DOCSLIB.ORG

Feasibility Study of Installing Artificial Bathing Platforms at the Northeast Coast of Malta Darren Bianco James Madison University

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Feasibility Study of Installing Artificial Bathing Platforms at the Northeast Coast of Malta Darren Bianco James Madison University James Madison University JMU Scholarly Commons Masters Theses The Graduate School Fall 2013 Feasibility study of installing artificial bathing platforms at the northeast coast of Malta Darren Bianco James Madison University Follow this and additional works at: https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/master201019 Part of the Recreation, Parks and Tourism Administration Commons Recommended Citation Bianco, Darren, "Feasibility study of installing artificial bathing platforms at the northeast coast of Malta" (2013). Masters Theses. 149. https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/master201019/149 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the The Graduate School at JMU Scholarly Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Masters Theses by an authorized administrator of JMU Scholarly Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Feasibility study of installing artificial bathing platforms at the northeast coast of Malta Darren Bianco A dissertation submitted to the Graduate Faculty of JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the degree of Master of Science Integrated Science and Technology November 2013 Dedication I would like to dedicate this dissertation to all those who participated in the public survey, my supervisor Dr. Anton Micallef for guiding me through the dissertation and last but not least my fiancée for assisting me during the long and arduous coastal survey from Sliema to Cirkewwa. i Acknowledgements I would like to express my gratitude to: Dr. Anton Micallef, Head ICoD, for suggesting me the idea of wooden decking and rock amalgam covered concrete platforms and for the support he gave me throughout. Mr. Vincent Attard, president of Nature Trust Malta, for giving me useful information about the Blue Flag Programme and for accepting my interview. Dr. Liberato Camilleri, from the Department of Statistics and Operations Research, University of Malta, for assisting me in the hypothesis testing using SPSS Statistics software and in the data transformation and analysis aspects of the questionnaire. Mr. H. Azzopardi, a Maltese blacksmith, for his thorough account of the cost of the metal base of the wooden decking platform and other ‘indirect’ costs related to the latter. Dr. Maria Papadakis from the Department of Integrated Science and Technology at James Madison University for helping me complete the IRB research protocol. My final words of thanks go to Mr. Ray Azzopardi at the MTA, Ms. Christine Tanti and Mr. Raphael Axiaq at MEPA who shared with me their thoughts about these artificial bathing platforms. ii The research work disclosed in this publication is partially funded by the Strategic Educational Pathways Scholarship (Malta). This Scholarship is part-financed by the European Union – European Social Fund (ESF) under Operational Programme II – Cohesion Policy 2007-2013, “Empowering People for More Jobs and a Better Quality Of Life”. iii Table of Contents Dedication ...................................................................................................................... i Acknowledgements ...................................................................................................... ii Abbreviations ............................................................................................................... x List of Tables ............................................................................................................... xi List of Figures ............................................................................................................ xiv Abstract ..................................................................................................................... xxii 1. Introduction .......................................................................................................... 1 Preface ............................................................................................................................ 1 1.1 Background to the study .................................................................................. 2 1.1.1 Malta’s tourism industry and current tourism policies .................................... 3 1.2 Rationale .......................................................................................................... 5 1.3 Hypotheses ...................................................................................................... 8 1.4 Research objectives ....................................................................................... 15 2. Literature Review ............................................................................................... 17 Preface .......................................................................................................................... 17 2.1 The Maltese coastline .................................................................................... 18 2.2 Low-lying karst rocky shores ........................................................................ 19 2.3 Public accessibility of the northeast coast of Malta ...................................... 20 2.4 Tourism development in Malta ..................................................................... 24 2.5 Beach nourishment ........................................................................................ 26 2.5.1 St. George’s bay nourishment project ........................................................... 29 2.5.2 Bugibba Perched Beach ................................................................................ 