A of Blue Flags over Plett
PLETTENBERG BAY - Plett has scored a bonanza in Blue Flag beaches, an internationally recognised accolade that is bestowed on the world's top beach tourist destinations.
The Blue Flag status certificates were handed out by Wessa (the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa) during an elaborate ceremony held at Lookout Beach on Thursday 3 November. It was fitting that Plett and the Bitou Council hosted the event as five beaches in Bitou were declared Blue Flag, only one fewer than the City of Cape Town, with six. This underscores the fact that Plettenberg Bay is one of South Africa's most sought-after beach holiday destinations with Robberg 5, The Waves, Nature's Valley, Lookout Beach, The Dunes and Singing Kettle, all featuring.
In addition Plett can boast the only two boat-related Blue Flag awards in South Africa, belonging to Offshore Adventures. Blue Flags are awarded annually by Wessa in recognition of their excellence in safety, amenities, cleanliness and environmental standards and entrenches them as ecotourism destinations. The Blue Flag is flown at the various beaches to indicate compliance with the standards.
Shark action group
Bitou Mayor Dave Swart said the fact that the Blue Flag is voluntary, shows commitment to environmental sustainability from the municipalities that participate in the programme.
Swart stressed, in view of the recent shark attacks in Plett, how important ocean safety and information is for the public. He said sharks are always present in the waters along the coast and the recent incidents highlighted to the Bitou Municipality and tourism businesses the need for relevant information on beach and ocean safety to be made available to the public. This had led to the creation of the Plett Shark Action Group, which includes a group of local experts. It is working closely with the Shark Spotter programme, which has been successful in monitoring shark activity to protect bathers in Cape Town.
"There has also been changes in signage and information in Bitou as part of the Plettenberg Bay Ocean Smart campaign," said Swart. This programme provides information to beach users on rip tides, sharks and other information about the sea relevant to public safety. "All this fits in well with the objectives of the Blue Flag initiative," said Swart.
Competing with the best
Helena Atkinson, CEO of Wessa, said South Africa is proud to be one of 48 countries implementing this internationally recognised eco-label. There are 5 042 Blue Flag
beaches, marinas and tourism boats around the world. She thanked the Department of Tourism for growing the Blue Flag initiative with Wessa and municipalities. "It is truly through this relationship that we can maintain and grow the Blue Flag Programme in our country and thereby compete with the world's best," said Atkinson.
Jaco Kruger, owner of Offshore Adventures, whose two boats are certified Blue Flag vessels, said being part of the Blue Flag process "made good business sense". Patty Butterworth, CEO of the Plett Tourism Association, said Plett is an outdoor playground that, with its amazing coastline, world-class beaches, waterways and indigenous forests "is internationally recognised as a tourist hotspot".
The Robberg Nature Reserve, from where
tourists sometimes see shark activity, is a Unesco World Heritage Site and home to Nelson's Cave, part of the Cradle of Human Culture.
Garden Route Blue Flags
In all, 13 out of the 51 South African Blue Flag beaches are along the Garden Route: five in Mossel Bay, two in George and six in Bitou (Plettenberg Bay). Knysna missed out on Blue Flag beaches, but managed a certificate in the marina section for Thesen Harbour Town and for the residential marina, Thesens Island.
Other Garden Route beaches that received certificates are:
Mossel Bay – De Bakke, Hartenbos, Klein Brak, Santos and Glentana; George – Wilderness and Herold's Bay.