Blue Flags to fly on seven South Coast beaches
The Blue Flag Programme, now in its 31st year, is focused on the conservation of marine and coastal habitats and is designed to raise environmental education and awareness and increase sound environmental practices among tourists, local populations and beach management.
The South Coast has once again retained seven Blue Flags for its beaches in the 2018/19 blue flag season.
An announcement was made at the National Wessa Blue Flag launch in Mossel Bay last Friday.
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Out of nine Blue Flags awarded to the entire Kwazulu-Natal province, seven of them are going to Lucien, Ramsgate, Marina, Trafalgar, Southport, Umzumbe and Hibberdene.
The flags, which are set to fly high in November, will signify that holidaymakers are enjoying beaches with a Blue Flag status during the December holiday season.
The Blue Flags were awarded following a lengthy process involving both national and international assessments.
To achieve a Blue Flag status, 33 different criteria covering four aspects of coastal management must be met and maintained: water quality, environmental education and information, environmental management and safety and services.
Each Blue Flag site is compelled to conduct several environmental education activities during the year and to practise effective and efficient conservation management.
Wessa general manager, Vincent Shacks, applauded all the municipalities, marinas and boat operators for having achieved the Blue Flag status and said the whole of South Africa should be part of their efforts.
“Blue Flag is a voluntary eco-label, so all of the effort and funding that is put into improving these sites is done in the interest of those using them. We are especially inspired by those sites where municipalities, the business sector and local residents are all working together to maintain this standard of excellence.”
The Blue Flag Programme, now in its 31st year, is focused on the conservation of marine and coastal habitats and is designed to raise environmental education and awareness and increase sound environmental practices among tourists, local populations and beach management.
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