Blue Flag growth continues in Asia and South America, International Jury awards first beaches in India and Chile

Blue Flag International is pleased to announce the results of the Blue Flag International Jury meeting for sites in the Southern Hemisphere; the full list of awarded sites is now available on the Blue Flag International website. An exciting highlight of this year’s evaluation is the expansion of the programme into new countries in Asia and South America, with the International Jury awarding the first Blue Flags to beaches in India and Chile. 

Radhanagar in Andaman and Nicobar Islands is one of the eight newly-awarded Blue Flag beaches in India. Photo by Sahil on Unsplash.

The Blue Flag International Jury met on 6 October to award 157 Southern Hemisphere sites for the 2020-2021 season. The sites include 126 beaches, 16 marinas and 15 tourism boats across 9 countries in the Caribbean, South America, Africa and the Indian Ocean region. With the newly awarded sites, there are now 4,671 sites flying the Blue Flag in 48 countries around the world.

“What makes Blue Flag unique as a programme is that it can reach down to local communities, but on a global level!” said Blue Flag International Jury member Ivor Abrose from the European Network for Accessible Tourism (ENAT), summarising how the Blue Flag programme connects local communities to global issues. 

Blue Flag firsts in India and Chile

After several years of hard work, dedication and cooperation, India has achieved Blue Flag awards for eight beaches around the country.

Kartikeya Sarabhai, Director of the Centre for Environment Education and Blue Flag India said, “I am happy that India has been awarded the Blue Flag for eight beaches. Our team from Blue Flag India and National Jury, are privileged to have been able to facilitate the process and wish to commend the key role of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Govt. of India in fostering partnerships with the State Governments and local administration to initiate the journey towards achieving Blue Flag award. We cherish our association with FEE as the representative member for India and shall continue to nurture Blue Flag as a transformative platform, creating opportunities for empowering stakeholders to contribute positively towards sustainable coastal management.” 

Blue Flag International would like to congratulate all the stakeholders in India who collaborated to bring about this well-earned accomplishment. India’s successful implementation of the Blue Flag programme is an example of how countries can achieve sustainable coastal management and protect their coastal ecosystems while also attracting new visitors and promoting responsible tourism.

“Eight Indian beaches being conferred with the Blue Flag award is a testimony of concerted and collective participation of the State Governments, Local Administration, Beach Management Committees and various stakeholders in the project. The Ministry is extremely thankful for the continued support of other Ministries and their organisations of Government of India towards this initiative,” said R.P. Gupta, Secretary of the Indian Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change. You can read the full statement from the Secretary here.

In addition to the great success in India, the first beach in Chile has also received a Blue Flag award this year. The Blue Flag National Operator in Chile, Fundación Educarse, has managed to comply with the stringent set of Blue Flag criteria after participating in the programme for only one year. This is indeed quite an impressive achievement, as new countries usually require a two-to-three-year pilot period before obtaining their first Blue Flag.

Upon receiving the good news, Antonio Hirane Castaño, Executive Director of Fundación Educarse said, “We are very happy that the Municipalidad de Zapallar with Playa Grande de Cachagua has become the first in Chile and the Southern Cone to obtain the Blue Flag award. We have no doubts that a conscious and systematic work around the programme, such as the one they carried out, will allow many other beaches in our country to fly the flag in the near future. We are very keen to continue working with them, and other localities, to be a real contribution to the sustainable development of our coastal and lake communities.”

The Blue Flag International Jury commends all the awarded countries and sites for their continued dedication and commitment to protecting our coasts and oceans, especially considering the unprecedented challenges many have faced this year due to the ongoing global pandemic.

Best Practice Competition

In addition to awarding Blue Flag sites, the International Jury also reviewed submissions from the Southern Hemisphere for the 2020 Blue Flag Best Practice Competition. The theme of this year’s Best Practice Competition was pollution, and the jury was highly impressed with the many Blue Flag sites that have achieved exceptional outcomes from their efforts to keep our coasts and oceans healthy.

First place was awarded to the Dominican Republic for their “Wave of Change” initiative, which was implemented by the Iberostar Group at all three of their hotels in the country with the goals of reducing single-use plastics, promoting sustainable fishing, improving coastal health and providing environmental education to local communities.

The U.S. Virgin Islands came in second place with their watershed education outreach project that involved a 2-year assessment of the Smith Bay/Water Bay area in St. Thomas, followed by an informational brochure, numerous coastal clean-ups and educational activities about watershed pollution and protection.

India received the third place recognition for their integrated beach pollution facilities for waste and water management. All eight Blue Flag beaches in India were developed based on a “Zero Waste and Zero Pollution” concept, and have also been conducting “I am saving my beach” awareness campaigns for the last three years.

To learn more about the three winners, and to view many more inspiring best practice examples across a wide range of topics from Blue Flag sites around the world, visit the Blue Flag best practice database at www.blueflag.global/best-practices.

About the Blue Flag International Jury

The International Blue Flag Jury is composed of representatives from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), International Lifesaving Federation (ILS), the European Environment Agency (EEA), the European Union for Coastal Conservation (EUCC), the International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA), the European Network for Accessible Tourism (ENAT), the World Cetacean Alliance (WCA) and the Foundation for Environmental Education. You can learn more about each of the jury members on the Blue Flag website: www.blueflag.global/international-jury

The next meeting of the Blue Flag International Jury will take place on 13 April 2021 to award beaches, marinas and tourism boats from the Northern Hemisphere.

The Blue Flag International Jury met on 6 October 2020 to award sites in the Southern Hemisphere.

The Foundation for Environmental Education runs the Blue Flag programme: https://www.fee.global

Feel free to check out and use our copyrighted pictures for communication:  https://flic.kr/s/aHsk75W98q 

Adapting a Blue Flag environmental education activity to COVID-19 restrictions

Blue Flag environmental education activities around the world have been presented with challenges due to restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Consequently, many marine and coastal environmental educators have been looking at innovative ways to adapt traditional learning options.

Photo: © Marine Dimensions

One of these educators is Marine Biologist Dr. Sarah Varian, who runs a small community-oriented enterprise in Ireland. Her business Marine Dimensions is dedicated to raising awareness about the marine and coastal environment. As a result of the COVID-19 restrictions, Sarah and her team have been working on adapting one of their most popular workshops, The Marine Experience, to run online.

