Five Blue Flags for Mossel Bay
Fifty-one beaches in South Africa have achieved Blue Flag status, including these beaches in the greater Mossel Bay area: De Bakke, Hartenbos, Little Brak, Santos and Glentana.
De Bakke Beach in Mossel Bay is among only three beaches in South Africa that have been awarded Blue Flag status for 10 consecutive years.
Mossel Bay mayor, Alderman Dirk Kotzé said: “We are thrilled to have De Bakke beach among the top achievers in the country. It makes our town all the more marketable as a preferred destination.
"This pristine beach was also the scene of the Isuzu Ironman 70.3 triathlon transitions last weekend.
"The award is proof of sustainable service delivery standards from local government’s side, which is something the municipality actively pursues with its Grow strategy, pertaining to growing governance, the environment and ultimately, our local economy.”
Garden Route
In all, 13 out of the 51 South African Blue
Flag beaches are on the Garden Route: five in Mossel Bay, two in George and six in Bitou (Plettenberg Bay).
Knysna missed out on Blue Flag statuss, but managed a certificate in the marina section for Thesen Harbour Town and for the residential marina, Thesens Island.
The iconic Blue Flag is the world's most recognised voluntary eco-label awarded to beaches, marinas and tourism operators.
The Blue Flag Programme started in France in 1985 and was implemented in Europe since 1987. South Africa joined in 2001 along with other countries outside of Europe.
Helena Atkinson, the CEO of The Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (Wessa), said 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.