Ocean Illness

The Jersey Shore Chapter has started an Ocean Illness campaign to document cases where local surfers and swimmers have become ill after surfing or swimming in the ocean. High bacteria levels in the water generally correspond to periods of heavy rainfall which tends to wash pollutants from our watershed into rivers and ultimately out to local surf and swimming areas with the tide. These conditions typically clear out 36 to 72 hours after the rainfall has subsided. Risk for a typical recreational beach/ocean user is lower because they usually won’t find themselves in the water during or immediately following stormy conditions. The risk is greater to the avid ocean goers and especially surfers who may be in the water after heavy rain events. We are collecting data on any and all cases of people getting sick from the ocean.

If you believe dirty water made you sick, please fill out our NJ Ocean Illness Form. We will use this information to make our state and local officials aware of this issue and work towards a solution. By sharing this information on you’ll be helping our Chapter take the first step in this important campaign.

NJ Ocean Illness Form