The workshop, which is designed to introduce all age groups to the wonders of our marine world, has traditionally been very hands-on and practical. This included an interactive display of live animals and authentic marine regalia, ranging from lobster claws and whalebones to starfish and shark egg cases. Therefore, when the Marine Dimensions team got the confirmation from the Wicklow County Council to trial some online events for the County’s Blue Flag Environmental Education Activities, they weren’t sure how effective a ‘hands-off’ option might be.

However, the educators found that they were able to maintain the high engagement rate of the workshop by keeping other core components of the outreach. For example, small group sizes, a knowledgeable tutor and interesting bio-facts all improved the quality of the learning experience.

Indeed, reviews provided by workshop attendees were very positive, and several benefits were noted in relation to running the event online, including the potential for:

• Maximising social distancing requirements concerning COVID-19 restrictions

• Added convenience for families working from home

• Engaging from a wide variety of locations, e.g. some families even watched the event en-route in the back seat of their car

• Flexibility in terms of interaction - families could turn off their video and audio to allow privacy if so desired

• Lower carbon emissions because of reduced travel associated with the event

With such encouraging results, the Marine Dimensions team is now looking forward to adapting the workshop to connect with schools and other programmes, thereby reaching out at the community level.

The trial online Marine Experience events were kindly facilitated by Wicklow Libraries, with funding from Wicklow County Council and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment through the Community Environment Action Fund (Local Agenda 21) in Ireland.

To read more about their programme, visit www.marinedimensions.ie

Blue Flag Pilot Status for Three Tobago Beaches

On Monday, the 12th of October 2020, the Tobago Tourism Agency Limited (TTAL) received the Blue Flag Pilot status from the Blue Flag International Jury for three beaches in Tobago. The beaches of King’s Bay, Bloody Bay and Mt Irvine Bay received a formal endorsement to fully engage in meeting the Blue Flag criteria and to submit their applications for the Blue Flag award as early as 2021. This makes Tobago the only island in the Lesser Antilles working officially towards the full implementation of the Blue Flag, which benefits its visitors and residents alike. Blue Flag is one of the programmes implemented in Trinidad and Tobago by the NGO Green T&T.

Photo: King’s Bay, © Jacob Bock

The Blue Flag Pilot status  has been announced by the Blue Flag National Coordinator, Joanna Moses-Wothke, who also provided the details leading up to the announcement as well as information about subsequent steps towards the Blue Flag certification.

Tobago was always poised as an ideal Blue Flag destination. With its pristine beaches, an intact montane tropical rainforest and small communities, it was more a matter of time, when the island would also be certified as one. Any beach that applies for the Blue Flag award must first undergo a gap analysis against the Blue Flag standards and must submit measures towards compliance. Once the pilot beaches are in full compliance, TTAL can submit the beach applications to the National and International Blue Flag Juries for the official Blue Flag award as early as 2021,

Joanna Moses-Wothke explained.

Besides the Blue Flag requirements, the three beaches share unique ecosystems such as coral reefs and rivers with rich biodiversity. Additionally, King’s Bay and Bloody Bay are situated in the planned North East Tobago UNESCO Man-and the-Biosphere site, another credence of international significance that promotes blue and green economies and sustainable management of natural resources.

Narendra Ramgulam, Director Tourism Product Development & Destination Management at the Tobago Tourism Agency Limited, stated:

Blue Flag is one of the most reputable and recognized awards for beaches worldwide.  Having been granted pilot status for three beaches means that we are taking steps in the right direction. This will not only help to boost our environmental sustainability as a destination, but through this process, we are also leveraging and building confidence in our eco-conscious travellers.  Trends from leading tourism journals and studies indicate that travellers post COVID-19 are going to be demanding safe destinations and destinations that are perceived to be clean/green. In this regard, Blue Flag gives the destination Tobago an edge over our competitors, as no other beaches in the English-Speaking Caribbean arein the Blue Flag pilot phase. This definitely makes us first movers in this aspect, and we hope to continue building on this thrust as we move forward as a destination with the image of being untouched and unspoilt.

 More information on the Blue Flag programme in Tobago can be found at http://green-tt.org/blue-flag-tt/

Photo: King’s Bay, © Tobago Tourism Agency

Monitoring marine debris for global environmental solutions!

The Foundation for Environmental Education Turkey (TÜRÇEV) continues to implement the Marine Litter Watch Programme of the European Environment Agency's ′′Marine Litter Watch′′ on the shores of the country.

Photo: © Foundation for Environmental Education Turkey (TÜRÇEV)

The Marine Litter Watch (MLW) programme is an initiative by the European Environment Agency (EEA) aiming to fight marine litter through the collection of data and information about disposed waste. At the same time, the initiative is designed to create awareness about the impact of littering on marine ecosystems and should strengthen the public’s willingness to provide the much-needed data. 

Almila Kindan, National Operator for the Blue Flag Programme at the Foundation for Environmental Education in Turkey, very much believed in this idea of contributing to global environmental solutions through scientific-based studies. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, TURCEV had already planned to do a pilot study together with the EEA MLW Expert in Turkey, Professor Ahmet Kideys from the Marine Sciences Institute of the Middle European Technical University (METU). After the pandemic, the TURCEV team still had the desire to be part of the marine litter monitoring activities and therefore decided to execute the project together with the guidance of Professor Ahmet Kideys. The expert provided detailed information about necessary litter items to look for at the beaches and the corresponding reporting procedure of the Marine Litter Watch initiative.

Following this guidance, Blue Flag Turkey organised the first Marine Litter Watch clean up and monitoring on the 13th of October 2020. The event was held at the Kumkoy Public Beach located in Aksu-Antalya, which is situated next to Blue Flag awarded beaches. Besides eight people from the TURCEV Antalya regional staff, representatives of the municipality of Aksu and officials of the Kundu Tourism Investors Union also participated in the event.

