ETHEKWINI Municipality will apply to have six of its beaches included in the Pilot Blue Flag Programme and two renew existing Blue Flag status for two of its beaches.
The beaches to be included include Vetch’s Beach, Anstey’s Beach, North Beach, South Beach, uMhlanga Main Beach and Umdloti Main Beach.
Currently the city has two Blue Flag status beaches at uShaka and Westbrook. The Umgababa and Amanzimtoti beaches still under pilot for the Blue Flag Project.
ALSO READ: EThekwini awarded blue flag status
The Blue Flag programme strives to promote sustainable development in the coastal areas through high water quality standards, safety standards, environmental management standards and environmental education. The programme also works to bring together the tourism and environmental sector at local, regional and national levels.
To gain Blue Flag status, a local authority has to apply to register and be nominated to be granted Blue Flag status or to be registered as a Pilot Blue Flag Beach. In order to apply to be nominated, each beach must comply with 33 criteria around this programme. The criteria for Blue Flag status covers four main areas namely water quality, environmental information and education campaigns, environmental management and safety and services. The Blue Flag status is valid for one year and needs to be applied for and granted annually at a cost of R25 440. A Pilot Blue Flag programme costs R21 200.
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