The International Blue Flag Jury meeting took place on 5 September 2018, roughly a year after Hurricane Maria violently hit Puerto Rico and Hurricanes Irma and Jose devastated the Caribbean Islands and parts of the USA in September 2017. Among the countries proudly flying the Blue Flag in the region, Sint Maarten and the US Virgin Islands are still working to reestablish the Blue Flag criteria in the wake of the storms.
The Foundation for Environmental Education, through its Blue Flag certification, long recognised as the global benchmark for sustainable beaches, marinas and boat-based activities around the world, has signed an agreement with ENAT – The European Network for Accessible Tourism non-profit association to work together to promote access for all visitors to beaches, marinas and boat-based activities.
With more than 570 awarded beaches, Spain is the county with the highest amount of Blue Flag awarded sites worldwide. Three of these beaches belong to the municipality of Palafrugell in Girona. Since 2011 they actively participate in the monitoring of nearby Posidonia meadows, leading to many positive developments for local marine species.
It's not just another day at the beach! On 26 February, South African Blue Flag National Operator WESSA held an event on Muizenberg beach in Cape Town to present amphibious wheelchairs to four municipal Blue Flag beaches in South Africa.
In Puerto Rico, the Marina Puerto del Rey and the companies ‘Sea Ventures Pro Dive Center’, ‘East Island Excursions’ and ‘Bellaventura Inc,’ came together to establish a collection center for first aid kits, food, water, clothing and construction material to deliver to the affected population in these islands.