29 iv 2.6 The Blue Flag Eco Label ............................................................................... 30 2.7 Wooden decking platforms ........................................................................... 31 2.7.1 Microcostas Project Case Study - Vinaros, Spain ......................................... 31 2.7.2 Wooden decking materials ............................................................................ 33 2.8 Rock amalgam covered concrete platforms .................................................. 34 2.8.1 Overlaying procedure of the rock amalgam on existing concrete platforms 36 2.9 Public survey ................................................................................................. 36 2.9.1 Advantages and disadvantages of hand-delivered questionnaires ............... 37 3. Methodology ........................................................................................................ 38 Preface .......................................................................................................................... 38 3.1 Survey along the northeast coast of Malta .................................................... 39 3.2 Public survey ................................................................................................. 39 3.2.1 Questionnaire design (adapted from Micallef, 2002) .................................... 46 3.2.1.1 Individual question content ....................................................................... 47 3.3 Application of GIS software ......................................................................... 49 3.4 Application of GIMP to create photomontages ............................................. 52 3.5 Use of SPSS to present and analyze questionnaire results ............................ 54 3.5.1 Cross tabulations (contingency tables) and Chi-square ................................ 55 3.5.2 Friedman test ................................................................................................. 57 4. Results and Data Analysis .................................................................................. 59 Preface .......................................................................................................................... 59 4.1 Quantifying the costs of past beach nourishment projects and potential future artificial bathing platforms in Malta .................................................................. 60 4.1.1 St. George’s bay ............................................................................................ 60 4.1.2 Bugibba Perched Beach ................................................................................ 61 v 4.1.3 Wooden decking platforms ........................................................................... 62 4.1.4 Rock amalgam covered concrete platforms .................................................. 65 4.1.5 Cost of beach nourishment projects vs. artificial bathing platforms ............ 66 4.2 Additional beach users .................................................................................. 67 4.2.1 Wooden decking platforms ........................................................................... 67 4.2.2 Rock amalgam covered concrete platforms .................................................. 67 4.2.3 St. George’s Bay ........................................................................................... 68 4.2.4 Bugibba Perched Beach ................................................................................ 68 4.3 Socio-economic feasibility summary ............................................................ 68 4.4 Results from the field survey ........................................................................ 69 4.4.1 Sliema and St. Julian’s .................................................................................. 69 4.4.2 Pembroke and Bahar ic-Caghaq .................................................................... 72 4.4.3 Qawra, Bugibba, St. Paul’s Bay and Xemxija
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Awards for Improving the Coastal Environment: the Example of the Blue Flag
    Blue Flag Awards for Improving the Foundation for Coastal Environment: Environmental Education The example of the Blue Flag United Nations Environmental Programme United Nations World Tourism Organisation Caribbean Tourism Organization Caribbean Regional Sustainable Tourism Development Programme / European Union Foundation for Environmental Education Scandiagade 13 2450 Copenhagen SV Denmark Tel:+45 33 79 00 79 · Fax: +45 33 79 01 79 Email [email protected] · Web Site www.fee-international.org Email [email protected] · Web site www.blueflag.org United Nations Environment Programme Divison of Technology Industry and Economics Tour Mirabeau,39-43 quai André Citroën, 75739 Paris Cedex 15, France Tel +33.1.44.37.14.50 · Fax +33.1.4.37.14.74 E-mail [email protected] · Web site www.unep.org United Nations World Tourism Organization Capitán Haya 42 · 28020 Madrid, Spain Tel +34.91.567 81 00 · Fax +34 91 571 37 33 E-mail [email protected] · Web site www.world-tourism.org © Copyright 2006 FEE This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part and in any form for educational and non-profit purposes without special permission from the copyright holder, provided acknowledgement of the source is made. FEE would appreciate receiving a copy of any publication that uses this as a source. No use of this publication may be made for resale or for any other commercial purpose whatsoever without prior permission in writing from FEE. This report was financed by the European Union within the framework of the Regional Tourism Product Development Project of the Caribbean Tourism Sector Programme.The views expressed are those of the consultants and do not necessarily reflect those of the Caribbean Tourism Organization or the European Union.
