Heal the Ocean

Heal the Ocean is Hiring an Executive Director.

We are seeking a seasoned strategist and collaborator to build on a 25 year history of impact.

The new Executive Director will offer fresh insight and a solutions-oriented approach, with the ability to navigate complex coastal issues.

This person will carry on Heal the Ocean’s mission to safeguard ocean health in Santa Barbara County and work to advance ocean resilience policies statewide.

This is a full-time position based in Santa Barbara, California.

Applications are requested by April 10, 2024.

Learn more and apply at healtheocean.org/jobs

Happy Halloween! In spirit, here are 5 spooky facts about ocean pollution.👻

🎃There are 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic waste estimated to be in our oceans.

🎃500 marine locations are now recorded as dead zones globally, currently the size of the United Kingdom’s surface. Dead zones are low oxygen, or hypoxic, areas where few marine animals can survive and are commonly caused by excessive nutrient pollution from human activities.

🎃It’s not just plastic. The dumping of radioactive waste from nuclear reactors, industrial waste (such as heavy metals and acids), and drained sewage are also heavy contributors to ocean pollution.

🎃There is an island of garbage twice the size of Texas inside the Pacific Ocean. This is known as the North Pacific Gyre.

🎃Most ocean pollution we cannot see. Almost 70% of ocean garbage sinks to the seafloor, making it almost impossible to retrieve and clean up.

Pretty spooky, right? Wishing you all a fun and safe Halloween - make sure to dispose of your candy wrappers properly!

Shopping locally is huge, especially when you are supporting sustainable businesses with missions to protect the environment. Here are 5 businesses in Santa Barbara that practice sustainability.🌎🌊

1. is a zero waste refill shop offering a variety of eco-friendly products to fill your home with.

2. is a women-owned California Certified Green Business that carries all locally made products, perfect for gifts.

3. is a men’s & women’s clothing company that promotes zero-waste through reusable shipping pouches and a renewal workshop that extends the lifespan of clothing, all made with organic and recycled materials.

4. is a new zero-waste refill shop with a wide variety of common household products. Bring your own containers to fill, or utilize their grab-and-go bottle swap system.

5. is a colorful and stylish Turkish towel brand with a mission to heal and protect the ocean. 5% of profits are donated to various marine agencies such as Channel Islands Park Foundation, Coral Restoration Foundation, and The Whale and Dolphin Conservation.

🌊 Giveaway Time 🌊

This is our first time doing a giveaway and we wanted to highlight local sustainable businesses in Santa Barbara!

To enter:
-follow each account 🌿
-tag 2 people per entry 🌸
-extra entry 🌼 Why does sustainability matter to you?

The Giveaway closes at 6pm next Tuesday, October 17th!

Here is a recent water quality report for Santa Barbara County from the week of October 2, 2023.

This most recent report showed most beaches to be open, with the exception of a few beaches under advisory and warning.

Summerland Beach is under advisory due to increased oil sheen & tar observed in the water and on the beach.

Gaviota State Beach and East Beach @ Mission Creek are under warning due to coliform bacteria levels in the water exceeding state standards. Coliform can occur naturally in animal f***s and can also be found in stormwater runoff, soils, and vegetation.

Water quality reports are done weekly by . To learn more and get updates on weekly reports, Google “County of SB Water Quality Report” or click the link in our bio!

What a success!

Thank you for everyone who participated in Coastal Cleanup Day! It was a statewide success!

Swipe to see statistics for More Mesa, the beach Heal the Ocean was a site captain for + statistics for California as a whole!

Let’s remember that every day we spend on the beach is Coastal Cleanup Day.

Everyday we spend on land, is a day we can reduce our consumption and waste.

It starts at home!

We are actively monitoring our coast for tar, sheen, and crude oil along the Santa Barbara County coast. Goleta to Summerland.

Please let us know if you see large amounts of these substances at the beaches!

This Saturday! 9am-12pm!

Save the date and come join California’s biggest beach cleanup effort of the year!

