Surfers in Devon and Cornwall have written to the UK Government to ask them for a change in the law to try to protect British beaches and surfing waves.
Surfers Against Sewage (SAS), a surfer's action group which campaigns for clean beaches and to protect the coastline, believes that the surfing industry in Devon and Cornwall is at risk from coastal developments and pollution.
The surfing industry brings around £65m in tourism business to the South West region and it is this which the group fears is threatened by the pace of coastal development.
Now SAS have launched a petition with the aim of collecting 100,000 signatures to pressure the Government to give beaches and the waves which surfers thrive on the same legal protection afforded to ancient woodland.
Hugo Tagholm is a director of SAS and is heading up the Protect Our Waves petition.
"Surfers Against Sewage is already working to protect a number of threatened surfing breaks around the UK and it is shocking that there is no specific law in the UK to safeguard these amazing natural resources," he told the North Devon Journal.
Although the coastline is already protected by some laws, there is no specific legislation to protect beaches and waves from development.
"There is currently no specific legal protection for surfing waves or any assurance that stakeholders, including surfers and surfing communities in Wales, Northern Ireland or England will be consulted fairly on activities threatening their existence," Mr Tagholm continued.
"Waves and surfing beaches should be recognised as part of UK coastal heritage and afforded greater protection and valued as unique, valuable and scarce assets, just like ancient woodland," he added.
The SAS campaign has gained support from a broad spectrum including nine-time European Longboard Champion Ben Skinner, who believes that development in coastal towns will destroy good surfing conditions.
"Clean, perfect waves and great surf spots are a finite natural resource just like our forests, lakes and mountains, and we must ensure they are protected from over-development, pollution and other environmental threats," he told the North Devon Journal.
You can sign the petition at http://www.protectourwaves.org.uk
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Pleading for laws to protect beach waves (This Is North Devon)
Beaches present a great tourism option to nature lovers. It is pleasing to know that various surfers have approached the UK government for a change in the law regarding the protection of waves and beaches. Various natural features like forests, mountains, lakes and beaches should be preserved in order to maintain the beauty and diversity of nature.