One of the requirements of the Marine Litter Watch initiative is to monitor littering in uncontrolled areas. This is why beaches situated close to Blue Flag beaches, which are not monitored but could potentially affect the image of Blue Flag beaches, have been chosen for the events. Therefore, considering the Marine Litter Watch application protocol, different 100-meter-long parts of uncontrolled non-Blue Flag beaches have been selected. This includes the Kumkoy Public Beach and the Sarigerme Beach in Ortaca-Mugla, which is placed between two different Blue Flag awarded beaches.

During the first survey at the Kumkoy Public Beach, waste was collected in about fifteen minutes by scanning the chosen area. Afterwards, the collected items were separated and registered according to their types. The most commonly collected items were: 121 pieces of cigarette butts, 64 pieces of plastic pet bottles, 36 pieces of single-use cutlery, 23 pieces of disposable face masks, disposable gloves and wet towels. The full list of items can be seen here.

At the second activity on the 17th of October 2020, 25 people from Blue Flag awarded beaches attended. These included representatives from Sarıgerme Çevre Eğitim Derneği-SARÇED, Hilton Dalaman Sarıgerme Resort, TT Hotels Tropical, TT Hotels Palace, Tui Blue Sarıgerme Park, Tui Magic Life Sarıgerme and Tui Blue Seno and TURCEV Mugla Regional Office Coordinator. Due to the significant number of participants, the collection of waste within the designated area was finished after only 30 minutes. Again, the waste was sorted by category, weighed and recorded according to the Marine Litter Watch excel template. The waste accumulated during the second event included: 1,103 pieces of plastics, 817 cigarette butts, 90 pieces of paper, 31 pieces of metals, 10 textile pieces, nine pieces of wood and six pieces of glass. Finally, the collected data was entered into the system of the Marine Litter Watch website and registered as a TURCEV Mavi Bayrak (Blue Flag Turkey) community activity. After approval from the EEA, the activity will be publicly displayed on the Marine Litter Watch map.

So far, Blue Flag Turkey has conducted two surveys. Another event is scheduled for the 27th of October in the Kocaeli Region.

School children in Brazil raise awareness about ocean littering issues

One year ago, participants of the “Onda Sustentável” (Sustainable Wave) project created a video with the public school students of Ubatuba in São Paulo, Brazil to raise awareness about the immense problem of ocean littering.

The “Onda Sustentáve” (Sustainable Wave) project is an environmental education project designed by Marina Kauai's Blue Flag Management Committee, together with Ilha Anchieta State Park Board, Coco e Cia Co-op, the Litoral Norte Marine Protected Area and the Commercial Association of Ubatuba, and was carried out as part of the Environmental Education activities required for marinas by the Blue Flag programme. Marina Kauai has been a Blue Flag marina since 2017 and is located in the city of Ubatuba in São Paulo, Brazil.

The main goal of the “Onda Sustentável” project is to raise environmental awareness in order to preserve the local biota and provide a connection between the local community, the natural environment and protected areas.

For this purpose, the kids of the Ubatuba public school have been learning about ocean littering topics in a playful and investigative way, including how to avoid buying material that can cause damage to the environment and the environmental effects of humans throwing trash on the street or in the sea.

The video that has been created as part of the project, therefore, addresses themes of “marine debris”, "waste disposal" and "conscious consumption" from the viewpoint of the public school students of Ubatuba. The idea was that the video would become a manifesto made by children, leaving them free to express their perceptions and desires based on what they have experienced and learned.

“In 2050, there will be more plastic than fish in the sea!”, “Did you know that when we throw cotton buds in the toilet, it can go to the sewage, from there to the rivers, and then to the sea?” and “If someone litters the beach sand, when the tide rises, this litter can navigate to the sea and to other beaches”, are some of the issues that the kids discuss in the video.

Finally, the children state their personal strong opinions about this urgent issue, while emphasizing that everyone can rethink their own habits. In addition, they express their wishes for the future: a clean ocean for people to swim in, and clean beaches for them to play on!

Thanks to the the voluntary work of André and Isabela Kerber, this video has now been equipped with subtitles, enabling it to be distributed globally.

Blue Flag declares a climate emergency

Blue Flag joins other leaders in the tourism industry to call for urgent action on the climate crisis through the Tourism Declares a Climate Emergency initiative.

A rehabilitated sea turtle is released back into the wild at the Blue Flag awarded Ħondoq ir-Rummien beach in Malta. Climate change is putting increased pressure on sea turtles, as rising ocean levels and stronger storms erode beaches and warming oceans change sea currents and destroy coral reef habitats. Photo: ©Nature Trust Malta

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, tourism was one of the fastest-growing industries in the world. According the UNWTO, there has been a 56-fold increase in international tourism since 1950. As more and more people set out to explore the world, they leave behind a larger and larger carbon footprint. Based on scholarly research published in the Nature Climate Change journal, tourism was responsible for 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions in 2018.

As a major player in the world economy, the tourism industry has the opportunity to play a significant role in the fight against climate change. Sustainable travel is becoming more sought after, as travellers recognise the need to balance their wanderlust with environmental responsibility. The trend is expected to continue as the world begins to open back up to travel; we have learned the hard way that humans need to be more thoughtful about how our actions affect the planet.

Our planet’s oceans absorb nearly a third of the carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere by human activity, according to the World Economic Forum, making them the second largest carbon sinks after forests. Additionally, coastal and marine environments are some of the most productive and biologically diverse ecosystems on the planet. These areas are also among the most popular tourism destinations in the world – drawing countless numbers of people for a holiday on the water.

Unfortunately, these beloved coastal and marine environments are also some of the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Blue Flag has been working to protect our coasts and oceans since 1987, and we have seen how the escalating threats associated with climate change can devastate these precious ecosystems. We acknowledge that, as the world’s largest sustainability award for beaches, marinas and tourism boats, Blue Flag has a responsibility to do what we can to take action on climate change and protect our coasts and oceans for future generations.

That is why we are proud to join over 100 other tourism organisations in the Tourism Declares a Climate Emergency initiative. As a signatory of Tourism Declares, we commit to the following five actions:

• Within the next year, we will develop and implement a ‘Climate Emergency Plan’. As part of our own strategic goals for the coming decade, Blue Flag has already begun to develop an action plan to scale-up climate action through the programme, including more thorough carbon reduction criteria for the 4.500+ Blue Flag sites around the world.

• We will publicly share this climate emergency declaration and keep our network updated about progress towards our goals.

