For the first time ever, five Mexican beaches have been awarded Blue Flag certification. The Blue Flag system is a voluntary, international eco-label program run by the non-government, non-profit organization the Foundation for Environmental Education that recognizes beaches where water quality is excellent, where information and environmental education is readily available, and which are well managed, with high standards of safety and services. The announcement was made in Copenhagen, Denmark, where Blue Flag certification was given to 3100 beaches and 625 marinas worldwide.
Mexico’s five Blue Flag beaches (see map) are:
- Chahué, Santa María de Huatulco, Oaxaca
- Chileno, in Los Cabos, Baja California Sur
- Delfines, in Cancún, Quintana Roo
- El Palmar, in Zihuatanejo, Guerrero
- Nuevo Vallarta Norte, on Banderas Bay in Nayarit
What does the Blue Flag system take into account?
The Blue Flag beach criteria are grouped into four main categories:
1. Environmental Education and Information
The beach must host at least 5 environmental education activities and display information about:
- coastal zone ecosystems and natural, sensitive areas in the coastal zone
- bathing water quality
- the Blue Flag system
- the code of conduct for the beach area
2. Water Quality
- Water quality must be “excellent” in line with international standards
- The beach must not receive any industrial or sewage-related discharges
- Any nearby coral reefs must be monitored to ensure they remain healthy
- Algae, seaweed, etc., should be left on the beach unless it adversely affects beach quality
3. Environmental Management
- A beach management committee must conduct regular environmental audits
- The beach must comply with coastal zone planning and environmental legislation
- The beach must be clean, with sufficient waste disposal and recycling bins
- There must be adequate and clean sanitary facilities
- Regulations must prevent unauthorized camping, driving and dumping
- Regulations concerning beach use by domestic animals must be enforced
- Sustainable means of transportation must be promoted in the beach area
4. Safety and services
The beach must have:
- first aid equipment and an adequate number of lifeguards and/or lifesaving equipment
- a system to manage beach use and prevent conflicts and accidents
- emergency plans to cover any unexpected pollution event
- safe access to the beach and regular safety patrols
- a supply of potable drinking water
- access and toilets for persons with disabilities
- a map showing the location of all facilities
Related posts:
- Two examples of Mexico-USA trans-border water pollution
- Swim at your peril through the murky data for Mexico’s beaches
- Major factual inaccuracies in “Water Pollution Plagues Mexico’s Scenic Pacific Coast”
- Map of the beaches of Colima, Jalisco and Nayarit, Mexico
- Protecting Mexico’s endangered marine turtles
- Cancellation of controversial Cabo Cortés mega-resort project in Mexico
- Can Mexico’s Environmental Agency protect Mexico’s coastline?
- Beach erosion in the tourist resort of Cancún, Mexico
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