New Jersey woman paddles to save oceans

MEDFORD LAKES, N.J., Oct. 6 (UPI) -- A New Jersey woman who paddled 2,500 miles is to be honored by Monmouth University for her efforts to save threatened parts of the ocean.

Margo Pellegrino, 41, of Medford Lakes has paddled her outrigger canoe from Miami to Maine to Washington to sound the alarm about water she's seen with toxic shellfish, floating litter, dead fish and mounds of dirty scum, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported Monday.

"I'm really concerned about the future of the oceans' resources and what impact their health will have on my children's well-being," said Pellegrino, a mother of two.

Pellegrino, who calls herself a concerned citizen, is to be honored this month by Monmouth University's Urban Coast Institute in West Long Branch, N.J., the Inquirer reported.

Pellegrino's future trips include paddling from the Gulf of Mexico to the Florida Everglades next spring and then paddling up the Pacific Coast.

"I'll keep paddling for as long as my body holds out," Pellegrino said.