Blue flag hoisted today!

Blue flag hoisted today!

Issued George Municipality, 8 December 2021

George Municipality is proud to announce the blue flag was hoisted today at Wilderness Beach, and a pilot blue flag at Herold’s Bay. Wilderness Beach has full Blue Flag status and Victoria Bay and Herold’s Bay both gained Pilot status.

Blue Flag is an international coastal management programme that accredits beaches that meet standards of excellence in water quality, environmental management, environmental education and information as well as safety and services. In South Africa the programme is implemented by the Wildlife Environmental Society of South Africa (WESSA).Following heavy rains on Monday, 6 December 2021 and flash floods of Monday 22nd November our cleansing teams have been working non-stop every day to remove debris from the beaches. The teams are still working at Victoria Bay.Blue Flag status offers many benefits including improved tourism facilities, enhanced management of coastal ecosystems, increased awareness of the coast and capacity building of coastal municipalities as well as carrying significant international merit. The Blue Flag season runs from 1 December 2021 to 31 January 2022. Compliance includes high standards of water quality monitoring, public safety and lifeguard services, and well-maintained coastal amenities. South Africa has participated in the Blue Flag programme since 2001.

Captions: Selenas: Acting Supervisor at Wilderness Beach, Virgil Carolus (far right) with our EPWP employees this morning (8 December 2021) with the hoisted Blue flag at Wilderness Beach.Caption

John Magwa Supervisor in Herold’s Bay with the pilot Blue Flag at the beach.

Cleaning crews from George Municipality Community Services cleaned the beach at Wilderness and Leentjiesklip until late yesterday. Teams are still clearing Victoria Bay beach of debris after heavy rainfall on Monday to be able to hoist the pilot Blue Flag at the beach.