Two beaches in Stilbaai – Lappiesbaai and Preekstoel – have been awarded Blue Flag status for the 2016/17 season which officially opens on November 1st, 2016 while the Stilbaai West beach was given Pilot Blue Flag status, an important development stage towards achieving Full Status. Stilbaai’s neighbouring beach, Jongensfontein, also received Pilot Blue Flag status.
The Western Cape achieved the highest number of Blue Flag beaches (29) of the 45 beaches that have received full Blue Flag status while the Hessequa area is the proud region of a total of four Blue Flag beaches (Witsand and Gouritsmond included). It is the 12th consecutive year that Lappiesbaai beach achieved Blue Flag status while Preekstoel is a Blue Flag beach for the fourth season in a row.
What is Blue Flag? According to www.blueflag.org.za, Blue Flag is an international annual award given to beaches that meet a standard of excellence in the areas of safety, amenities, cleanliness, environmental information and environmental management. It is a voluntary eco-label for beaches (also marinas, whale-watching boats and other leisure boats) and has become a symbol of quality around the world.
The program is designed to raise environmental awareness and increase sound environmental management practices among tourists and the local population. In South Africa, the Blue Flag programme is managed by WESSA in partnership with participating coastal municipalities. The strict criteria of the programme are set by the international coordinators of the Blue Flag campaign in Europe, the FEE (Foundation for Environmental Education) with South Africa the first country outside Europe to be granted Blue Flag accreditation for its beaches.
The Blue Flag programme provides both local beach-goers and holiday-makers with the assurance of world class beaches offering safe, clean and well-managed facilities.
More on WESSA (Facebook) and www.wessa.org.za
Keep our beaches clean…
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Preekstoel Beach, Stilbaai East (Photo: www.mystilbaai.co.za)
