Beaches in line for Blue Flags
Gonubie, Kidds beaches among 22 on list nationally
TWO East London beaches are in the pilot phase of obtaining coveted Blue Flag status. Gonubie and Kidds beaches will be among 22 beaches listed nationally as Blue Flag pilot sites on the road to becoming fully accredited recreational destinations.
Blue Flag is an international award given to beaches and marinas that meet excellence in the areas of safety, amenities, cleanliness and a set of environmental standards.
The strict criteria of the programme are set by the international coordinators of the Blue Flag campaign in Europe, the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).
Beaches that fly the Blue Flag have also been judged to have good water quality; promote environmental education, supply good information; practise excellent environmental management; and have good safety and other services.
In South Africa, the programme is managed by the Wildlife and Environmental Society of South Africa (Wessa), along with participating local authorities.
The Blue Flag season runs for a full year, usually from November 1 to October 31, before assessments are done again.
Buffalo City Metro spokesman Samkelo Ngwenya said the city was pleased with the progress.
“The city is currently assessing the status of the beaches and we will decide in due course on [whether we will be] applying for Blue Flag status.
“We are generally pleased with our progress and while the Blue Flag will give us a boost, what is key for us is to maintain a high standard of safety, cleanliness and security at all our beaches,” he said.
Gonubie beach in the past gained pilot Blue Flag status in 2004 but lost it in 2007. However, it regained it in 2009.
Should BCM’s two beaches obtain Blue Flag status, the province’s total number of Blue Flag beaches will rise to seven.
According to the Wessa website, the 2017-18 Blue Flag beaches are Hobie, Humewood and Kings beaches in Port Elizabeth, which were awarded the status earlier this month at the national launch of South Africa’s Blue Flag campaign held in Jeffreys Bay.
The others are Hamburg, Kelly’s in Port Alfred and Kariega beach at Kenton-on-Sea, all along the Sunshine Coast.
Jeffreys Bay’s Dolphin Beach also received Blue Flag status and was the first beach to hoist its flag as part of the launch.
Wessa national coastal coordinator Robert Slater said they were happy to have BCM moving towards improving their beaches.
“This shows that the city is striving towards excellence because there is a strict criteria to meet and once they make it through the pilot phase, they can then apply for Blue Flag status,” Slater said.
“This is usually done by testing the water quality.
“They [the city] have recognised that wanting to work towards improving their beaches and promote tourism and attract people to the area is a good thing,” he said. — oreillya@tisoblackstar.co.za