Featuring...Shark River Cleanup Coalition

The Shark River Cleanup Coalition (SRCC) was formed in 2001 by Brian Hegarty, who got sick after wake-boarding in the Shark River.   Angered and appalled that people are getting sick from contact with polluted water, Hegarty launched a campaign to track down sources of pollution in the Shark River estuary and its freshwater tributaries.  SRCC was also one of the first organizations to support the Clean Ocean Zone initiative, a project of COA.

The River is a location for boating, fishing, swimming, and other activities.  It is also a source of drinking water for thousands of residents.  As such, SRCC works to “improve and protect habitats important to the conservation and abundance of the wildlife, and to protect the recreational and commercial uses from degradation and pollution, thereby ensuring the ecological and economical stability of this important watershed.”

Dependent solely on dedicated Board members and volunteers, SRCC works for better standards and solutions to water quality problems.  SRCC monitors the River and its tributaries for fecal coliform bacteria (found in mammal and human wastes), nitrogen, and dissolved oxygen several times a week throughout the year.  This data shows that many tributaries are bringing pollutants into the river system and eventually, into the ocean. 

Also, SRCC focuses on open space preservation and litigation against individuals, businesses, and governments that pollute the watershed.

SRCC educates residents and elected officials in the watershed through videos, seminars, river tours, and cleanups. 

In short, SRCC is a voice for the River, its tributaries, stakeholders, and inhabitants.

For more information about SRCC, visit www.sharkriver.org or call 732-775-7196.