Bikini Beach in Gordon’s Bay has maintained its blue flag status

This follows a national audit by Wildlife Society of South Africa (Wessa) submitted by the City of Cape Town. The organization used 33 criteria to determine if beaches countrywide meet the level of service excellence required for Blue Flag recognition. Each beach is measured in four categories – environmental education and awareness, water quality, environmental management, and safety services.

The criteria allow for an in-depth analysis of competence, including universal access, control of domestic animals, availability of interpretive signage, and effective waste management.

Bikini Beach is one of 10 Blue Flag beaches within the municipality to retain its status and mayor Dan Plato attributed this success to the environmental staff.

” These spaces are especially important as we head into the summer months, enabling residents to enjoy nature and the ocean while being able to safely social distance in line with Covid-19 regulations”, he related.

The international quality standards achieved at the 10 beaches are critical drivers, which encourages the economic growth of coastal areas. Residents and tourists can access a variety of leisure activities at these beaches.

Primarily, Blue Flag is an educational programme, designed to encourage participating municipalities to meet high environmental standards sustainably. The City’s Recreation and Parks Department has driven implementation of community environmental education with internal and external partners throughout the year.

These include efforts to reduce litter and remove microplastics, teaching the youth about kelp and caring for the sensitive biodiversity on the coastline, as well as wide distribution od educational materials on safe swimming areas and how to avoid rip currents.

On an operational level, much time has been invested in getting facilities ready to receive an influx of visitors for the season. For water quality, an independent laboratory has been appointed to work in conjunction with transversal teams and multiple processes to monitoring water quality at the beaches which are undergoing audits.

The Blue Flag season for Bikini Beach will run from 1 December to 31 January 2021 from 10:00 to 16:00 daily.

”We would like to congratulate the Recreation and Parks Department and all of the teams who worked tirelessly to once again achieve an exceptional milestone”, said Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee member for Community SErvices and Health.

”For many years now, the City has boasted the most Blue Flag beaches with full status in South Africa. Blue Flag is an excellent opportunity to attract international travellers, boost the economy and offers locals a beautiful place to enjoy this festive season.”

---

Source: District Mail