Blue Flag status for Cape beaches
7 October 2004
Two Cape Town beaches on opposite sides of the Peninsula will this year be accorded full "Blue Flag" status, an international label for the best managed and safest beach.
"The Blue Flag status can be equated with a five-star rating for a hotel," said Desiree Galant, director of community facilities for the City of Cape Town.
Galant said Mnandi beach and Clifton's Fourth beach were selected.
A third entry, Bikini beach, near Gordon's Bay, narrowly failed because the ablution facilities were being upgraded when the beaches were rated.
Galant said all three beaches were run as Blue Flag pilot sites last year.
For the 2004-2005 financial year, the city will run Muizenberg, Strandfontein, Camps Bay and Bikini beaches as pilot Blue Flag beaches, and apply for full status the following year if successful.
"Starting this year, the city will attempt to have 15 Blue Flag beaches within five years," said Galant.
The
Blue Flag is awarded to local authorities for more than 2 900 beaches and marinas in 24 countries across Europe and South Africa where environmental protection is a high priority in site management and information.
The Blue Flag campaign works towards sustainable development at the beaches and marinas through strict criteria dealing with water quality, environmental education and information, environmental management, and safety and other services.
The beaches that are awarded the Blue Flag status need to have proper lifesaving and security infrastructure, added Galant.
Source: Blue Flag Campaign website
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