    [Show full text]
  • Report on Activities for 2013 Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development (Abr
    Report on activities for 2013 Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development (Abr. Environmental Ambassadors, Acronym: EASD) www.ambassadors-env.com “Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development” develop and perform activities within the program areas: - Scientific, Innovative, Research and Professional Work & Expertise and Consulting - Education for Environment and Sustainable Development - Sustainable development - Environment. Page | 1 The full list of activities could be find at: http://ambassadors-env.com/en/news-archive/ Science promotion, research, expertise Scientific signals: EASD is developing e-“Scientific Signals”, on specific focused issues (and posted on the web site). Thematic issues in 2013: Scientific signals No 3: Science of the Total Environment Scientific signals No 2: Recognition Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development , in accordance with the Law on Science and Research, Article 276, paragraph 6, is recorded as organizations that promote and popularize science by the Centre for the Promotion of Science , competent to lead in Serbia scientific evidence, scientific and professional societies Assessments, expertise: Titles in 2013 includes: - Eye on EU approximation environmental challenges Research results presented to scientific community - Ranking of universities for 2013 - Chemical and Product Safety. Other expertise as the parts of particular projects, implemented by EASD. Papers, conferences, Conferences: EASD presented papers at: publications: - International Conference: Sustainable
    [Show full text]
  • One Health Caribbean Watch Caribbean
    CARIBBEAN WATCH August 2015 Caribbean One Health Newsletter Our People Our Animals Our Environment HEADS-UP! Zika Virus Alert The Caribbean is facing yet another emerging disease associated with the familiar Aedes aegypti mosquito; Zika Virus infection. With confirmed cases in Brazil, PAHO has issued an alert to the Americas. Individual countries, including Guayana, Trinidad and Tobago, Costa Rica and Jamaica, have issued national alerts through their respective Ministries of Public Health. Learn more about this emerging regional threat below: http://d15h3ts9pue03r.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/aedes-zika.jpg http://carpha.org/Portals/0/docs/ZIKA/Zika_virus_QnA.pdf http://www.cdc.gov/zika/geo/index.html Avian Influenza Alert As Avian Influenza reels across the US forcing several states to move into ‘plan-demic’ mode, Caribbean officials and members of the regional poultry sector are on high alert. Read more here and contact your local Ministry of Agriculture office for island –specific information: http://www.caribvet.net/en/news/2015/caribbean-scales-up- http://margitas-poultry.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/home-02.png preparedness-plans-for-avian-influenza Exercise Hummingbird In July 2015, the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), in collaboration with the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) hosted an Ebola simulation exercise in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. The regional capacity building exercise was entitled ‘Exercise Hummingbird’. Read more here: http://carpha.org/articles/ID/74/The-Caribbean-successfully- conducts-Ebola-simulation-exercise http://today.caricom.org/wp-content/uploads/cover-photo-cropped-1024x243.jpg Palytoxicosis With coral reefs under threat globally, there are strict legal restrictions pertaining to the acquisition and handling of live coral.
    [Show full text]
  • 00.0.Blue Flag
    1 2 3 CONTENTS 1. Final Report - Implementing Partner · Annex II/B 5 · Annex II/C 9 2. Summary Report on the National Workshops on Blue 11 Flag Beach Certification Programme in South Asia 3. National Workshop Reports 15 · Agenda · List of Participants · Presentations · Collective summary of answers obtained for the questionnaire prepared by SACEP 4. Documents Distributed at the National Workshop 51 5. Presentations by Ms. Alison Kelly, Expert, Foundation 193 for Environment 6. Presentation by Dr R. Venketasan, SASP Co-ordinator, SACEP 207 7. Mission Report 223 8. Draft Regional Project Proposal 225 9. Photos of National Workshops 229 4 5 Annex II/B Final Report – Implementing Partner 1. Background Information MoU brief title: 1.1. NaSmmalle S ocfa IPle F(cuonodpinegr Aatgrinege mageennt cy/supporting organization): 1.2. USoNEuthP Absuida gCeot- olipnee:rative Environment Programme (SACEP) 1.3. TFPotLa 4l 4b06ud-1ge1t4 f5r-o2m63 U2-N22EP07 1.4. MUSODU 12 St,a4r0t0in g date: 1.5. M15o/U12 C/o2m009ple tion date 1.6. Ove15/04ra/ll2 Ob010jec extitveensd eodf tuhpet oP 3roj1/ect05/10 1.7. The key objective of the present project is to initiate a national dialogue and to develop a regional project to pilot test the Blue Flag Programme for selected stretches of coast in the South Asian Region. This SSFA is made to support SACEP as the Secretariat of SASP to visit SAS member countries with an Expert on the adoption of voluntary initiatives such as Environmental Guidelines, Codes of Conduct and Certification Schemes to encourage commitment towards conservation on the requirement of beach certification.
