Heal the Ocean - March 2023 E-Letter

In this E-Letter:

HTO Takes Charge in Removing Derelict Lobster Traps from the Beach
What a Way to Start the Week… a Big Beach Cleanup!
HTO Program Director Harry Rabin Honored by Montecito Fire Department

Bad Rap for Lobster Traps

**Click to Watch HTO Featured on KEYT News 3/7/2023**

The winter storms have tossed ashore numerous lobster traps, which have become entangled in rocks, buried in sand, and have created serious environmental consequences for marine life, such as the release of harmful microplastics. Additionally, these traps pose a safety hazard for beachgoers, who may accidentally step on the rusted metal.

This past weekend HTO Program Director Harry Rabin and Andrew Velikanje of Earthcomb went to work cleaning up derelict lobster traps along the Santa Barbara coast. The team was able to recover approximately 86 lobster traps from Hope Ranch Beach alone.

Lobster traps are a valuable – and necessary – part of lobster fishing. Heal the Ocean is working with the Department of Fish and Wildlife to address this problem, first by creating a protocol that would require fishermen to pull their traps before impending storms. This proactive approach helps to prevent the loss of gear, minimize environmental harm, and protect the safety of our community.

In clearing the beaches (particularly Hope Ranch) HTO brought in a MarBorg roll-off to transport the identifiable traps to a place where fisherman/women were able to reclaim their gear, which helps with financial loss as well as reduce the number of traps winding up in the Tajiguas landfill.

GPS Data showing areas where the cleanup took place
Photo/graphic by Harry Rabin

Attached Ropes on Traps Entangle Marine Life/Earthcomb Worker Next to Collected Traps

Tourists and Locals Join HTO Volunteer Beach Cleanups

**Volunteers and Tourists Joining to Clean West Beach**

On Tuesday morning this week, HTO organized multiple beach cleanups at East Beach, West Beach, Miramar Beach, and Hendry’s Beach.Despite being a small crew, the cleanup was immensely successful. A dedicated group of volunteers showed up, as well as tourists who wanted to help!

From the four beaches an impressive 1,630 pieces of debris were collected, weighing over 140 lbs., with West Beach and Hendry’s Beach leading the parade with the biggest accumulation of trash.

This event demonstrated the effectiveness of collective effort in helping our environment, and the positive, joyous impact it can have on the people doing this work. HTO will be hosting another beach cleanup in April.

HTO Program Director Harry Honored by Montecito Fire Department

**Harry goes into Action Any Time Disaster Hits**

On March 27, 2023 HTO Program Director Harry Rabin will be receiving community recognition from the Montecito Fire Department (MFD) for his help surveying the January 2023 post-storm damage to roads, homes, and debris basins using all-weather and night vision drones. Rabin's expertise in operating drones and conducting surveys of our coastal and mountainous regions significantly benefits all areas of geological and environmental work.
Rabin is once again preparing his drones for this week's predicted heavy rains and flooding along our coastal community.

Congratulations, Harry!