Blue Flag beaches and shark nets don’t go together
Protection of the marine environment and sea creatures, rather than bather enjoyment, was the original purpose of Blue Flag beaches, with water quality the paramount issue.
Beaches with Blue Flag status are seen as a tourist attraction, since stringent standards have to be adhered to, especially with regard to water quality, amenities, safety, cleanliness and environmental management.
However, few might know that Blue Flag regulations were initially established as an environmental protection mechanism. Protection of the marine environment and sea creatures, rather than bather enjoyment, was the original purpose of Blue Flag beaches, with water quality the paramount issue.
In fact, in South Africa, the programme is run under the auspices of the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa, in partnership with the government.
The criteria are set by the Blue Flag founders, the international Foundation for Environmental Education in Europe, and the original awards were based on standards covering sewage treatment and bathing water quality at coastal cities.
Tragically, coastal zones are still the dumping ground for industrial waste and sewage disposal along South Africa’s coast.
The Blue Flag ‘rules’ later expanded to incorporate a code of conduct for beach behaviour, waste disposal bins, recycling, camping rules, dune vegetation, boating protocols, building maintenance, lifeguards, first aid, and a host of other criteria.
Environmentalists believe the presence of shark nets (gill nets) that indiscriminately include dolphins, rays, turtles and other species as by-catch, violates Blue Flag’s environmental objectives.
DID YOU KNOW?
Click on the words highlighted in red to read more on this and related topics.
To receive news links via WhatsApp or Telegram, send an invite to 061 876 3179.
The Southlands Sun is also on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram – why not join us there?
Do you have more information pertaining to this story?
Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.
(Comments posted on this issue may be used for publication in the Sun).
