No Blue Flag for Margate beach
Seven HCM beaches were awarded Blue Flag status.
SEVEN beaches under the Hibiscus Coast Municipality have been awarded the prestigious Blue Flag status.
The announcement was made by the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (Wessa) in Knysna on Tuesday to coincide with the start of National Marine Week.
Marina Beach, Trafalgar, Lucien, Southport, Umzumbe, Ramsgate and Mpenjati were awarded Blue Flag status. Unfortunately Margate beach has not yet been able to get its Blue Flag status back.
Pennington, Park Rynie and Scottburgh beaches in Umdoni Municipality were also awarded Blue Flag status.
Nine KwaZulu-Natal sites, mainly beaches, have been awarded Blue Flag status, an international programme recognised as a trusted symbol of quality.
The voluntary eco-label for beaches, marinas and boats is regarded by the World Tourism Organisation as the most well-known eco-label globally.
The 82 Blue Flag sites in South Africa this year consist of 45 beaches, six marinas and six whale-watching or commercial sites that have been awarded full status. Another 25 sites have pilot status.
The pilot sites will have to pass 33 different criteria in terms of water quality, environmental education and information, environmental management, and safety and services.