    [Show full text]
  • Session 2 Annabel Fitzgerald 3.216 Mb
    Beach Awards & Clean Coasts Annabel FitzGerald Coastal Programmes Manager EEU An Taisce EPA National Water Event 11th June 2014 Presentation Overview Beach Awards The Blue Flag The Green Coast Award Clean Coasts & Citizen Engagement Marine Litter surveys & removal 2minutebeachclean Beat the Microbead 2014 Programme Funders & Sponsors The Blue Flag Blue Flag 1985 - 2014 • 1985 the concept of the Blue Flag, France • Criteria - bathing water quality & sewage treatment • 1987, European Year of the Environment - FEEE • 244 beaches & 208 marinas in 10 countries • 1988 Ireland join • 19 beaches & 2 marinas • 2001 FEEE becomes FEE • South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, New Zealand, Brazil, Canada and the Caribbean. • 2006 International set of criteria • 2009 Brazil agreement to implement standards of the rBWD • 2012 FEE General Assembly 25th Anniversary • 2014, 4000 Blue Flags in 48 countries 89.6% say it’s The Blue Flag in Irelandimportant when picking a beach 100 90 80 70 60 50 Marinas 40 Beaches 30 20 10 0 1988 1993 1998 2003 2008 2013 How is a Blue Flag awarded? • 32 criteria • Water quality • Information provision • Environmental management • Environmental Education • Safety & Services • Online application • National Jury • DOECLG, IWS, NPWS, EPA, UCD, TCD, Fáilte Ireland, ICRT, An Taisce • International Jury • UNEP, EEA, UNWTO, ILS, IUCN, EUCC, ICOMIA, FEE • Control Visits BF Identified Km of Coastline Country Beaches BW % BF Coast Parradox Spain 561 2161 26% 7,268 Greece 396 2162 18% 15,147 France 363 3331 11% 7,330 Portugal 298 543 55% 2,830
    [Show full text]
  • Feasibility of the Blue Flag Eco-Labelling Scheme for Beaches
    UIVERSITY OF MAURITIUS RESEARCH JOURAL – Volume 15 – 2009 University of Mauritius, Réduit, Mauritius Research Week 2007 Feasibility of the Blue Flag Eco-Labelling Scheme for Beaches in Mauritius Bye Salim Aliraja* Faculty of Engineering, University of Mauritius Email: [email protected] Soonil D D V Rughooputh Faculty of Science, University of Mauritius Email: [email protected] Paper Accepted on 25 May 2009 Abstract Beaches are very important to Mauritius not only for its tourism industry to expand but also for local recreation. Tourists are increasingly showing preferences for destinations that protect and preserve environment apart from their own safety. Various awards and quality assurance systems are in widespread use for promoting beach tourism worldwide. Such requirements are likely to boost Mauritian tourism and also help to alleviate poverty among poorer coastal communities. The Blue Flag (BF) is one of the most successful among such eco-labels that is awarded to beaches complying with specific criteria embracing water quality, environmental education and information, environmental management and safety and service facilities. One of the strengths of the BF concept lies in its approach towards Integrated Coastal Zone Management. BF is therefore an important tool towards sustainable coastal development. In this paper, the feasibility of introducing the BF in Mauritius with the purpose of awarding the BF status to its beaches is discussed. Our study reveals that: • existing environmental and tourism policies match the requirements of Blue Flag, • Mauritian institutional framework corresponds to the operational procedures of the BF scheme, • compliance with existing legislation on bathing water, waste-water treatment, legislation concerning beach use, and protection of natural sensitive coastal areas and the surrounding environment, Selected (eleven) public beaches of Mauritius showed that none of the beaches at present could be awarded the Blue Flag status, unless certain requirements are fulfilled.
