In all a total of 41 beaches have been awarded Blue Flag status in South Africa this year, along with five marinas, two whale-watching boats, one commercial boat and one private boat.
A further seven additional beaches have been given pilot Blue Flag site status.
It is expected that uMhlanga and Westbrook beaches will be put forward next year for pilot status. The Blue Flag Programme has been running internationally for 27 years and is designed to raise environmental awareness and increase sound environmental practices among tourists, local populations and beach management.
“As a city, it makes sense to re-join slowly. Unfortunately our water quality (sea) is polluted in some places. Generally, the northern beaches are in a better state,” DA councillor, Geoff Pullan explained.
He added the pros included a commitment by municipal officials to keep each beach up to international standards, as well as an educational tool for beachgoers.”
“I am delighted with Durban re-entering the Blue Flag programme. The challenge for our officials is to get eMdloti up to the standard required,” he said.
Urban Improvement Precinct (UIP) project manager, Brian Wright, agreed with Pullan.
“With the municipality phasing in the Blue Flag beaches, this will allow time to improve infrastructure and management systems to improve water quality run-off from stormwater drains,” Wright said.
“The biggest benefit is that the programme takes a holistic approach to improving the overall experience of visiting the beach.”
Minister of Tourism, Martinus van Schalkwyk, gave his full support, and that of the government, for the Blue Flag Programme. He commended the programme for having substance, a proper framework and much detail, saying that Blue Flag status is not achieved easily.
Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) national coastal programme manager, Ted Knott, said for beaches to achieve Blue Flag status, 33 main criteria spanning four aspects of coastal management have to be met, which included water quality, environmental education and information, environmental management and safety and services.
“If we can succeed in having all of our coastal municipalities involved in the Blue Flag Programme and simultaneously ensure that the International Standards of the Programme are maintained, then we can rest assured that our coast is being effectively managed; and marine and coastal biodiversity is being conserved,” Knott said.
