uMhlanga pride swells with pilot status

THE uMhlanga Main Beach is one step closer to regaining the prestigious Blue Flag Status after it was granted the pilot status for the annual Blue Flag programme, the uMhlanga Urban Improvement Precinct (UIP) revealed yesterday. A Blue Flag is a trusted and voluntary eco-label, which signifies safety, security and cleanliness. 

The popular public recreational area is one of 25 sites within South Africa that has been awarded the pilot phase status by the Wildlife and Environmental Society of South Africa (WESSA) at the recent launch event of the blue flag season at the at Thesen Islands Marina in Knysna. The season will officially open on Saturday, 1 November.

An additional 82 sites in South Africa, including 45 beaches, six marinas, six whale-watching sites as well as private and commercial boats, were awarded the full Blue Flag status.

To receive the Blue Flag status the site has to adhere to more than 33 strict coastal management criteria, such as superior water quality, safety and services, environmental management, and environmental education.

Criticism from the former municipal manager, Michael Sutcliffe, caused Durban to withdraw from the programme in 2008. According to Sutcliffe the standards of the programme were inconsistent and the research done on water quality was inconclusive.

The programme was implemented in South Africa in 2001, through WESSA, but has been running internationally for 28 years. It’s  aim is to facilitate and raise awareness about coastal and marine conservation.