Slide 2 lists all of the beaches you can come to for a beach cleanup! Make sure to RSVP (link in bio) so each site knows how many people will come help!

Heal the Ocean will be at More Mesa situated at the end of Mockingbird Lane.

Thank you and for putting on this wonderful event.

We hope to see you there!

A quick PSA to let you all know what the industrial barge is doing off the coast of Summerland!

Heal the Ocean and State Lands Commission have been working together to cap the many leaking oil wellheads here at Summerland Beach.

Heal the Ocean’s role has been to locate the leaking wellheads and report our findings to State Lands Commission so the wells can be scheduled for future capping.

HTO’s monitoring program continues to keep our coast and environment safe!

The barge, along with contractor 2H Offshore, Curtin Maritime, Global Divers, Patriot, and Beacon West are doing the work.

Help Save End Icelandic Whaling

A Note from HTO Artist

Peggy Oki, whose water color art is featured in HTO news-zine and cards, writes from Iceland:

Action required by August 31st to end Icelandic whaling, and breach the 4 Lower Snake River dams!

Check out for more information.

The Start of a New Geological Survey!

While the Leaking oil well capping of Treadwell 1&5 is taking place, Heal the Ocean has also officially started a geological study of Summerland’s ocean floor.

Today the air quality being checked at Lookout Park in Summerland and during the oil well capping procedures.

This study will allow us to map out the geology under the seabed, and give us answers as to how to better approach capping leaking oil wells for future reference.

Summerland’s geology below the surface is unique, in that there are fractures (aka cracks) that run through the ground, where oil can travel through to nearby locations. These cracks make it hard to pinpoint where oil is leaking from.

TODAY! 🎉

Heal the Ocean is pleased to announce our participation in the international movement once again!

Plastic Free July serves as an annual reminder that individuals have the power to make a significant impact on the issue of plastic pollution.

This year, the Community Environmental Council (CEC) is hosting a Plastic Free July Expo aimed at raising awareness about the impact of plastic pollution and empowering everyone to take steps in reducing reliance on single-use plastics.

We invite you to join us on Thursday, July 27 at 5:00 p.m. held at CEC's brand-new Environmental Hub located at 1219 State Street for the second annual Plastic Free July Expo.

The hosts of this event are and .

We will share insights and practical tips on reducing plastic waste and making sustainable choices. By joining forces with like-minded individuals and organizations, we can make a real difference with plastic pollution.

Thank you for your dedication and support. We look forward to seeing you at the event!

Big shoutout to Earthcomb cleaning up Summerland mess on a treacherous hillside!

Keeping our oceans clean starts with watching out for what on land could make it’s way into the sea!

This Friday, join us for a beach cleanup to kick off your weekend! ♻️🧹🏝️

We met so many new faces at the Earth Day Festival, therefore we wanted to put together a beach cleanup to get new faces involved!

We hope to see you all there with friends and family, or just yourself!

Please feel free to reach out with any questions 🌊

🗺️ Did you know Earth Day started in Santa Barbara? 🗺️

🗓️ On April 22, 1970, millions of people across the United States celebrated the first Earth Day, which was inspired by the devastating oil spill off the coast of Santa Barbara, California, in 1969. The spill released over 3 million gallons of crude oil into the ocean, killing thousands of marine animals and birds and covering miles of coastline in black sludge. 🛢️

🪧 Today, oil issues continue to be a major environmental concern, as oil spills, leaks, and transportation accidents can cause serious harm to the environment and wildlife. 🐠

🌊 Heal the Ocean is working to mitigate these problems alongside local and federal entities by advocating for cleaner energy sources and implementing measures to prevent oil spills and leaks. ❌

🗓️ To date, HTO has assisted in the capping of these wells in Summerland: Becker Well (Feb 2018), NorthStar and Treadwell(Nov 2020), Ohlssen 805 (July 2021), and Duquesne (Dec 2021). 🗓️

📝 Through education, outreach, and advocacy, Heal the Ocean is helping to raise awareness about the importance of protecting our oceans and marine life. By working with communities, businesses, and policymakers, we strive to help create a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future for our coast and communities worldwide.

