For almost 30 years, Surfrider FoundationEurope has been tacking action as arecognized authority on three areas ofexpertise: marine litter, water quality andpublic health, coastal management andclimate change.Thanks to its strong expertise in thosesubjects, the NGO also benefits from a solidsupport on the ground, with a network of1,800 volunteers, 15,000 members and150,000 supporters working around fortylocal chapters, spread all over Europe.SFE is a key actor on environmentalconsultation in Europe especially in France.Since 2012, Surfrider has been one of thefew NGOs authorized by the French State tocontribute and feed the publicenvironmental debate at the national scale.To this end, Surfrider sits on the NationalCouncil for Ecological Transition (CNTE) andtakes part in several environmentalconferences. It is also a member of theEconomic, Social and EnvironmentalCouncil (CESE), the National Sea and CoastalCouncil (CNML), the Higher Council of theMarine Merchant, the National WasteCouncil, the TAAF advisory (the FrenchSouthern and Antarctic Lands), a member ofthe Board of Directors of the FrenchBiodiversity Office and the 3 Maritime FrontCommittees, to raise awareness of the needto take into account an ecosystem approachto marine issues.Thanks to popular education accreditation,Surfrider develops an important educationprograms and tools based on awarenessraising of young people and citizens aboutenvironmental challenges. Then, Surfrider isan independent organization that acts as astrong counter power through legal action.Due to its history and creation, Surfrider hasbeen developing itself mainly in France. Itsmain office is in Biarritz and it also has 3other offices (Bordeaux, Marseille and Paris)and 20 local chapters in France.However, its action and developmentconcern the entire European area. Its actionis heading towards European institutionsand legislation. Surfrider has several officesin San Sebastian, Barcelona, Hamburg andseveral European chapters that strength itslocal implementation and the coordinationof the European lobby campaigns.