DOLPHIN Beach at Jeffreys Bay is one of only six beaches across the Eastern Cape to have been awarded international Blue Flag status ahead of the 2019\/2020 summer season.<\/p>\n
Kouga Community Services Portfolio Councillor, Daniel Benson, and the municipality\u2019s Parks and Community Amenities Manager, Frank Tamboer, received the flag on behalf of the municipality at a function in Cape Town last week.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are very proud to have retained Blue Flag status for Dolphin Beach, as it confirms that Kouga is a holiday destination of international standard,\u201d said Benson.<\/p>\n
He said pilot Blue Flag status was also awarded to the Cape St Francis Beach.<\/p>\n
\u201cCertain improvements, including upgraded ablution facilities and proper beach access, are necessary before the beach qualifies for Blue Flag status. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe municipality will be working with the Department of Environmental Affairs\u2019 Working for the Coast teams to bring these improvements to fruition.\u201d<\/p>\n
A total of forty-five beaches, nine marinas and 10 tourism boats in total were awarded Blue Flag status across South Africa.<\/p>\n
Benson congratulated the St Francis Marina for being among the nine marinas countrywide to have achieved Blue Flag status. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe Blue Flag is an eco-label and forms part of Kouga\u2019s commitment to go green,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
\u201cKouga was recently placed second in the Eastern Cape Greenest Municipality awards and we are pleased to be able to build on our eco-achievements.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Blue Flag programme focuses on the conservation of marine and coastal habitats and is designed to raise environmental awareness and increase sound eco-practices among locals, visitors, beach managers and staff.\u201d<\/p>\n
Applications for the Blue Flag are reviewed annually by a South African and international jury panel. <\/p>\n
To achieve the status as many as 33 criteria, spanning over four areas of coastal management, must be maintained.<\/p>\n
The four areas are water quality, environmental education information, environmental management and safety services.<\/p>\n
It is managed by the Wildlife and Environmental Society of South Africa (Wessa), the implementing partner of the programme for the national Department of Tourism.<\/p>\n
The 2019\/2020 Blue Flag season runs from November 1, 2019 to April 30, 2020.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
DOLPHIN Beach at Jeffreys Bay is one of only six beaches across the Eastern Cape to have been awarded international Blue Flag status ahead of the 2019\/2020 summer 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