    [Show full text]
  • Blue Flag Beach Criteria and Explanatory Notes 2014
    BLUE FLAG BEACH CRITERIA AND EXPLANATORY NOTES 2014 INTRODUCTION The Blue Flag programme for beaches and marinas is run by the international, non- governmental, non-profit organisation FEE (the Foundation for Environmental Education). The Blue Flag programme was started in France in 1985. It has been operating in Europe since 1987 and in areas outside of Europe since 2001, when South Africa joined. Today, Blue Flag has become a truly global programme with an ever-increasing number of countries participating in the programme. The Blue Flag programme promotes sustainable development in freshwater and marine areas. It challenges local authorities and beach operators to achieve high standards in the four categories of: water quality, environmental management, environmental education and safety. Over the years, the Blue Flag has become a highly respected and recognised eco-label working to bring together the tourism and environmental sectors at local, regional and national levels. The explanatory notes given in this document make up the common and shared understanding of the Blue Flag beach criteria and the requirements for the implementation thereof. The explanatory notes provide details on the measurement and management of compliance with the Blue Flag beach criteria. The criteria are categorised as either imperative or guideline. Most beach criteria are imperative, i.e. the beach must comply with them in order to be awarded Blue Flag accreditation. If they are guideline criteria, it is preferable that they are complied with, but not mandatory. It must be emphasised that the Blue Flag beach international criteria in this document are the minimum criteria. A national operator can choose to have stricter criteria to what is outlined here.
    [Show full text]
  • Awards for Improving the Coastal Environment: The
    AWARDS FOR sm. IMPROVING THE COASTAL ENVIRONMENT: THE EXAMPLE OF THE BLUE FLAG United Nations Environment Programme U \FP World Tourism Organization 1414 lit Foundation for Environmental Feee Education in Europe United Nations Environment Programme Industry and Environment IV V~ 39-43 quai André Citroen 75739 Paris Cedex IS UNEP France World Tourism Organization x ci Capithn Haya, 42 28020 Madrid 44t1 ID Spain Foundation for Environmental Education in Europe Fee* O lof Palmes Gade 10 DK-2100 København Denmark Copyright 1996 UNEP/WTO/FEEE This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part and in any form for educational or non-profit purposes without special permission from the copyright holder, provided acknowledgement of the source is made. UNEP would appreciate receiving a copy of any publication that uses this publication as a source. No use of this publication may be made for resale or for any other commercial purpose whatsoever without prior permission in writing from UNEP. First edition 1996 The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the United Nations Environment Programme concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Moreover, the views expressed do not necessarily represent the decision or the stated policy of the United Nations Environment Programme, nor does citing of trade names or commercial processes constitute
    [Show full text]
  • The First Blue Flag Beach in Trinidad and Tobago
    DECEMBER 2015 | VOLUME 5 - ISSUE 4 Photo: Tourism Development Company Panoramic view of Las Cuevas Bay. The First Blue Flag Beach in Trinidad and Tobago • Las Cuevas: The 1-3 Did you know that Las Cuevas Beach on Trinidad’s north coast has the singular First Blue Flag distinction of being the only Blue Flag Beach in the English-speaking countries of Beach in Trinidad the Southern Caribbean? and Tobago The Blue Flag is a world-renowned eco-certification for beaches and marinas. When you see a Blue Flag flying, you know the beach is clean and accessible; has • Life Below Waters 4-5 great water quality; meets high safety standards; and is working hard to protect local shorelines and ecosystems. • IMA Events and 6 Activities • The Blue Corner 8 (continued page 2) - The Shortnose Batfish PAGE 2 Las Cuevas: The First Blue Flag Beach in Trinidad and Tobago (con’t.) In 2008, the Tourism Development Company (TDC) Limited, an agency of the Ministry of Tourism, embarked on the implementation of the Blue Flag Programme in Trinidad and Tobago. Eventually on 16 January, 2015 the Blue Flag was raised at the Las Cuevas Beach Facility. As a testimony to the high standards maintained, this environmental award was conferred for a second season. The Blue Flag was proudly raised by the Honourable Shamfa Cudjoe, Minister of Tourism, on 17 November, 2015. What does the Blue Flag at the entrance to Las Cuevas Beach signify? The Blue Flag Programme, a voluntary certification scheme for beaches and marinas, promotes sustainable development in marine areas through environmental education.