• We accept the current IPCC advice stating the need to cut global carbon emissions by 55% below 2017 levels by 2030, in order to keep the planet within 1.5 degrees of pre-industrial warming levels. We will develop our Climate Emergency Plan with actions that work towards this goal.

• We will work together with our network to encourage others to sign the climate emergency declaration, share best practices and actively participate in efforts to reduce carbon emissions in the tourism industry.

• We will advocate for change. We recognise the need for system change across the tourism industry, and we will continue to grow our voice in the global dialogue about climate change to advocate for urgent climate action.

Please consider joining the Tourism Declares a Climate Emergency movement to add your voice to the call for climate action. Together we can harness the power of the tourism industry to create real and lasting positive change and protect the future of our planet!

News from our partner Pick a Pier: promoting a culture of sustainability as a sailor, boat builder, marina or marina support services.

Most of us have heard this sentence at some point in our lives: change starts from within. Travel, just like anything else now, is mostly local, and maybe, instead of being a restriction, it is actually a sign for the right opportunity for a conscious and positive change. 

Diving in Puerto Rico; Photocredit: OPAS-BFPR

It has been a year already since Greta Thunberg, a teenager from Sweden, has sailed across the Atlantic with her protest act to call for a fast reaction for climate change. Back then, we had no clue that a world-wide pandemic is approaching us to the point of strict regulations on our freedom to travel, whether it is flying, sailing or just going out to the city centre. 

The urgency of the situation forced us to shift our perspectives from a world-wide global mindset to a local mindset. In other words, we found ourselves constantly thinking about what we can do right here, right now, that would create the most positive impact and the least negative effects, on ourselves and those around us. 

Most of us have heard this sentence at some point in our lives: change starts from within. Travel, just like anything else now, is mostly local, and maybe, instead of being a restriction, it is actually a sign for the right opportunity for a conscious and positive change. We are given the perfect moment, as people, but also as marinas, businesses and sailors alike, to adopt sustainable practices and reduce the environmental impact of sailing. It is heartening to see the steps already taken and planned, as outlined in World Sailing's Sustainability Agenda 2030. 

We need to promote a culture of sustainability, where every one of us does our part to combat climate change, contribute to the health of the ecosystem and to preserve clean waters and biodiversity for future generations. Boatbuilding has taken on the challenge to reduce the environmental impact of materials and products, reducing the carbon footprint of production and making products largely recyclable. Sailors are committing to using cleaning products that don't negatively impact the environment, to proper waste disposal and thoughtful fishing and anchorage. 

Marinas and marina support services also need to play a part. Berth shortages have been felt in several countries for years. As boat size grows and new boats enter the market, pressure will grow to boost the availability of berths. We need to find solutions that will curtail the demand for construction to meet this need. Aside from the substantial financial costs, constructing new berths poses risks to coastal ecosystems and increases emissions. The sharing economy offers an opportunity to maximise the potential of each berth by making sure that tourist traffic is directed towards already vacant berths and by incentivising the sharing of information that will enable optimisation of resources. 

Thunberg's decision to sail from Europe to New York in order to attend the Climate Convention has also highlighted the opportunity that this movement offers. Sailing is a sustainable tourism industry, reducing or even eliminating travel's carbon footprint. Sailing promotes sustainability by encouraging tourism dispersal, moving away from overcrowded city centres to a wealth of locations along coastlines and rivers that are otherwise overlooked by many tourists.

Aging of marina's clientele has been a hot topic over the past decade. A sustainable tourism agenda offers an opportunity to target a younger generation of travellers, looking for new and sustainable experiences, who have yet to commit to sailing in the same way as their parents. In order to attract these customers, it is not enough to offer a great travel experience, we also have to meet service expectations, including the expectation of online bookings and member discounts. 

As sailors, we understand the need to control the rise in extreme weather and the importance of clean waters more than most. Let us join together to ensure that our children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren are also able to enjoy all that this great planet offers. 

Idan Cohen

The author is the Chairman of the Marine Innovation Association and a full member at ICOMIA, as well as the CEO of Pick a Pier, an innovative technology company that is creating the global standard for service-oriented and sustainable recreational maritime travel. Pick a Pier’s advanced technological solutions are designed to standardise, automate, and optimise maritime travel, in line with international travel tech standards. Pick a Pier facilitates marinas' digital transformation by optimising supply management and enabling boaters to extend their horizons and get anywhere-easier.

Blue Flag awarded to 27 beaches on the Belgian coast

Good news for all seaside visitors! On the 2nd of July, the Blue Flag was raised on 27 coastal beaches in Belgium. The Blue Flag is an international award for beaches, tourism boats and marinas that excel in quality and sustainability.

Copyright: Blue Flag Belgium

Until the day of the award ceremony, Belgium was almost the only European country without Blue Flag beaches on the coast. Thanks to the necessary interventions at the estuaries of the port channels of the water-treatment company Aquafin, as well as the efforts of the municipalities, the water quality has improved to such an extent that any coastal municipality is now eligible.

At the beginning of July, GoodPlanet Belgium, Tourism Flanders and Aquafin therefore officially raised the first Blue Flag at the Twins Club in Bredene, in the presence of the Mayors and the Minister.

I am convinced that this award will strengthen the positive image and reputation of the tourist destination Flanders nationally and internationally, and make Flanders even better known as a high quality and sustainable travel destination

says Flemish Minister of Tourism, Zuhal Demir.

Worldwide, there are 4.664 Blue Flag sites in 46 countries. However, a beach or marina does not get the Blue Flag award effortlessly. Locations that apply for the award are assessed by an external controller, an independent Belgian jury and an independent international jury. 

Fun in the water is the highlight of a day at the beach. Water purifier Aquafin is happy to support the Blue Flag award because a clean sea makes it clear why all those sewerage works are necessary for Flanders. Because in the end, all the water flows in the sea. The operators, who keep the water purification plants on the coast running, ensure that you can enjoy yourself as a family without having to worry about water quality,

says Valerie Lievens, communications manager at Aquafin.

