Redraw!
Building on more than 30 years of civic engagement against water pollution,
the Retrace! project is now taking over from Initiatives Océanes.
This evolution aims to breathe new life and momentum into Surfrider’s historic program
, while preserving the very essence of the project:
tracing the origin of waste to identify its source and combat aquatic pollution at its source throughout Europe.
Overview
Retrace! encourages all motivated citizens to organize or join cleanup efforts along the coastline or near waterways.
The waste is then analyzed and quantified by the volunteers before being entered into our database, thereby transforming it into strategic information that helps us understand pollution patterns and pinpoint their sources.
This database serves as a valuable resource to inform our advocacy efforts with policymakers and industry leaders, enabling us to demand concrete action to protect our oceans from the threats posed by marine debris, particularly plastic pollution.
Thanks to Retrace!, every participant becomes a field investigator, helping to improve our understanding of pollution and actively contributing to changes in the law.
Key Figures
, 2026
Behind every number, there are faces, arms, and… gloved hands ready to pick up every bit of trash.
So first and foremost, a huge thank you to everyone who made this possible!
693
organized fundraisers
3537
participants*
255728
quantified waste*
Data that drives legislative change
The data collected through the Retrace! program is much more than just numbers: it provides robust scientific evidence to urge policymakers and industry leaders to take action at the highest levels. This reliable data enables our advocacy team to build strong cases and pressure public authorities and private entities to take decisive measures to protect the ocean.
The data collected by Surfrider through the Retrace! project has already contributed to significant legislative progress:
The Single-Use Plastics (SUP) Directive: This European regulation aims to reduce the environmental impact of single-use plastic products by banning certain items designed to be discarded shortly after use (such as plastic cutlery, straws, and cotton swabs) and by restricting the use of others.
The Plastic Bags Directive: This directive was adopted with the aim of limiting the use of single-use plastic bags in order to reduce their presence in the environment, particularly in the ocean.
By participating in Retrace! fundraising campaigns, you are directly helping to support these advocacy efforts that are shaping European regulations.
Surfrider
Founded in 1990 by surfers passionate about the ocean, Surfrider Foundation Europe represents an international community of positive activists committed to preserving the ocean for future generations.
With more than three decades of dedication, Surfrider has established itself as a key player in the protection of aquatic environments.
Its recognized expertise focuses on three areas: combating pollution from waste (particularly plastics), preserving the quality of aquatic ecosystems, and managing coastal risks in the face of climate change.
To effectively protect the ocean, coastlines, lakes, and rivers from environmental threats, the organization employs a variety of strategies that complement its scientific expertise, including citizen science, advocacy, art, and education.
At the heart of Surfrider’s mission lies a core belief: that every individual can be an agent of change. This philosophy drives citizen engagement that combines grassroots action with advocacy efforts aimed at public policymakers to advance environmental policies, while also collaborating with businesses to promote sustainable practices.
Convinced that protecting the ocean is inextricably linked to the well-being of communities, Surfrider works toward a sustainable model in which people and nature coexist in mutual respect.
Stay up to date with Surfrider
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Our financial partners
Our partners amplify our impact and help spread our message. Whether through financial, operational, or communications support, every partnership is invaluable in expanding our reach.
French Office for Biodiversity (
)
New region: Aquitaine -
Agency for Ecological Transition and the Digital Economy (
)
IRD
(R&D institute)
Ministry of Ecological Transition
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