    [Show full text]
  • Blue Flag Environmental Education Activities Book
    BLUE FLAG 2011 EDITION ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION ACTIVITIES BOOK FOUNDATION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION The Blue Flag is a programme from the Foundation for Environmental Education The Blue Flag Programme is sponsored internationally by: Corona Extra http://www.coronasavethebeach.org Beach-Tech http://www.beach-tech.com Shipmate http://www.shipmate.nl Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) is an international organisation that has been promoting environmental education for sustainable development since 1981. FEE is an umbrella organisation with member organisations in around 60 countries around the world. (www.fee-international.org) FEE is active in environmental education mainly through five programmes: · Blue Flag (www.blueflag.org · Eco-Schools (www.eco-schools.org) · Young Reporters for the Environment (www.youngreporters.org) · Learning about Forests (www.leaf-international.org) · Green Key (www.green-key.org) Through formal school education, training of staff, and awareness raising, FEE's programmes involve people of all ages and nationalities. WELCOME TO THE FIRST BLUE FLAG ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION ACTIVITY GUIDE Why this brochure? This brochure has been created for two main purposes: to help beach and marina managers to organise environmental education activities which fit with their goals and capacities; and to share good ideas throughout the Blue Flag network. What kind of Environmental Education? Environmental Education offers a broad framework that encompasses a number of different ideas and approaches to learning in, for or about the environment, in pursuit of sustainable development. The purpose of this guide is not to debate the different definitions, but to encourage a shared acceptance of the diversity of learning approaches. This introduction, therefore, offers a brief description of environmental education approaches and offers a simple classification to help users to navigate their way through the different activities and worksheets.
    [Show full text]
  • The Example of the Blue Flag
    Awards for Improving the Coastal Environment: The example of the Blue Flag Foundation for Environmental Education Scandiagade 13 2450 Copenhagen SV Denmark Tel:+45 33 79 00 79 · Fax: +45 33 79 01 79 Email [email protected] · Web Site www.fee-international.org Email [email protected] · Web site www.blueflag.org United Nations Environment Programme Divison of Technology Industry and Economics Tour Mirabeau,39-43 quai André Citroën, 75739 Paris Cedex 15, France Tel +33.1.44.37.14.50 · Fax +33.1.4.37.14.74 E-mail [email protected] · Web site www.unep.org United Nations World Tourism Organization Capitán Haya 42 · 28020 Madrid, Spain Tel +34.91.567 81 00 · Fax +34 91 571 37 33 E-mail [email protected] · Web site www.world-tourism.org © Copyright 2006 FEE This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part and in any form for educational and non-profit purposes without special permission from the copyright holder, provided acknowledgement of the source is made. FEE would appreciate receiving a copy of any publication that uses this as a source. No use of this publication may be made for resale or for any other commercial purpose whatsoever without prior permission in writing from FEE. This report was financed by the European Union within the framework of the Regional Tourism Product Development Project of the Caribbean Tourism Sector Programme.The views expressed are those of the consultants and do not necessarily reflect those of the Caribbean Tourism Organization or the European Union. First edition 2006 Cover artwork of the 2007 version by Pernille Koch Blue Flag International Sponsors 2 Foreword The Foundation for Environmental Education – FEE, is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation promoting sustainable development through environmental education and the running of its five programmes, Eco-Schools, LEAF, Young Reporters for the Environment, the Green Key and Blue Flag.The Blue Flag Programme is specifically focused on promoting sustainable development in the coastal tourism sector.
    [Show full text]
  • Blue Flag Beaches & Marinas
    BLUE FLAG : HOW THE BLUE FLAG PROGRAMME IRELAND’S BEAUTIFUL BLUE FLAG 30 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE WORKS BEACHES The Blue Flag season for beaches in Ireland coincides with the The International Blue Flag programme is operated in Ireland bathing season which runs from the beginning of June to the by An Taisce – The National Trust for Ireland with support from middle of September. The marina season extends until Decem- BLUE FLAG BEACHES the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and local ber. Each year the authority managing the beach or marina Government and on behalf of the Foundation for the Environ- applies for the Blue Flag award and an international jury de- ment Education (FEE). cides if the beach is eligible for the award. During the season & MARINAS inspectors assess each Blue Flag beach and marina to ensure y Ireland and Northern Ireland 2017 In 1987, the "European Year of the Environment", the Founda- compliance with the criteria. If there are any problems they are tion for Environmental Education (FEE) presented the French reported to the authorities and either the problem is rectified or concept to the European Commission, and the Blue Flag Pro- the Blue Flag is removed. gramme was launched as one of the year’s community activ- ities. This year the Blue Flag celebrates 30 years as an International programme. Torme Brian by Photo Bay: Keem The Blue Flag will be awarded to more than 4,250 beaches, marinas and sustainable boating tourism operators across 47 countries in 2017. In 1988 the first year Blue Flags were awarded in Ireland 19 beaches and 2 marinas were awarded.
    [Show full text]