On the occasion of the last edition of Ocean Initiatives, the Surfrider chapter at Côte Basque demanded that each beach clan-up organizer kept track of the presence of media filters. The chapter has recently published on their website, a map showing the presence of media filters in Europe. We invite you to visit their website to check out the map and learn more about the different actions being carried out in this chapter.
If you find the presence of media filters, contact Francois Verdet, include the precise date, quantity, and if possible include a picture.
Emilie Chavaroche, Environmental Editor
Here is some additional in-depth information from the Côte Basque Basque chapter on there findings about the problem of media filters in Europe.
The Surfrider chapter at Côte Basque has asked each of organizers of beach cleanups during the Ocean Initiatives to report the presence of media filters (bio-carriers) in their collected waste during the month of March. They just finished analyzing the results of this survey and have mapped the findings (to view it larger, download the printable version)
On the map, the red dots indicate the presence of media filters on the coastline or the banks of rivers. The points have no quantitative value, the findings range from just a few pieces found to hundreds of them found, depending on the region.
There is a strong presence of them on the Atlantic coast of France ( because there is a focus with the majority of beach cleanings, and of the known pollution). However, year after year, the number of testimonies in the Mediterranean and growing with evidence in France, Spain, Italy, and Algeria.
Also, note their presence on the beaches of Morocco, Netherlands, the Canary Islands, and Guadeloupe.
This is a translation of an article by Francois Verdet