However, the guidelines of the Blue Flag award include much more than regulations concerning clean swimming water. Each location also complies with strict standards concerning safety, general services and accessibility (for example, the presence of lifeguards, first aid equipment and the availability of drinking water, amongst others), environmental and sustainability management (such as a clean beach with possibilities to sort waste, clean toilets etc.) information about water quality, local nature reserves as well as an information board with a general map.  

Currently, there are twelve beaches and seven marinas in Belgium that already received the Blue Flag award in recent years and will continue to follow the regulations of the award in 2020. 

Contact

Jorine Vermeer, Project Manager Blue Flag
+32 473 13 45 76 | blueflag@goodplanet.be

 Valerie Lievens, Manager of Communication Aquafin
+32 476 96 79 45 |valerie.lievens@aquafin.be

Stef Gits, Spokesperson Tourism Flanders
+32 486 22 67 95 | stef.gits@toerismevlaanderen.be

 Andy Pieters, Spokesperson & Deputy Head of Cabinet Flemish Minister Zuhal Demir
+32 499 17 35 84 | andy.pieters@vlaanderen.be

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The National Blue Flag Award Ceremony in Turkey kick-off the 2020 Blue Flag season

The Turkish National Blue Flag Award Ceremony for the 2020 season was held on the 17th July on Cesme Ilica Public Beach, located in the region of Izmir, Turkey.

Photo ©: Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s media

The Blue Flag award is widely recognised in Turkey. Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism Mr. Mehmet Nuri Ersoy participated to the ceremony and highlighted during his speech the importance of the Blue Flag award for Turkish beaches: "The Ministry gives a strong importance to Blue Flag and is working hard to increase the number of awarded beaches among the country”.

Photo ©: Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s media

The Minister also underlined the commitment of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism to providing more information and education to the travel industry and municipalities in order to contribute to the development of sustainable tourism. Finally, an extensive development plan has been announced to develop the country’s beach facilities and improve treatment plants - key criteria to receive the Blue Flag award.

Photo ©: Mr. Orkun Kalonya from Cesme Municipality

In total for the 2020 season, 508 sites in Turkey are Blue Flag awarded - 486 beaches and 22 marinas.

Gozo Blue Flag beach event raises awareness about water and beach pollution in Malta

Friday 26th June 2020 was a special day at the Blue Flag awarded Hondoq ir-Rummien beach in Gozo, Malta. Different activities were organised by Nature Trust – FEE Malta to raise awareness about water and beach pollution.

The day started with volunteers cleaning up the beach - handpicking cigarette butts and small pieces of plastic from the sand and between the pebbles.

In the meantime, a group of divers made an underwater clean-up of the area.

The cleanup was followed by a presentation from the Gozo College Middle School Eco-Schools team about their GLOBE project to the two Ministers in attendance, the Minister of Gozo Clint Camilleri and the Minister of the Environment Aaron Farrugia. The students started the project from the same beach last November by collecting plastic litter and subsequently collecting data on the effects of plastic litter on sea water temperature and pH value.

Back in January, a turtle had been rescued by the Wildlife Rescue Team from the town of Marsalforn, another beach north of the island, after being spotted entangled in fishing debris, and was cared for by Nature Trust Malta. The turtle, named Jenna, was tagged and released in good health back into the sea on the day of the beach cleanup, much to the pleasure of all the students and adults present.

You can access the video of the turtle going back into the sea here.

Images copyright: Anita Muscat/Nature Trust - FEE Malta

Werner & Mertz for a sustainable transformation of our post-COVID 19 world

Green Key’s and Blue Flag’s partner Werner & Mertz Professional urges for a stronger focus on sustainability in our post-COVID 19 world and supports their clients in being part of this transformation.

©Werner & Mertz

These days, our society is facing unprecedented challenges – during and after the crisis. Being a producer of sustainable cleaning product solutions, Werner & Mertz’s is one of the companies that had the immediate chance to help stem the pandemic and took this important social responsibility very seriously. Since weeks, the company is prioritising the production of disinfectants and clients that need them most such as hospitals, nursing homes, government agencies of outstanding importance for national security and food retailer.

As people currently clean more frequently and intensively than before, it is even more important to use sustainable and biodegradable detergents without toxic substances thus avoiding further unnecessary burdens for people and the environment. As special emphasis is now placed on the cleaning of surfaces in exterior or public areas. Whether disinfecting certain surfaces outside healthcare facilities is required at all should be decided on a case-by-case basis, depending on the actual contamination of the surfaces. To support their clients and partners with reopening their businesses with the right cleaning practices, Werner & Mertz developed cleaning & hygiene guidelines for their clients.

German Environmental Award winner and owner of Werner & Mertz, Reinhard Schneider, appealed for a sustainable transformation instead of retro liberalism in post-corona era in a press release published on 3 June. He vouches for a stronger focus on circular economy principles when rebuilding the economy as the long supply chains were particularly prone to disruption during the time of the crisis. Werner & Mertz itself is a front-runner in terms of circularity, with many of their products being certified with the ‘Cradle-to-Cradle’ standard.

Being a family-owned company, Werner & Mertz is also dedicated to the social side of sustainability and gives back to the community wherever they can. In June, the company donated approximately 170 pallets of more than 80,000 sustainable ‘Frosch’ brand household cleaners, dishwashing and laundry detergents to Tafel centers throughout the country, providing the customers of the Tafel with the necessary means to keep their homes clean and safe. The Tafel is a non-profit organisation in Germany supporting people in need with food and other daily supplies.

A Blue Flag beach in the large tourist city of Odessa, Ukraine, democratically won the "Best Beach of Odessa" award

Odessa is the third most populous city of Ukraine, and a major tourism center, seaport and transport hub located on the northwestern shore of the Black Sea. The award ceremony called "National Recognition/ People’s Vote - Odessa of the Year" is held every year to award regional leaders in the south-western part of Ukraine for their work in a broad range of categories from glamour and culture to politics and business. The project, which was founded in 2001, is carried out by the South Ukrainian Media Holding (UMH) and is one of the most ambitious and socially significant in the south of Ukraine.

Last December 2019 was the launch of the first edition of the "Best Beach of Odessa" award and the Blue Flag awarded Caleton Beach was declared the winner by the public’s vote. Its owner, Yuri Degas, went on stage to receive the award consisting of an honorary diploma and a cup that were handed to him by Tatyana Markova, Director of the Department of Culture and Tourism of Odessa City Council.