Happy Earth Day to All! 🌍 🌎 🌏

🌎🍃In honor of Earth Day right around the corner, HTO is hosting a beach cleanup on 4/26 Wednesday, 9-11am right by the Santa Barbara Pier/West Beach! 🌊

🌳Come join us for a morning of beautifying our coastline!

🦋All supplies are provided, and community service hours are available.

⭐️90 minute free parking is available along Carrillo Blvd.

☀️ As summer approaches, Heal the Ocean is delighted to collaborate with Hotel Californian, its renowned restaurants, and its stunning spa this April, May, and June. 

🎗The proceeds from each permitted course, drink, or spa service will go towards HTO's ongoing ocean conservation efforts in our local Santa Barbara area, as well as on a global scale. 

🏖We extend our gratitude to Hotel Californian and its staff for the joint effort to raise awareness through these contributions. 

🏨 🗓Stop by Hotel Californian to join the fundraiser!

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This past week, Heal the Ocean was asked to join the USCG LA-LB Area Committee.

The US Coast Guard's LA-LB Area Committee is composed of prominent organizations such as NOAA, USCG, National Parks, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Office of Spill Prevention and Response.

At this meeting Harry Rabin presented HTO's work on capping leaking oil wells in Summerland and cleaning up local boat wrecks. He also shared our interactive GIS map which documents all of our efforts (this map can be found on the HTO Website under Interactive Maps). Lastly, the committee enjoyed learning about the autonomous drone technology used to identify oil leaks.

We are honored to be working alongside such entities on federal, state, and county levels.

We are thankful for our community and diligent people, such as yourself, for laying the groundwork to assist in pursuing solutions without delay.

We are excited to be hosting a beach cleanup on Tuesday 3/7 from 9am-11am.

You can show up at any of the following beaches:
🐠Arroyo B***o (Hendry’s) Beach
🌊East Beach
🦀West Beach
🧜‍♀️Miramar Beach

⚓️Heal the Ocean will be providing T-shirts, bags, and gloves for the cleanup.

🌅We cannot wait to bring the community together to beautify our beloved coastline!

Please contact us if you have any questions.

See you all there!

Weather Updates for the Week!

A high wind warning is in effect throughout Southern California.

Winds are expected to pick up this weekend, possibly reaching 40 mph gusts in Santa Barbara County.

There is a winter storm warning for the Santa Barbara mountains from Wednesday through Saturday.

Showers are to be expected Thursday, whereas a larger storm is expected Friday-Saturday (Santa Barbara Independent).

According to the National Weather Service, expect 1 to 2 inches of rain by Saturday, with an intermission this Sunday before another rainfall commences Monday night through to Tuesday.

The rainfall is predicted to be less severe than its January counterpart. However, residents should be advised that gusts of wind and frigid temperatures will accompany them this weekend and the coming week.

🏅The Association for Women in Communications Santa Barbara chapter (AWC-SB) will honor climate champions Hillary Hauser and Leah Stokes at the 15th Annual AWC-SB Women of Achievement Awards presented by Women Connect4Good.

🌊HTO’s Executive Director and Co-Founder is being recognized for her accomplishments in diving photojournalism, co-founding of Heal the Ocean, and being an outspoken active figure in the realm of climate change and ocean pollution.

🍽The luncheon will take place at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 27, 2023, at Cabrillo Pavilion. Tickets to the luncheon are available at awcsb.org

Water Quality Update!!💧

The most recent Ocean Water Sample Results are in from 2/6/2023 courtesy of Santa Barbara County Environmental Health Services. 🌊🐡

Be sure to check the water quality before your next ocean dip! ✨🐠

The water quality in certain areas are still healing from the recent sewage leak.

Especially areas such as East Beach are highly impact.

