystems, according to German.

"Like our rainforests, these kelp beds reduce greenhouse gases and increase oxygen through photosynthesis," he says. "With that, another partner, www.Sea-Trees.org, will be planting 50 square feet of kelp in LA county to honor the first 50 participants in Laguna’s clean-up."

The cleanup efforts advance the upcoming World Ocean Day on June 8th.

It also celebrates a new Plastic Pollution ordinance the city of Laguna is initiating, designed to curb the amount of plastic waste the city generates greatly.

Anyone with a board or kayak is invited to meet in the Kelp Forest north of Main Beach at 8 am on June 5th.

The group will provide sustainable bags. For any questions or any needs to borrow a board or kayak, please direct message Rich German on Instagram @richgermanlb.