Pictures copyright: www.048.ua

Keeping the momentum of the 2020 UN Ocean Conference

The overarching theme of the 2020 UN Ocean Conference this year is "Scaling up Ocean Action based on science and innovation for the implementation of Goal 14: stocktaking, partnerships and solutions", calling for science-based innovative solutions to amplify global ocean action. The conference was supposed to take place in Lisbon, Portugal from the 2nd to 6th of June, and Blue Flag International had planned to attend. Unfortunately, it has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the new dates will be announced at a later time. Despite the postponement, we would like to keep the momentum going and share Blue Flag’s contributions to the protection of the ocean and marine resources and to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The ocean covers 70 percent of the Earth’s surface, is the planet's largest biosphere, and is home to up to 80 percent of all life on Earth. It generates oxygen, absorbs carbon dioxide emissions, is a vital buffer against the impacts of climate change, nurtures biodiversity and is essential to human well-being and livelihoods. This is why the ocean’s protection against unsustainable human activities is essential to limit the depletion of marine resources and pass on a more sustainable world to future generations.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted by the United Nations in 2015 set 17 transformative goals to be reached by 2030. Goal number 14 “Life Below Water” stresses the need to conserve and sustainably use the world’s oceans, seas and marine resources. Blue Flag International is strongly committed to supporting the UN SDGs by promoting sustainability in the tourism sector, and contributes to their achievement through environmental education, environmental protection and other sustainable development practices.

Blue Flag’s influence is growing every year, with currently more than 4,500 Blue Flag awarded beaches, marinas and tourism boats in 47 countries around the world. Blue Flag also campaigns against disparity, inequality, unemployment, health threats, depletion of natural resources, environmental threats, pollution and general environmental degradation. One of the latest examples of Blue Flag’s contribution to the SDGs was the inauguration of the first Blue Flag Best Practice competition in 2020 on the theme of pollution. The competition was created to highlight the best examples of environmental protection practices implemented by Blue Flag sites around the world.

You can access all of the Best Practices implemented by Blue Flag sites here: https://www.blueflag.global/best-practices

To read more about how Blue Flag engages with and contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals : https://www.blueflag.global/sdgs-blueflag

To get more information about the UN Ocean Conference: https://www.un.org/en/conferences/ocean2020

Blue Flag first for Åland Islands marinas!

On Tuesday the 21st of April, the Blue Flag International Jury met online to evaluate more than 4,500 beaches, marinas and tourism boats in the Northern Hemisphere that have applied for a Blue Flag for the 2020 season.

Images Copyright : Visit Åland

All Blue Flag sites are reviewed annually and awarded the Blue Flag for the duration of an operating season, which can last up to a full year. The International Jury reviews the applicants twice a year, in April for Northern Hemisphere countries and in September for Southern Hemisphere countries. This year, due to the COVID-19 crisis, the Blue Flag International Jury met online on Tuesday the 21st of April to evaluate the 2020 Northern Hemisphere candidates. Extensive preparation by the Blue Flag International team ensured that the online format did not interfere with the meeting’s quality and outcomes.

A highlight of the International Jury meeting was the decision to award the first Blue Flags in the Åland Islands to five marinas that meet Blue Flag’s standards of excellence in sustainability and environmental management. The Åland Islands is an archipelago of over 6,500 islands and skerries off the southwest coast of Finland that draws tourists with its wealth of history, natural beauty and outdoor activities.

The 2020 Blue Flag International Jury was composed of Peter Kristensen representing the European Environment Agency, David R. Green for the Coastal & Marine Union (EUCC), Birguy Lamizana representing the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Sophie Lewis for the World Cetacean Alliance, Bernard Combes for UNESCO, Jean-Michel Gaigné representing the International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA), Erik Bech for the International Life Saving (ILS) Federation, Dirk Glaesser for the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Ivor Ambrose and Katerina Papamichail representing the European
Network for Accessible Tourism and Lourdes Diaz representing the FEE Board of Directors.

This year’s meeting demonstrated once again each Jury member’s strong commitment to the Blue Flag programme. Blue Flag International would like to reiterate its appreciation for their continued dedication, which ensures that all of the awarded sites worldwide represent the same level of excellence. The quality of applications and high level of standards continue to improve every year. As a result, there are more and more sites around the world that meet the rigorous criteria necessary to qualify for the Blue Flag award.

In addition to evaluating the Northern Hemisphere sites, the International Jury reviewed presentations from new countries that have been working to implement the Blue Flag programme in the near future. These candidates that are expected to join the Blue Flag network soon include Argentina, Chile, India and mainland Finland.

The list of 2020 Blue Flag awarded sites will be announced on the 10th of June. Before this date, Blue Flag International will announce the three winners of the inaugural Best Practices Competition. The theme of the 2020 competition is pollution, and the winners were chosen by the International Jury after evaluating the rest of the Northern Hemisphere applications.

The International Jury acknowledges that the worldwide COVID-19 crisis is going to impact the upcoming Blue Flag season in the Northern Hemisphere, and asks that all Blue Flag sites place local and national health guidelines above all other considerations. In these uncertain times, we must remember the important role that the Blue Flag plays in helping local communities and tourists identify safe and sustainable destinations. Thanks to the recognized excellence of the Blue Flag award, the public can be assured that it is safe to visit the sites when the Blue Flag is flying.

Travel diary #2: Terry in India

After South Africa, Terry continued its journey to India in January and February 2020. The launch of Terry’s journey was done during the Blue Flag assessment workshop conducted by the beach managers in Rushikonda in the state of Andhra Pradesh on the East coast of India. The main theme of this journey was waste management.

Terry assisted to specific cleaning activities on the beaches which included picking up and sorting out the waste. Terry also assisted to litter prevention campaigns targeting the tourists on the beaches in the states of Odhisha and Gujarat, respectively located on the East and West coast of India.

Unfortunately, due to the coronavirus pandemic, Terry’s journey has been slowed down and like everyone else, Terry has to stay home until further notice to keep oneself and its beloved ones safe.

But don’t worry, Terry will come back soon. Stay tuned for the next adventures!

