The Association of Surfing Professionals has confirmed plans to implement a drug testing and enforcement policy for the 2012 World Tour season.

“The ASP is in the process of working towards a concrete and effective drug policy for the start of the 2012 World Tour season,” ASP Media Director Dave Prodan told ESPN on Thursday. “We are still in the process of figuring out exactly how that is going to work, and more details will be forthcoming next week.”

The news comes at the end of a whirlwind week for competitive surfing’s governing body, which began with the premature awarding of the 2011 World Title to Kelly Slater, followed by Wednesday’s resignation of ASP CEO Brodie Carr.

News of the possibility of drug testing ASP World Tour surfers was first reported Wednesday by The Australian, when Vans Triple Crown Director Randy Rarick went on record, saying, “It’s been a long time coming.”

The policy was reportedly spurred by the Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA) board of directors, of which major surf labels Billabong, Quiksilver, Rip Curl, Hurley and Vans are represented (brands that also sponsor all of the World Tour events).

The village of Ericeira, mailand Portugal, is now officially a World Surfing Reserve (WSR), becoming the second WSR overall and the first in Europe.

The Ericeira World Surfing Reserve was officially endorsed on October 14 by Portuguese President Aníbal Cavaco Silva and was acknowledged in the Portuguese National Assembly.

The President acknowledged the significance of preserving the surfing coastline for not only the thousands of Portuguese surfers, but also for the vitality of Portugal’s economy, the health of the coastal and marine environment, and maintaining a high quality of life for residents.

“When we talk of surfing at our beaches, we are talking about much more than a sport: we are evoking a lifestyle and a relationship with the sea that is very Portuguese, a relationship that is natural and ancestral,” the President stated. “The designation of Ericeira as a World Surfing Reserve should serve as an example to stimulate everyone to aspire to a more environmentally healthy country with an excellent standard of living.” He said.

Sportswear brand Nike have pulled out of a major sponsorship deal with surfing champion Charly Martin after he was caught in possession of a knife.

Martin, who is currently ranked as the third best surfer in the world, was fined £500 in Wick after he was stopped carrying a 4.5 inch cutlery knife.

Following the affair a Nike spokeswoman said: “Nike has ended its sponsorship of Charles Martin as a result of his recent conviction. We have no further comment.”

The star had set himself a goal of attaining “more maturity for myself and my surfing” during the 2010 season.

Martin has also secured sponsorship deals with Oakley sunglasses and surf wear label O’Neill.