AN TAISCE 2006 INTERNATIONAL BLUE FLAG AWARDS
Ireland Awarded 84 Blue Flags
The Blue Flag Campaign is one of the most widely known, most recognised and valued ecolabels throughout Europe and beyond. It is awarded to beaches and marinas with excellent environmental management.
The International Jury awarded the Blue Flag to 2550 beaches and 638 marinas in 30 countries in the Northern Hemisphere. The Southern Hemisphere candidates will be awarded in September.
This year, Ireland has been awarded 84 Blue Flags by the International Blue Flag Jury, 81 for beaches and 3 for marinas. This is the highest number of Blue Flags ever achieved by Ireland and represents an increase of 2 flags over 2005. In total 88 applications were received for beaches and 4 for marinas.
The water quality of Irelands coastal designated bathing areas around large urban centres continues to improve with increased investment in waste water treatment plants.
To gain a Blue Flag, beaches have to meet 29 criteria and marinas 22 criteria covering; water quality, beach/marina management, safety, services and facilities, environmental education and information. Further explanation of the criteria for marinas is found in pdf below.
Three Irish marinas, two of which are in Co. Westmeath were awarded the Blue Flag this year which is down one since 2005. Several marinas have expressed interest in the award and we hope to see these numbers increase in the future. See Athlone Marina Code of Environmental Conduct pdf below.
2006 BLUE FLAG MARINAS-3
The marinas awarded for 2006 are:
Westmeath:
Killinure Point Marina, Glasson. This marina is managed by the Quigleys and Waveline. It is located on the inner Lakes of Lough Ree on the Shannon.
Westmeath:
Athlone Marina is managed by Athlone Town Council and is located right in the town on the Shannon.
Wexford:
Kilmore Quay Marina is operated by Wexford County Council and is our only coastal Blue Flag marina.
The International Jury is composed of representatives from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), International Lifesaving Association (ILS), European Union for Coastal Conservation (EUCC), the World Conservation Union (IUCN), an international Environmental Education expert, the International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA) and the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).
The International Blue Flag campaign is co-ordinated in Ireland by An Taisce- The National Trust for Ireland, with support from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and on behalf of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE,
www.fee-international.org
).
For further information contact:
Lucy Hunt, Irish Blue Flag Manager, An Taisce;
Tel:
01 400 2210
Email:
blueflag@antaisce.org
,
www.blueflagireland.org