More information about sampling results can be found on the website shown on slide 3. 🔬🥽

⚠️ 🛥️ Boat Pieces Removed from Butterfly Beach! 🏖️

This past Sunday, while beach goers played on Butterfly Beach, Heal the Ocean and Earthcomb were hard at work to remove the boat wreck! ⚓️

⛈️ During the Storm of January 2023, the Luna Sea broke anchor and washed ashore on Butterfly Beach. 🏖️

Thankfully all toxins were removed by the owner and the gas/fuel onboard was removed by Heal the Ocean. 🚯♻️

Due to the recent high tides, HTO was not able to remove the boat until almost a month later. 🌊This weekend's low tides (in the negatives) allowed HTO and Earthcomb workers to access the boat location for removal.

🔱 We are also in the process of monitoring and removing other derelict boats in the County.

Our Boat Task Force is meeting tomorrow to address this recurring issue. 🤝

Stay Tuned!

From East Beach to Shoreline the ocean has been closed to the public due to 5,500 gallons of raw sewage spill in Sycamore Creek that occurred yesterday.

Officials believe that it has been leaking since Jan. 9th with the recent storm likely being part of the issue.

Contact with contaminated water is extremely dangerous and could cause serious illness. Please follow all guidelines until further notice.

Santa Barbara experienced a King Tide this weekend on January 21-22. 🤴🏻🌊

King Tide is a non-scientific term used to describe exceptionally high tides. 🔬👩🏼‍🔬

The tide was as high as 7ft and as low as -2 ft in one day. That’s a 9ft fluctuation in one day. 🏄🏽

Heal the Ocean documented moments from the King Tide because it is a good approximation of how high we expect the ocean to be over the next few decades due to human caused sea level rise.

Sea level rise is dangerous because it poses a threat to coast communities. It often causes erosion, flooding and agricultural contamination. 🏝️

We can already see in the above photos that Isla Vista’s cliffs have eroded from sea level rise. ⛔️⚠️☣️

The foundational structures and pipes of many cliff side houses are exposed.

It has become increasingly common for the cliff side balconies to fall into the ocean in Isla Vista.

Photo credits: Jasmin Tupy

A big thank you to the Santa Barbara County Environmental Health Services for the ocean monitoring sample results! 🔬

Before visiting your favorite beach, be sure to check the water status on the charts above! 🧜🏽‍♀️

Please stay safe and have a wonderful weekend! 🌊 🐬

Sunken Boat Alert! 🚤❗️⚠️

Last week  a derelict boat sank near East Beach.

HTO worked closely to document the whole incident at the request of the Harbor Patrol and Coast Guard. 🛳️

Field Director Harry Rabin was on scene taking drone photographs of the boat whose anchor was drifting. ⚓️

On Sunday Jan 15 around 10am, the boat broke free and started dragging its anchor from Fool's Anchorage to East Beach.

By 11:20am the boat made it past Coral Casino.
It eventually ran aground around 2pm in Sandyland.

At 5am when the tide came up, it broke the boat in half and ultimately sank (see picture 1).

In a few days on January 20th, Harry Rabin will go and survey at the low tide and see what is salvageable.

Harry Rabin confirms that 10 gallons of diesel leaked into the ocean from the sunken boat. ⛽️

Furthermore, an unknown amount of motor oil, toxic liquids such as coolants from the engine, batteries, and septic also leaked into the sea. 🪫

Unfortunately this was another case of an abandoned boat that was not insured by the owner.

If you see a derelict boat, please contact the Heal the Ocean office at 805-965-7570 🌊🐠

We are calling for volunteers to lead independent cleanups to clear out the debris at the bird refuge near East Beach. 🌊

On-site parking is available. Please bring your own trash bags for the cleanup.🦞 The trash can be put into the dumpsters near the road.

Together we can make a difference! The ocean thanks you! 🐟

As 2023 kicks off, Heal the Ocean looks back to the memorable and impactful events of 2022! On behalf of everyone at HTO, we wish you the best for the start of the new year!