Sustainable practices by Blue Flag's beach management body in Huatulco, Mexico

The Blue Flag awarded beach Tangolunda Beach is located in Oaxaca, Mexico. Its management body, the beach resort Dreams Huatulco Resort & Spa, is being involved in many environmental activities and play an important role in the conservation and protection of the ecosystem.

Among others, Dreams and Secrets Huatulco Resort & Spa is now part of the Advisory Board of Huatulco National Park. The management body of the resort is also developing an integrated waste management system.

Last but not least, the beach resort’s hotel employees are part of Huatulco Wildlife Assistance Committee, whose aim is to act in case of emergencies, incidents and risks related to wildlife in Huatulco.

The committee is composed of veterinarians, biologists and volunteers and its goal is to rescue intoxicated marine animals. One of the main example of intoxication is due to the algae dinoflagellates, a marine plankton whose rapid accumulation can produce toxins harmful to marine live.

All these practices help to path the way towards a more sustainable and more environmentally friendly way of doing business and a great example of flying high the Blue Flag.

Pictures copyright: Dreams & Secrets Huatulco Resorts & Spa

First Sustainable Vacation Camp in Peró Beach, Brazil

In January 2020 in Peró Beach, Brazil, children and teenagers from 6 to 17 years old had the possibility to follow the free activities organised by the Blue Flag Programme in Praia do Peró, the Escola do Mar Institute (Iemar) and the Projeto Marola.

The activities carried out were about environmental education, transformation of garbage into art, prevention of drowning and safety at sea, sandboarding with Rafael Marendino and games about sustainability.

The activity took place in the Blue Flag awarded area, close to the lifeguard post and also included a tribute to the local authority team, the distribution of t-shirts and the explanation of what is Blue Flag as well as why it is important to have an international seal.

The event was supported by the Brazilian Ministry of the Environment (MMA) through the Environmental and Territorial Management Directory, as well as through the MMA Programme for the Fight against Sea Garbage, from the State Environment Institute (Inea) and the Costa do Sol State Park (PECS).

“The integration of kids together with nature is very positive. Promoting leisure from a sustainable perspective is one of the proposals of the Blue Flag programme and Peró Beach is a perfect setting for this! I am sure that children and young people enjoy unforgettable moments during their summer activities”

— Mayor Dr. Adriano Moreno.

Sustainable Blue Flag bags to fight modern-day slavery

Blue Flag National Operator and partners in Israel received bags made from Blue Flag old beach flags thanks to a social enterprise offering employment to people in need.  

While promoting sustainability in the tourism industry, Blue Flag also campaigns against disparity, inequality, unemployment or other Sustainable Development Goals-related issues. Recently, Blue Flag in Israel cooperated with KitePride, a social enterprise employing people exiting human trafficking and modern-day slavery to turn material that was considered trash into beautiful bags.

 This social business based in Tel Aviv makes a difference by giving people and material a second wind and aims to eradicate modern-day slavery in an environmentally sustainable way. If it usually repurposes materials from kitesurfing kites, parachutes, sails and wetsuits to create lightweight and durable bags, it provided Blue Flag Israeli members and partners with Blue Flag bags made from old beach flags.  

 Blue Flag is delighted to have been associated with this twofold solution restoring the lives of women and men exiting human trafficking while upcycling material headed for the trash. Blue Flag beach flags can now start their new life as beautiful, lightweight and durable bags!

Pick a Pier and Blue Flag announce partnership

The partnership will provide a huge boost to the maritime environmental agenda. Blue Flag, one of the world’s most recognised voluntary awards for beaches, marinas, and boating tourism operators that adhere to environmental guidelines. Pick a Pier, an innovative startup, utilizes advanced technology to design innovative and eco-friendly solutions for marinas and boaters around the globe.

The focus of the partnership will be on promoting a culture of sustainability in the recreational boating industry. The partnership aims to advance technological solutions that will reduce the environmental impact of marinas and maritime businesses, encourage environmentally friendly behaviors among sailors, and reward sustainable businesses with greater visibility and recognition.

Pick a Pier's platform will enable sailors to easily identify Blue Flag accredited marinas when planning their sailing trip and keep them informed of best practices to preserve the maritime environment. The partnership will also promote a Sustainable Sailing Code of Conduct.  Together, Blue Flag and Pick a Pier will supply the industry with the data on the tangible benefits of sustainable practices.

"Pick a Pier shares Blue Flag's commitment to keep our waters clean and blue," said Pick a Pier CEO Idan Cohen, "this partnership will encourage businesses and sailors to work together to reduce the environmental impact of sailing, and will demonstrate the benefits of sustainable practices at sea. Unlike other tourism industries, sailing has the potential to be carbon neutral. We are excited to be leading the industry towards a sustainable future, combining a customer-centric experience and an advanced supply management technology with environmental awareness.

“Blue Flag is proud to be partnering with a company that combines excellent customer service with an environmentally friendly agenda. We are reaching through this partnership a wide audience from marinas to sailors, which will support our goals in raising awareness about coastal sustainability,” adds Sophie Bachet Granados, Blue Flag International Director.

About Pick a Pier

Pick a Pier was founded in 2017 and developed a digital platform that utilizes Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence to design the technological future of marinas. Pick a Pier's goal is to optimise the use of marina berths to promote sustainable sailing, maritime tourism, and innovate and implement new strategies that increase the profitability and environmental practices of the marina industry.

About Blue Flag

Blue Flag is one of the world’s most recognised voluntary awards for beaches, marinas, and tourism boats. To qualify for the Blue Flag, a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety, and accessibility criteria must be met and maintained.

The Blue Flag programme is internationally managed by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), an international non-profit charity.

Blue Flag has National Operators (national FEE member organisations) in more than 45 countries in charge of managing Blue Flag at the national level. Currently, Blue Flag has awarded more than 4,500 establishments (beaches, marinas, boats) in 47 countries.

Together against marine litter: Blue Flag and green care PROFESSIONAL partner to tackle ocean pollution

Blue Flag has entered a partnership with the Werner & Mertz Professional eco-brand green care PROFESSIONAL to fight ocean pollution. By joining forces, the partners want to generate a greater appreciation for the coastal environment as well as to increase awareness of circular and microplastic-free packaging.

As of the start of 2020, green care PROFESSIONAL is the official partner of the non-profit Blue Flag international programme. Blue Flag dedicates its actions to promoting sustainability in the coastal tourism sector by working with beaches, marinas and tourism boats.

The primary purpose of this partnership is the organisations’ mutual commitment to working proactively to conquer ocean and coastline pollution. The partnership between green care PROFESSIONAL and Blue Flag is a natural fit for two organisations who value Blue Flag’s vision of “Pure water, clean coasts, safety and access for all”. Green care PROFESSIONAL supports clean oceans and coastlines by producing sustainable and ecological cleaning products using packaging that is made 100% from post-consumer waste, is microplastic-free and is fully recyclable.

Green care PROFESSIONAL will support Blue Flag in their mission to educate the public about the dangers of ocean and coastal pollution. The company will also offer its unique products to help businesses achieve the goal of using cleaning products that are safe for people and the environment.

The common mission is to join forces to promote a sustainable and circular economy in the coastal-related tourism sector. “Not only is global pollution a problem and climate change anyone’s concern – it will also destroy the business foundation of touristic businesses around the world – nature – if not tackled now”, says Frank Vancraeyveld (CEO of Werner & Mertz Professional).

Werner & Mertz is a pioneer when it comes to one of the most important issues regarding ocean pollution: recycling. All green care PROFESSIONAL products provide the highest eco-efficiency and performance and lower the environmental footprint by using 100% recycled packaging and regional organic and renewable raw materials. With their intelligent microplastic-free packaging made entirely of recycled post-consumer plastic waste, Werner & Mertz really contributes to reducing the pollution of the seas and coasts. But they don’t stop at sustainable products and packaging – they work to ensure sustainability along the entire production and value chain. Plant-based raw materials, renewable energy and recycled water are all key components of their responsible production process.

One of the key goals of the partnership between Blue Flag and green care PROFESSIONAL is to raise public awareness of the importance of clean oceans and coastlines through education and information. “We educate to protect. To protect not just our environment but the people who live in it, the communities who depend on it, the businesses who profit from it and the ecosystems which rely on it”, says Sophie Bachet Granados (International Blue Flag Director).

A useful way of demonstrating the positive changes that can be made by choosing the right cleaning products is the green care performance calculator (get.wmprof.com). This calculator shows how much plastic, crude oil and CO2 an establishment can save just by choosing a circular-designed product where reuse, recycling and renewable energies and materials are the focus.

As of the start of 2020, green care PROFESSIONAL is the official partner of the non-profit Blue Flag international programme. Blue Flag dedicates its actions to promoting sustainability in the coastal tourism sector by working with beaches, marinas and tourism boats.

The primary purpose of this partnership is the organisations’ mutual commitment to working proactively to conquer ocean and coastline pollution. The partnership between green care PROFESSIONAL and Blue Flag is a natural fit for two organisations who value Blue Flag’s vision of “Pure water, clean coasts, safety and access for all”. Green care PROFESSIONAL supports clean oceans and coastlines by producing sustainable and ecological cleaning products using packaging that is made 100% from post-consumer waste, is microplastic-free and is fully recyclable.

Green care PROFESSIONAL will support Blue Flag in their mission to educate the public about the dangers of ocean and coastal pollution. The company will also offer its unique products to help businesses achieve the goal of using cleaning products that are safe for people and the environment.

The common mission is to join forces to promote a sustainable and circular economy in the coastal-related tourism sector. “Not only is global pollution a problem and climate change anyone’s concern – it will also destroy the business foundation of touristic businesses around the world – nature – if not tackled now”, says Frank Vancraeyveld (CEO of Werner & Mertz Professional).

Werner & Mertz is a pioneer when it comes to one of the most important issues regarding ocean pollution: recycling. All green care PROFESSIONAL products provide the highest eco-efficiency and performance and lower the environmental footprint by using 100% recycled packaging and regional organic and renewable raw materials. With their intelligent microplastic-free packaging made entirely of recycled post-consumer plastic waste, Werner & Mertz really contributes to reducing the pollution of the seas and coasts. But they don’t stop at sustainable products and packaging – they work to ensure sustainability along the entire production and value chain. Plant-based raw materials, renewable energy and recycled water are all key components of their responsible production process.

One of the key goals of the partnership between Blue Flag and green care PROFESSIONAL is to raise public awareness of the importance of clean oceans and coastlines through education and information. “We educate to protect. To protect not just our environment but the people who live in it, the communities who depend on it, the businesses who profit from it and the ecosystems which rely on it”, says Sophie Bachet Granados (International Blue Flag Director).

A useful way of demonstrating the positive changes that can be made by choosing the right cleaning products is the green care performance calculator (get.wmprof.com). This calculator shows how much plastic, crude oil and CO2 an establishment can save just by choosing a circular-designed product where reuse, recycling and renewable energies and materials are the focus.

About Blue Flag:

Blue Flag is an international programme headquartered in Copenhagen (Denmark), operated by the Foundation for Environmental Education and is one of the most recognized voluntary award for beaches. The programme dedicates all its actions to promoting sustainability in the tourism sector of the coastal environment. The Blue Flag award is a leading standard awarding beaches, marinas and tourism boats which meet their comprehensive and strict criteria in terms of environmental management, safety for people and environment, accessibility and education. The high standards that are expected of the businesses that aim to achieve this prestigious award are maintained through rigorous documentation and frequent control visits.

About green care PROFESSIONAL:

green care PROFESSIONAL is one of the leading brands for sustainable professional cleaning products with EU Ecolabel and Cradle-to-Cradle® product certifications. The German-based manufacturer of cleaning chemicals, Werner & Mertz Professional, has the reputation of being a pioneer of Circular Economy for a long time. The key philosophy is the cradle to cradle principle which stands for a sustainable and regenerative material stream design according to the motto “Take – make – regenerate”. This means that the raw materials are reprocessed in a continuous biological and technical cycle to create a real eco effectiveness. Therefore Werner & Mertz not only reduces plastic waste but transforms it into a never-ending resource that doesn’t leave the production cycle. 70 green care PROFESSIONAL© products are eco-labelled and 40 are Cradle-to-Cradle® certified – the leading international label for circular product design.